This stunning home embellishes modern country living. The surrounding farmland and valley views are exquisitely framed throughout by clever design features and a vast array of materials including expanses of glass, stone and steel structures. Upon entry, you are greeted by a series of feature ponds which flow through to the rear lap pool, alluring you into the homes charm and tranquillity.

Ormond New Contemporary Residence

Sketch Building Design

Photographer: Natalie Jeffcott
Design ideas for a contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Kitchen/Dining

Drift Interiors

Design ideas for a large contemporary open plan dining in Wollongong with white walls, light hardwood floors and a two-sided fireplace.

HAMPTONS IN HENLEY BEACH

Claridge Construction

Photo of a contemporary open plan dining in Adelaide with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Meals/Living

Third Element Studio

Transitional open plan dining in Melbourne with medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, brown floor and exposed beam.

Central Residence

Dylan Barber Building Design

Large contemporary open plan dining in Geelong with concrete floors.

Pavilion House

Sheri Haby Architects

Mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with medium hardwood floors, white walls and brown floor.

Barkly Street

S&A Stairs

Where form meets class. This stunning contemporary stair features beautiful American Oak timbers contrasting with a striking steel balustrade with feature timber panelling underneath the flight. This elegant design takes up residence in Mazzei’s Royal Melbourne Hospital Lottery home.

Berkeley Vale Home

AMA Studio Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized beach style open plan dining in Sydney with white walls, concrete floors and grey floor.

Custom design and build

Horizon Homes

First impression count as you enter this custom-built Horizon Homes property at Kellyville. The home opens into a stylish entryway, with soaring double height ceilings. It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. And that’s literally true with this home. With the kitchen in the centre of the ground floor, this home provides ample formal and informal living spaces on the ground floor. At the rear of the house, a rumpus room, living room and dining room overlooking a large alfresco kitchen and dining area make this house the perfect entertainer. It’s functional, too, with a butler’s pantry, and laundry (with outdoor access) leading off the kitchen. There’s also a mudroom – with bespoke joinery – next to the garage. Upstairs is a mezzanine office area and four bedrooms, including a luxurious main suite with dressing room, ensuite and private balcony. Outdoor areas were important to the owners of this knockdown rebuild. While the house is large at almost 454m2, it fills only half the block. That means there’s a generous backyard. A central courtyard provides further outdoor space. Of course, this courtyard – as well as being a gorgeous focal point – has the added advantage of bringing light into the centre of the house.

U House

C. Kairouz Architects

Open plan dining space connected to kitchen & living room with wall of cabinetry that hides a mirrored bar and views outside.
This is an example of a modern open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Oakhill ranch conversion

Terri Sears, Kitchen and Bath Designer

Photo of an expansive transitional open plan dining in Nashville with medium hardwood floors, brown floor and vaulted.

Agoura Hills Equestrian

805 Interiors, Inc.

Photo by Christopher Lee Foto
This is an example of a mid-sized mediterranean open plan dining in Los Angeles with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Dining

Forst Construction, Inc.

custom built
Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style open plan dining in Other with white walls and light hardwood floors.

Contemporary Dining Room

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Boston with grey walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

Haus im Ammertal

LARS POPP & FRIENDS

Photo of a mid-sized scandinavian open plan dining in Munich with white walls, concrete floors, a wood stove, a plaster fireplace surround, grey floor and wood.

Квартира для молодой девушки в Рассказово

Наталья Широкорад

Photo of a mid-sized traditional open plan dining in Moscow with yellow walls, medium hardwood floors and beige floor.

Artists Haven

Joe McGuire Design

Aptly titled Artist Haven, our Boulder studio designed this private home in Aspen's West End for an artist-client who expresses the concept of "less is more." ⁠ In this extensive remodel, we created a serene, organic foyer to welcome our clients home. We went with soft neutral palettes and cozy furnishings. A wool felt area rug and textural pillows make the bright open space feel warm and cozy. The floor tile turned out beautifully and is low maintenance as well.⁠ We used the high ceilings to add statement lighting to create visual interest. Colorful accent furniture and beautiful decor elements make this truly an artist's retreat. --- Joe McGuire Design is an Aspen and Boulder interior design firm bringing a uniquely holistic approach to home interiors since 2005. For more about Joe McGuire Design, see here: https://www.joemcguiredesign.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://www.joemcguiredesign.com/artists-haven

Lincoln Park Japandi Loft

Devon Grace Interiors

One of our favorite parts of the design is the gallery wall that we curated above our staircase. We filled almost every inch of the wall, and that’s the only place we have personal photos in the whole home. Today, it’s full of pictures from our wedding and honeymoon, but over time we can swap the frames out so it’s ever-evolving.

Young Rd Residence

Jill Litner Kaplan Interiors

Photo of a large transitional open plan dining in Boston with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and coffered.

White Open Plan Dining 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!