Inspiration for a contemporary dining room in Sydney with white walls, plywood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Dining Room

J. Lawrence Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized country dining room in Little Rock with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Dining Room

Jules Duffy Designs

Photographed by Laura Moss
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional dining room in New York with blue walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Hilltop Spanish Mediterranean Home

Allen Construction

Beautiful Spanish tile details are present in almost every room of the home creating a unifying theme and warm atmosphere. Wood beamed ceilings converge between the living room, dining room, and kitchen to create an open great room. Arched windows and large sliding doors frame the amazing views of the ocean. Architect: Beving Architecture Photographs: Jim Bartsch Photographer

Victorian Country House

Laura Passey Interiors Ltd

Elegant Dining Room
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Surrey with yellow walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and wallpaper.

Dining Room

FIONA DUKE INTERIORS

Photo of a transitional dining room in Hertfordshire with blue walls, light hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Colonial Revival

Alisberg Parker

Benjamin Moore's Blue Note 2129-30 Photo by Wes Tarca
Photo of a transitional kitchen/dining combo in New York with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and blue walls.

400 qm Atrium Bungalow in Bayern - Renovierung und Interior Design

freudenspiel - interior design

Die dunklen Bodenfliesen wurden durch helle, matte Fliesen in Betonoptik ersetzt und die schwarzen Holzdecken weiß gestrichen. Interior Design: freudenspiel by Elisabeth Zola Fotos: Zolaproduction

Brighton Seaside Escape

Susan Venn Design

This is an example of a contemporary open plan dining in Other with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Cherry Hills Village Remodel

KGA Studio Architects, PC

Large traditional dining room in Denver with blue walls, a standard fireplace, brown floor, dark hardwood floors and a stone fireplace surround.

Interiors

THE PAINT CENTERS

Photo of a mid-sized country separate dining room in Other with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Surrey Mansion

Stephenson Wright Ltd

Photo of a traditional separate dining room in Surrey with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and decorative wall panelling.

Beach House in Bayhead

ML Interior Designs

Design ideas for a beach style open plan dining in New York with white walls, light hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Newport Beach

True Home Builders

Mid-sized beach style dining room in Orange County with yellow walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Lantern House on the River

Cannarsa Structure and Design

Design ideas for a transitional kitchen/dining combo in Grand Rapids with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, brown floor, grey walls and vaulted.

Dutch Townhouse

Henry Arvidsson Photography

Henry Arvidsson
Photo of a scandinavian separate dining room in Other with green walls, medium hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Fulham

Staple and Tack Upholstery

Jenna Laxton | Anna Gentzel
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury open plan dining in London with green walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and beige floor.

Plant. Collection Room Sets

Plant. Collections

Contemporary separate dining room in London with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and grey floor.

Georgian Townhouse

Woolf Interior Architecture & Design

Design ideas for a transitional dining room in Other with blue walls, medium hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Kitchen and Master Bathroom Remodel, Seattle

Armada Design & Build

Design ideas for a transitional open plan dining in Seattle with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor, timber and vaulted.

Turquoise Dining Room Design Ideas with a Standard Fireplace

A 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 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 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 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!