This active couple with three adult boys loves to travel and visit family throughout Western Canada. They hired us for a main floor renovation that would transform their home, making it more functional, conducive to entertaining, and reflective of their interests. In the kitchen, we chose to keep the layout and update the cabinetry and surface finishes to revive the look. To accommodate large gatherings, we created an in-kitchen dining area, updated the living and dining room, and expanded the family room, as well. In each of these spaces, we incorporated durable custom furnishings, architectural details, and unique accessories that reflect this well-traveled couple’s inspiring story.

Falmouth Renovation

Distinctive Interiors

This is an example of a beach style dining room in Boston with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and panelled walls.

Master Suite Addition & Interior Renovation - Dunwoody

Innovative Design Build

Our design team listened carefully to our clients' wish list. They had a vision of a cozy rustic mountain cabin type master suite retreat. The rustic beams and hardwood floors complement the neutral tones of the walls and trim. Walking into the new primary bathroom gives the same calmness with the colors and materials used in the design.

19348 Collier Ave

Build 4 You Inc.

This is an example of a transitional dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor, panelled walls and decorative wall panelling.

Robin Project

3SI Design

Transitional dining room, wood table, black chairs, olive tree, and organic artwork
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in DC Metro with panelled walls.

Woodruff, Arcadia Residence

Architecturae Group

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with white walls, beige floor and panelled walls.

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.

Garden Oasis l Renovation

My House Design/Build/Team

To accommodate a larger great room space, we installed new steel beams and reconfigured the central stairway. We moved the more formal dining room to the front of the house. It’s accessible through the new butler’s pantry. This new configuration, with an eating nook added beside the kitchen, allows for a seamless flow between the family room and the newly opened kitchen and eating area. To make cooking and being organized more enjoyable, we added a recycling pull-out, a magic corner, spice pull-outs, tray dividers, and lift-up doors. It’s details like these that are important to consider when doing kitchen renovations.

Contemporary Dinette Area

AR DESIGN

Design ideas for a large contemporary dining room in Montreal with grey walls, porcelain floors, white floor and panelled walls.

Ault View Classic Dining Room

Winding Lane Interiors

This gorgeous dining room is ready for a party! The chippendale-style chairs are upholstered in a sumptuous but stain-resistant velvet, and the tortoiseshell table is almost to pretty to eat on! Blue and pink accents accentuate the fun but still classic feel of this beautiful space.

The Shores at Bonnet Point

RIKB Design Build

Whole house remodel in Narragansett RI. We reconfigured the floor plan and added a small addition to the right side to extend the kitchen. Thus creating a gorgeous transitional kitchen with plenty of room for cooking, storage, and entertaining. The dining room can now seat up to 12 with a recessed hutch for a few extra inches in the space. The new half bath provides lovely shades of blue and is sure to catch your eye! The rear of the first floor now has a private and cozy guest suite.

Modern Shingle home: Formal Dinning Room

Gregory Ralph, Architect

Inspiration for a modern separate dining room in New York with blue walls, brown floor and panelled walls.

Dining Room Sconces

Fratantoni Luxury Estates Design/Build/Remodeling

Formal dining room with a tray ceiling, custom millwork, crown molding, and marble floor.
Photo of an expansive mediterranean open plan dining in Phoenix with beige walls, marble floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, white floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Vivienda en Eixample

KALEIDOSCOPE Arquitectura e Interiorismo

Fotografía: Germán Cabo
Design ideas for a large contemporary open plan dining in Valencia with grey walls, medium hardwood floors and panelled walls.

Nobles Point 4

SHELTER Custom-Built Living

Photo of an expansive modern open plan dining in Charleston with white walls, light hardwood floors, panelled walls, a tile fireplace surround and a corner fireplace.

Wellington Charmer

Total Home

After - Dining Room
Design ideas for a small contemporary dining room in Ottawa with white walls, laminate floors, beige floor and panelled walls.

Heavenly Hawthorn House

Caroline Touzeau Design

Photo of a contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, exposed beam, vaulted and panelled walls.

Assure Thing

SGDI - Sarah Gallop Design Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional separate dining room in Vancouver with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Proyecto y obra P55_4

Hela Alvarado

Inspiration for a contemporary dining room in Madrid with white walls, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and panelled walls.

Old Town Craftsman

Sayler Studio

This is an example of a small dining room in Orange County with blue walls and panelled walls.

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!