Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW As with most projects, it all started with the kitchen layout. The home owners came to us wanting to upgrade their kitchen and overall aesthetic in their suburban home, with a combination of fresh paint, updated finishes, and improved flow for more ease when doing everyday activities. A monochromatic, earth-toned palette left the kitchen feeling uninspired. It lacked the brightness they wanted from their space. An eat-in table underutilized the available square footage. The butler’s pantry was out of the way and hard to access, and the dining room felt detached from the kitchen. Lead Designer, Stephanie Cole, saw an improved layout for the spaces that were no longer working for this family. By eliminating an existing wall between the kitchen and dining room, and relocating the bar area to the dining room, we opened up the kitchen, providing all the space we needed to create a dreamy and functional layout. A new perimeter configuration promoted circulation while also making space for a large and functional island loaded with seating – a must for any family. Because an island that isn’t big enough for everyone (and a few more) is a recipe for disaster. The light white cabinetry is fresh and contrasts with the deeper tones in the wood flooring, creating a modern aesthetic that is elevated, yet approachable for everyday living. With better flow as the overarching goal, we made some structural changes too. To remove a bottleneck in the entryway, we angled one of the dining room walls to create more natural separation between rooms and facilitate ease of movement throughout the large space. At The Kitchen Studio, we believe a well-designed kitchen uses every square inch to the fullest. By starting from scratch, it was possible to rethink the entire kitchen layout and design the space according to how it is used, because the kitchen shouldn’t make it harder to feed the family. A new location for the existing range, flanked by a new column refrigerator and freezer on each side, worked to anchor the space. The very large and very spacious island (a dream island if we do say so ourselves) now houses the primary sink and provides ample space for food prep and family gathering. The new kitchen table and coordinating banquette seating provide a cozy nook for quick breakfasts before school or work, and evening homework sessions. Elegant gold details catch the natural light, elevating the aesthetic. The dining room was transformed into one of this client’s favorite spaces and we couldn’t agree more. We saw an opportunity to give the dining room a more distinguished identity by closing off the entrance from the foyer. The relocated wet bar enhances the sophisticated vibe of this gathering space, complete with beautiful antique mirror tiles and open shelving encased by moody built-in cabinets. Updated furnishings add warmth. A rich walnut table is paired with custom chairs in a muted coral fabric. The large, transitional chandelier grounds the room, pairing beautifully with the gold finishes prevalent in the faucet and cabinet hardware. Linen-inspired wallpaper and cream-toned window treatments add to the glamorous feel of this entertainment space. There is no way around it. The laundry room was cramped. The large washer and dryer blocked access to the sink and left little room for the space to serve its other essential function – as a mudroom. Because we reworked the kitchen layout to create more space overall, we could rethink the mudroom too – an essential for any busy family. The first step was moving the washer and dryer to an existing area on the second floor, where most of the family’s laundry lives (no one wants to carry laundry up and down the stairs if they don’t have to anyway). This is a more functional solution and opened up the space for all the mudroom necessities – including the existing kitchen refrigerator, loads of built-in cubbies, and a bench. It’s hard to not fall in love with every detail of a new space, especially when it serves your day-to-day life. But that doesn’t mean the clients didn’t have their favorite features they use on the daily. This remodel was focused largely on function with a new kitchen layout. And it’s the functional features that have the biggest impact. The large island provides much needed workspace in the kitchen and is a spot where everyone gathers together – it grounds the space and the family. And the custom counter stools are the icing on the cake. The nearby mudroom has everything their previous space was lacking – ample storage, space for everyone’s essentials, and the beloved cement floor tiles that are both durable and artistic.

9322 Lansing

Hartley Brothers Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized country dining room in Other with grey walls, vinyl floors and brown floor.

Breakfast Nook

CS Thomas Construction

Breakfast nook with reclaimed mixed hardwood floors.
Country dining room in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Cheyenne Plan - Aubrey Creek Estates

Impression Homes

Breakfast Nook
Photo of a traditional dining room in Dallas with ceramic floors and vaulted.

Presidio Heights Residence

Charlie Barnett Associates

Photography by Werner Straube
Photo of a traditional dining room in San Francisco with brown floor.

Fresh Elegance Full Home Remodel in Santa Clara

Memmo Interiors

Small transitional dining room in San Francisco with white walls, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Scarborough Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Renovation

The Good Home - Interiors & Design

Design ideas for a country dining room in Portland Maine with beige walls, light hardwood floors and exposed beam.

Weston Bauhaus

DANE AUSTIN INTERIOR DESIGN Boston & Cambridge

The interior of this spacious, upscale Bauhaus-style home, designed by our Boston studio, uses earthy materials like subtle woven touches and timber and metallic finishes to provide natural textures and form. The cozy, minimalist environment is light and airy and marked with playful elements like a recurring zig-zag pattern and peaceful escapes including the primary bedroom and a made-over sun porch. --- Project designed by Boston interior design studio Dane Austin Design. They serve Boston, Cambridge, Hingham, Cohasset, Newton, Weston, Lexington, Concord, Dover, Andover, Gloucester, as well as surrounding areas. For more about Dane Austin Design, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://daneaustindesign.com/weston-bauhaus

Farmhouse

ARDIN interior design

Design ideas for a country dining room in Charleston with white walls, light hardwood floors and exposed beam.

Project

Jennifer's Interior Design

This is an example of a transitional dining room in Nashville with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Bright and Sunny Breakfast Room

Laura Lee Home

This open concept breakfast area off the kitchen is the hardest working room in the house. The show stopping sea glass chandelier sparkles as light streams in the windows overlooking the pool area. A pair of original abstract artwork in blue and white adorn the space. We mixed Sunbrella outdoor fabric chairs with leather seats that can be wiped off when the inevitable spill happens. An outdoor rug hides crumbs while standing up the wet feet tracking in from the adjacent patio and pool area.

Breakfast Room

Megan Bailey Interiors

This is an example of a small transitional dining room in Dallas with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and vaulted.

As Hot as BLUE Blazes

RSZ Design Development

Breakfast Area
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional dining room in Other with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, grey floor and timber.

Edis Street | Bright | Bold | Elegant

HUX London

Settling here from overseas, the owners of this house in Primrose Hill chose the area for its quintessentially English architecture and bohemian feel. They loved the property’s original features and wanted their new home to be light and spacious, with plenty of storage and an eclectic British feel. As self-confessed ‘culture vultures’, the couple’s art collection formed the basis of their home’s colour palette. Originally set over four-storeys, the property was tall and narrow with boxy rooms, which made it feel dark and poky. Custom joinery was designed in a myriad of different styles for each room to house the family’s belongings. The ceiling height was increased to create a bright, open family kitchen-diner, which leads to a courtyard garden. There’s a fresh, energetic palette, with aqua-blue and white kitchen cabinetry complemented by fashionable ice cream shades in the dining area. A colourful bespoke rug and contemporary artwork provide the finishing touches. Custom-made cabinetry sits within an alcove housing children’s books, toys and a TV, while further storage is concealed beneath a smart upholstered banquette. In the master suite, a corridor of stylish soft pink panelling conceals floor-to-ceiling wardrobes and leads to a stunning antique mirrored doorway, behind which is a generous marble-clad en-suite bathroom.

Flat in Kensington, London

iortz photo

Contemporary dining room in London with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Martha's Vineyard Summer Home

Thom Lindsley LLC

Photo of a transitional dining room in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Open Floor Plan Living

popix designs

Photo of a small contemporary dining room in Los Angeles.

Scarborough Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Renovation

The Good Home - Interiors & Design

Country dining room in Portland Maine with beige walls, light hardwood floors, exposed beam and wood walls.

Oxford Street Breakfast Room

Jamie House Design

Our client’s are a busy young family who entertain frequently and needed a warm, welcoming, and practical home. They prefer a clean almost minimal traditional style. We kept the color palette to whites, grays, and navy. We used the dramatic Navy Blue to punch up the dining room, accent the kitchen, and in furnishings in the living room.

PURE Madison Residence - As Seen In Western Living Magazine

PURE Design Inc.

Photo of a contemporary dining room in Vancouver with white walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Breakfast Nook White Dining Room Design Ideas

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!