Lustrous, dark hardwood floors ground this classic blue and white dining room. Photography by Patrik Rytikangas

In this fabulous dining room, we mixed the traditional with contemporary design. Yes you can mix it up. We chose to anchor the room with a color pallette of blue white and orange. The rug is a chain link design with a background of orange with blue as the chain link. We duplicated the design onto the ceiling. We chose to drape the table in a custom tablecloth in an overscaled floral pattern in navy and white. We drew from the navy and painted the walls using it. The table cloth fabric was also used as the drapery fabric. On the drapery, we chose to use an inverted pleat and use chrome nail heads as the detailed anchor. Its all in the details that make it special. The table is set using a blue and white color pallete as well sprinkled iwth the orange from the rug. We chose to mix up the plating using a white dinner plate, blue ikat patterned salad plate and a sorbet glass to add height. The napkin is an orange and white egyptian pattern. Every table should have a center piece so we chose a pair of white lacquered urns which we filled with a white orchid ball. The center of the table has a white porcelian horse to provide interest. Over the dining table, we chose this beautiful orchid chandelier from Austrialia. It is made of mylar and is spectaclur. A true focal point! At the opposite end of the room, we placed a pair of silver chests with a pair of bulbous lamps in white. Centered over the top of these chests is a flamed mirror in chrome. You don't have to have a single long chest as a console, a pair works just as well and is also unexpected. For the artwork we chose a series of three long painting which we selected not only because of their beauty but for their shape. One is an original from an artist that we admire, the other two are images we found captivating and placed on lucite. Enjoy!

City Living

Anita Clark Design

This partial renovation including modifications to the existing kitchen, all new appliances, custom countertops, backsplash, addition of a gas fireplace and mantel design, all new plumbing fixtures, redesign of master en-suite including the master bathroom, the addition of a walk in master closet and additional storage in every opportunity possible that every city dwelling can never have enough of … it also including the refurbishment of the hardwood floors, paint and crown moulding throughout and custom window treatments with new recessed and decorative lighting.

Southbank Penthouse

Alexander Pollock Interiors

Nicole England

Arthur Rutenberg Home

William Quarles Photography

Photography by William Quarles. Custom Built Home by Arthur Rutenberg Homes/Chuck Lattif, President Coastal Premier Homes LLC/clattif@arhomes.com

REX

Whitney Lyons

Claremont

Lucas Eilers Design Associates, LLP

VisuaLingual home/HQ

Your Friends & Neighbors

Major remodel and addition

Provenance Builders

Contemporary Kitchen Sitting Area

The Design Firm

Philadelphia Federal

Michele Plachter Design

Photography by Andrea Cipriani Mecchi

Crushed Velvet Chaise Lounge

Fishpools Furniture Store & Interior Designers

Fishpools Furniture does Mansion House Style.

Maison C, Bois Colombes

Olivier Chabaud Architecte - Paris & Luberon

Olivier Chabaud

Flying Point

Benco Construction

Social Gathering Nook: Christmas at the beach

Blue Envelope Designs, LLC

Margaret volney

After Photo of Orchard Park Dining Room

Q interiors

After photo of the dining room.

Modern Dining Room

Twice As Nice Interiors

Modern space on the south shore Long Island over looking the beach! Great color scheme to achieve a serene but modern vibe.

Colonial Calabasas

Fetherolf Development

Bala Cynwyd Mid-Century by Design Manifest

Design Manifest

A modern dining space is warmed up with bold blue textiles. Image by Courtney Apple

Dining room joinery in dark veneer

Improva

Blue Dining Room Design Ideas with Dark Hardwood Floors

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!