Expansive traditional open plan dining in Boston with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor and coffered.

English Cottage on Vaulx Ln

Gill Design Co.

The dining room serves the modern family as a gathering place for informal meals and special occasions alike.
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Nashville with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Old Towlston Mill Custom

James McDonald Associate Architects, PC

Traditional separate dining room in DC Metro with red walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

San Francisco Victorian

AND Interior Design Studio

AND Interior Design Studio
Photo of a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in San Francisco with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Meadows, Betchworth

Vita Architecture Ltd

Jon Reid, Arch Photos
Inspiration for a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Surrey with white walls, travertine floors, no fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and yellow floor.

Elegant family residence in Summer Hill

Pilcher Residential

Pilcher Residential
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

The Captain's Quarters

CK Architects

Photo of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Bridgeport with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

Major Renovation of Estate Home

Gerry Dunleavy Construction

This dining room features custom mahogany mantle and over mantle encompassed with custom fluted pilasters and crown molding. The floor to ceiling smoked mirrors ensure that all guests at the table enjoy the vista. The fireplace is brick with a marble hearth and marble surround.

Home on Portland's Eastern Promenade

Megan Booth, Photographer

Photo: Megan Booth mboothphotography.com
Design ideas for a large traditional kitchen/dining combo in Portland Maine with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Custom mirrored facades

Alexander Otis collection Llc.

Hidden wine storage refrigerators on both sides of the fireplace.
Mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Dallas with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

FULL RENOVATION PROJECT SOUTH SHORE MONTREAL

SV Design

FURLAPHOTO
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Montreal with bamboo floors, a corner fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Hancock St. Renovation

Leonardo Construction

Designer: Ashley Roi Jenkins Design http://arjdesign.com/ Photography: Christopher Pike

Beaumont

Bachly Construction

Large traditional separate dining room in Toronto with black walls, dark hardwood floors, a wood stove, a tile fireplace surround and brown floor.

Residential Interiors #2

Emma Wood Photos

Scandinavian inspired traditional Victorian terraced house dining room
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional separate dining room in Sussex with white walls, painted wood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and grey floor.

Queen Anne Victorian, Fairfield, Iowa

Belltown Design LLC

One of a variety of stained glass windows in this Victorian Era home, all of which have now been fully restored! This one was unearthed from the inside of a walled in area; a hidden gem - with a bountiful fruit basket imagery. Queen Anne Victorian, Fairfield, Iowa. Belltown Design. Photography by Corelee Dey and Sharon Schmidt.

Project Highlights

User

Traditional dining room in New York with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Living Room

Blackstone Painters

With years of experience in the Nashville area, Blackstone Painters offers professional quality to your average homeowner, general contractor, and investor. Blackstone Painters provides a skillful job, one that has preserved and improved the look and value of many homes and businesses. Whether your project is an occupied living space, new construction, remodel, or renovation, Blackstone Painters will make your project stand out from the rest. We specialize in interior and exterior painting. We also offer faux finishing and environmentally safe VOC paints. Serving Nashville, Davidson County and Williamson County.

East Melbourne House

ZGA STUDIO

This grand old room was restored and pared back to achieve a simple yet sophisticated elegance. The floorboards were stripped back, new lighting was installed, and the room was repainted. A blend of contemporary and antique furniture and art complements this balance of old and new. Photography by Dianna Snape.

Cuttyhunk House

Richard Brown Architects

Dining area just off kitchen. A special effort was made to take advantage of the spectacular view of Martha's Vineyard. The clients liked the idea of using old furniture, a lot of which they got on the island.

Custom Renovation

Connaughton Construction

An elegant dining room with details of high ceilings, classic wall molding, and oak floors. Beautiful decor adds to the ambiance with crystal chandeliers and rich tapestry complimenting windows and walls. This corner turret adds seating near the window overlooking Marlborough Street. A wonderful seating for people watching, bird watching, or simply the elegance of the surrounding brownstones of Back Bay Boston.

All Fireplace Surrounds Victorian Dining Room Design Ideas

A Victorian 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 Victorian 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 Victorian 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 Victorian 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!