What a stunning view. This custom kitchen is breathtaking from every view. These are custom cabinets from Dutch Made Inc. Inset construction and stacked cabinets. Going to the ceiling makes the room soar. The cabinets are white paint on maple. The island is a yummy walnut that is gorgeous. An island that is perfect for snacking, breakfast or doing homework with the kids. The glass doors were made to match the exterior windows with mullions. No detail was over looked. Notice the corner with the coffee makers. This is how a kitchen designer makes the kitchen perfect in beauty and function. Countertops are Taj Mahal quartzite. Photographs by @mikeakaskel. Designed by Dan and Jean Thompson

Breakfast area

Rose & Lily Interiors

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional dining room in Atlanta with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Custom Built In Cabinetry with Floating Shelves

Boyce Design + Build

A pair of brass swing arm wall sconces are mounted over custom built-in cabinets and stacked oak floating shelves. The texture and sheen of the square, hand-made, Zellige tile backsplash provides visual interest and design style while large windows offer spectacular views of the property creating an enjoyable and relaxed atmosphere for dining and entertaining.

Dry Bar at Dining Room

Pleasant Barn Road

Dry bar in dining room. Custom millwork design with integrated panel front wine refrigerator and antique mirror glass backsplash with rosettes.
Photo of a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Princeton Ave

Round Table Design

Photo of a transitional separate dining room in Austin with pink walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Contemporary apartment by Whitespace

Whitespace

Sunny, airy and carefree, the dining room is the epitome of a breezy summer’s day. A large open display unit filled with handpicked curios stimulates visual interest while adding cheer to the decor scheme. “We perpetuated the living room aesthetic with a base palette of white, while cutting the monotony with bright yellows and blues. We were particular about maintaining a European sensibility by way of colour, material and texture. We used royal blues, whites, greys and wines to curate a colour spectrum reminiscent of Europe. We complemented these hues with muted fabrics and subtle patterns, and plenty of pine wood.

Blackheath Restoration

Imperfect Interiors

The dining room in our Blackheath restoration project was panelled in a dark wood which contrasts with the paler oak herringbone parquet floor, a William Morris electric bind & pair of velvet armchairs panelled ceiling

1930's doer-upper transformed into a beautiful modern family home

My Bespoke Room

Tracy, one of our fabulous customers who last year undertook what can only be described as, a colossal home renovation! With the help of her My Bespoke Room designer Milena, Tracy transformed her 1930's doer-upper into a truly jaw-dropping, modern family home. But don't take our word for it, see for yourself...

Paradise Valley - Caballeros

Laura Kehoe Design

Design ideas for a transitional open plan dining in Phoenix with white walls, grey floor, wallpaper and panelled walls.

Seagull Two Project

White Horse Design

Transitional separate dining room in Philadelphia with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, vaulted and panelled walls.

Noe Valley

Brooks McDonald Architecture

This is an example of a transitional kitchen/dining combo in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and panelled walls.

Architecture Photography for Arterberry Cooke

Weller Photography

Transitional dining room in Los Angeles with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, panelled walls and planked wall panelling.

Transit

Thomas Philips Woodworking LTD.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional open plan dining in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Valencia at Viera - St. Martin Model Dining Room

Masterpiece Design Group

The intent of the antique mirror feature wall was to create a vibe of old world meets new world intertwined. The built-in wine display is a splendid touch for the space. Introducing different wood tones in the floor, ceiling, and furniture gives the space the warmth and depth needed.

Happy Traditional Home

Cooper Interiors

Design ideas for a transitional separate dining room in New York with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, panelled walls, decorative wall panelling and wallpaper.

Multi-Room

Living Beautiful Decorating LLC

This is an example of a transitional dining room in Dallas with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Boxford Beauty

Beige and Bleu Design Studio

Design ideas for a large transitional separate dining room in Boston with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood fireplace surround, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Glamorous Kitchen, Dining and Living Renovation with Entertaining in Mind

Corinthian Fine Homes

This young family began working with us after struggling with their previous contractor. They were over budget and not achieving what they really needed with the addition they were proposing. Rather than extend the existing footprint of their house as had been suggested, we proposed completely changing the orientation of their separate kitchen, living room, dining room, and sunroom and opening it all up to an open floor plan. By changing the configuration of doors and windows to better suit the new layout and sight lines, we were able to improve the views of their beautiful backyard and increase the natural light allowed into the spaces. We raised the floor in the sunroom to allow for a level cohesive floor throughout the areas. Their extended kitchen now has a nice sitting area within the kitchen to allow for conversation with friends and family during meal prep and entertaining. The sitting area opens to a full dining room with built in buffet and hutch that functions as a serving station. Conscious thought was given that all “permanent” selections such as cabinetry and countertops were designed to suit the masses, with a splash of this homeowner’s individual style in the double herringbone soft gray tile of the backsplash, the mitred edge of the island countertop, and the mixture of metals in the plumbing and lighting fixtures. Careful consideration was given to the function of each cabinet and organization and storage was maximized. This family is now able to entertain their extended family with seating for 18 and not only enjoy entertaining in a space that feels open and inviting, but also enjoy sitting down as a family for the simple pleasure of supper together.

Russian Hill view property

EAG Studio

Transitional separate dining room in San Francisco with black walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, wallpaper and panelled walls.

Chester Street

ND Studios

Photo of a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in London with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Transitional Dining Room Design Ideas with Panelled Walls

A transitional dining room can be used for casual dining, integrated into an open plan and connected to the living and kitchen areas; or as a formal space reserved solely for entertaining. While it may not be used frequently, it is a great focal point in the home, and requires little furnishings. Here's what you need to consider before you start planning a new dining room...

How will you use your dining room?

First, consider how frequently you will use the space. If you plan on using your transitional dining room on a daily basis, a casual dining set-up with sturdy, long-lasting furniture is best. As for where you position it – well, any unused space in the home can be converted into a casual dining space, whether it be at the end of a kitchen island, or at the bottom of the stairs. A formal dining room, on the other hand, is more suited to a dedicated space, which is more common in heritage homes where space originally wasn’t at a premium. Perhaps you want your dining room to multi-task and accommodate everyday meals, homework sessions and grown-up dinner parties… If that’s the case, furniture is key. Look for versatile dining tables in either Australian or New Zealand hardwood or weathered timber for a more rustic look. These won’t show up sticky fingerprints as much and can be dressed up for guests.

What size and shape should your dining table be?

Your transitional dining table should be able to seat all family members with some room for additional guests – each person should have at least 60 centimetres of space at the table. The right size, however, also depends on how much room you have. A general rule of thumb is to leave no less than 1 metre from the dining table to the wall or any additional furniture, so people have enough room to comfortably move around the space. Rectangular dining tables are versatile and can work in a variety of settings, while oval dining tables are more traditional and can turn any meal into an occasion. If you have a tight space to work in, a round dining table is best, and also a great option if you want to encourage conversation. A square dining table can be a dramatic addition to a dining room, but only if you have the space. It allows everyone at the table to see each other, but the bigger the table, the harder it will be able to hold a conversation with someone at the other end.

What type of dining chairs should you choose?

Once you’ve decided on a dining table, look for transitional dining chairs that share a common design element. If your dining table legs are curved, for example, try to match them with dining chairs that have a similar curve, either in the legs or back. Next, consider the dimensions of the chair. The height of your dining chairs should allow at least 30 centimetres between the top of the seat and the top of the table. And to keep your tush happy, avoid dining chairs narrower than 45 centimetres.

How can you decorate your dining room?

Dining rooms are relatively minimal spaces, but that makes them a great place to splash a little colour through artwork, especially if yours is a formal dining room. If your dining room is lacking warmth, consider painting the walls a deep shade of red or blue, or go contemporary with black or grey. A cosy rug will make the space feel more intimate, while a sideboard or cabinet of curiosities will further personalise the space. Often overlooked, dining room lighting can also drastically alter the mood of a room, creating drama, spurring romance or encouraging conversation. Opt for soft lighting in the dining area with dimmer switches, and choose oversized pendants in large, open spaces or to make the dining area more of a focal point. Finally, add some table settings, such as a lace tablecloth for a whimsy feel, or a more basic table runner for a chic look. If you need some help designing your dining room, consider checking the Houzz directory of interior designers, home stylists, cabinet makers and more!