Tickled Pink

Tracy Lynn Studio

Douceur de vivre à Paris

Miriam Gassmann

Menlo Transitional

Supple Homes, Inc

East Dallas Colorful Mid Century Ranch Renovation

Stacy Markow Photography

Lovely in La Jolla

Margaret Dean at Design Studio West

Cabinetry designed by Margaret Dean, Design Studio West and supplied by Rutt Fine Cabinetry.

Greenway Parks

Ryan Street Architects

Concord House

kelly mcguill home

Coastal Transitional

White Sands Coastal Development

Our clients built their Manhattan dream house years ago, but a couple of decades in, the yellow and green palette seemed stale. We brightened the home with new paint and countertops, white oak flooring and updated carpet, custom fixtures and furniture, and new finishes, window treatments, and accessories. For enhanced functionality, we added built-in storage throughout, reupholstered existing furniture and the breakfast nook in performance fabric, and created a custom dining table that seats a dozen. To keep the dining room coastal and informal, we paired plush head chairs with rattan-backed side chairs and accented with sea-foam and sandy-hued floor and window coverings. The addition of a murphy bed, as well as shelving and file storage, made the office more suited to their growing family’s needs. In the second office, a standing desk, as well as a customized craft desk with built-ins for specific supplies, transformed the area into a completely personalized and effective space. New furniture and a ceiling-length fireplace facade of soft ivory and gray stone transformed the family room into a cozy and welcoming retreat. The overall effect is a home that feels spacious, beachy, and comfortable.

The Collingham Project

Making Spaces

Modern European Residence

Deep River Partners

Creating smaller areas within a large kitchen creates everyday flexibility. The gallery serves as the understated approach to the primary suite and also provides a smaller dining experience for the homeowners for morning coffee overlooking their backyard. The cozy nook radiates the mood of a Euro café. Glass spans the length of the gallery, flooding it with year-round sunlight. Wood flooring in the kitchen transitions to a deeply-hued natural slate, warming the white perimeter. French doors connect easily to the outside spaces and are capped with arched windows to express the transom theming.

Tedworth Square

Oliver Buckle

Breakfast Nook Dining Space

Mitchell Construction Group

Breakfast nook area off the side of the kitchen and near a new living room with an entrance to the back deck

Corona Del Mar Contemporary Residence

Ryan Rosene Photography

Kitchen Dining Nook with large windows, vaulted ceilings and exposed beams.

2021 SOUTHERN LIVING IDEA HOUSE

Marvin

The 2021 Southern Living Idea House is inspiring on multiple levels. Dubbed the “forever home,” the concept was to design for all stages of life, with thoughtful spaces that meet the ever-evolving needs of families today. Marvin products were chosen for this project to maximize the use of natural light, allow airflow from outdoors to indoors, and provide expansive views that overlook the Ohio River.

Modern Farmhouse

Lauren Jacobsen Interior Design

This contempoary breakfast room is part of the larger kitchen. Perfect for smaller meals early morning before work or school. Upholstered chairs in citron green fabric for comfort and a classic mid-century design Tulip table all grounded with a light-colored hide rug. Simple design, edited colors and textures, make for the best result here.

Waterfront Cottage

Chango

Interior Design, Custom Furniture Design & Art Curation by Chango & Co. Construction by G. B. Construction and Development, Inc. Photography by Jonathan Pilkington

Fitler Square Townhouse

Kaminski + Pew

Dining area with round white lacquer table, brass chandelier, leather seating, and ripplefold drapery wall.

Coastal Farmhouse

Nexus Building and Design

Aspen Homes - Issaquah

True Custom Cabinetry

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!