Living & Dining Room
Midcentury open plan dining in San Francisco with multi-coloured walls, white floor, timber and panelled walls.

Maplewood II Project

Victoria Balson Interiors

This is an example of a beach style dining room in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

3rd Street

Space Intervention

Photo of a transitional separate dining room in Los Angeles with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, coffered, recessed, panelled walls and wallpaper.

The Kensington | Bellevue, WA

JayMarc Homes

The Kensington's dining room combines elegance and warmth to create a welcoming space for gathering and enjoying meals. The black window trim adds a touch of contrast against the white walls, while the golden chandelier and hardware add a luxurious and sophisticated feel. The grey chairs provide a modern and stylish seating option around the dining table. A grid wall adds visual interest and texture to the room. The hardwood floor brings a natural element and warmth to the space. A potted plant adds a refreshing touch of greenery. A rug defines the dining area and adds comfort underfoot. The white painted cabinets and trim contribute to the bright and airy atmosphere. Wooden beams on the ceiling add a rustic and charming element. The Kensington's dining room is a beautiful blend of classic and contemporary design, creating a perfect setting for memorable meals and enjoyable gatherings.

Buffet Styling

Natassja Designs, LLC

Dinette design and styling by Allie Strabala, Designer for Natassja Designs
This is an example of a country dining room in Columbus with panelled walls.

Морской бриз

Наталья Преображенская | Бюро «Уютная Квартира»

Светлая столовая зона в общем пространстве кухни-гостиной, оформленная в оттенках серого, молочного и цвета морской волны. Абстрактная картина в золоченой раме, перекликающиеся бра и современная люстра, настенные молдинги. Чтобы сохранить визуальную легкость пространства, выбран элегантный стол со скругленными краями на двух ножках. Общий дух столовой отсылает к ар-деко и современной классике. | A bright dining area in the common space of the kitchen-living room, decorated in shades of gray, milky and sea green. An abstract painting in a gilded frame, echoing sconces and a modern chandelier, wall moldings. To preserve the visual lightness of the space, an elegant table with rounded edges and two legs was chosen. The overall spirit of the dining room is reminiscent of Art Deco and modern classics.

Streeterville Apartment II

Eva Quateman Interiors

Werner Straube Photography
Photo of a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in Chicago with white walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Chapel Hill Modern Traditional

Catherine French Design, LLC.

This is an example of a traditional separate dining room in Raleigh with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, panelled walls and decorative wall panelling.

Pequot

Cynthia Hayes Interior Design

This is an example of a beach style dining room in Providence with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Lake of the Woods

Glas Associates

A view from the kitchen of this nautical-inspired living and dining space with a large stone fireplace and built-ins. Photo by Ashley Avila Photography

Двухкомнатная квартира в ЖК "Кутузовский Лайф"

Архитектурная студия Катерины Майер

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Moscow with laminate floors, beige floor and panelled walls.

Contemporary Shingle Style

Scott Simpson Design + Build

Eat-in kitchen seating with interior transom windows let in the natural light in. Wood-panel feature wall and dramatic hanging box light.
This is an example of a contemporary dining room in Chicago with panelled walls.

Engel Drive

Cherry Hill Custom Homes

The formal dining room is right off the entry way. A decorative ceiling treatment, wainscoting, and a polished nickel light fixture give the space some character.

Irena by the Sea

Katie Rainey Design

Modern dining chairs from CB2 add visual interest while paneling on the walls add texture to this dining space.
Inspiration for a small beach style dining room in Los Angeles with grey walls and panelled walls.

Элегантная квартира с элементами ар-деко

Наталья Преображенская | Бюро «Уютная Квартира»

Светлая столовая в общем пространстве кухни-гостиной, оформленная в беловатых оттенках серого, молочного, розоватого цвета с легкой голубизной. Мягкие стулья-кресла с броскими аксессуарами — ручками-кольцами для выдвижения, которые напоминают морские кольца на причале. Общий дух столовой отсылает к ар-деко и современной классике. | A bright dining place in the common space of living room, decorated in whitish shades of gray, milky, pinkish color with a slight blue. The upholstered chairs is supplemented with eye-catching rings handles, which resemble the sea rings on the pier. The overall spirit of the dining room refers to Art Deco and modern classics.

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.

New England Cape

Refined Renovations & Refined Home

This kitchen nook was added as the perfect spot for morning coffee or share a family meal. Traditional panelling was used to wrap the room, topped with a colorful wall paper. Custom window treatments, pillows and bench cushions add the necessary softness and warmth.

Home on the Plains - Magnolia Journal Feature Project

Kelsey Leigh Design Co.

Photo of a large transitional dining room in Oklahoma City with light hardwood floors 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.

Good Bones, New Vibe, Plano

Nicole Arnold Interiors

Room by room, we’re taking on this 1970’s home and bringing it into 2021’s aesthetic and functional desires. The homeowner’s started with the bar, lounge area, and dining room. Bright white paint sets the backdrop for these spaces and really brightens up what used to be light gold walls. We leveraged their beautiful backyard landscape by incorporating organic patterns and earthy botanical colors to play off the nature just beyond the huge sliding doors. Since the rooms are in one long galley orientation, the design flow was extremely important. Colors pop in the dining room chandelier (the showstopper that just makes this room “wow”) as well as in the artwork and pillows. The dining table, woven wood shades, and grasscloth offer multiple textures throughout the zones by adding depth, while the marble tops’ and tiles’ linear and geometric patterns give a balanced contrast to the other solids in the areas. The result? A beautiful and comfortable entertaining space!

White Dining Room Design Ideas with Panelled Walls

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!