F&B Kitchens

Farrow & Ball

Maida Vale Family Home

Landor Design

Broom Cottage

Hampshire Design Consultancy Ltd.

Extension to cottage to provide dining room open plan to kitchen and family living room. New decking to the garden area over a flat roof of a garage/store, better transition to the garden, bring more light into the inside space. New ground floor WC and utility room.

Phil Green

Set within the Carlton Square Conservation Area in East London, this two-storey end of terrace period property suffered from a lack of natural light, low ceiling heights and a disconnection to the garden at the rear. The clients preference for an industrial aesthetic along with an assortment of antique fixtures and fittings acquired over many years were an integral factor whilst forming the brief. Steel windows and polished concrete feature heavily, allowing the enlarged living area to be visually connected to the garden with internal floor finishes continuing externally. Floor to ceiling glazing combined with large skylights help define areas for cooking, eating and reading whilst maintaining a flexible open plan space. This simple yet detailed project located within a prominent Conservation Area required a considered design approach, with a reduced palette of materials carefully selected in response to the existing building and it’s context. Photographer: Simon Maxwell

Skandinavisk Matplats

Colourful Islington Family Home

User

The kitchen/dining area uses a range of textures and colours to create a warm, original space. Photo Andrew Beasley

Décoration d'une salon/salle à manger dans le 8ème - 35 m²

ERA architecture

Tiny House in Ballsbridge

houseology

Philip Lauterbach

DRUMCONDRA

Hausman Architectural Technology

DAVID MANIGO

In The Frame

Apropos Conservatories

Apropos Conservatories Bespoke Lean To Conservatory | Open Plan Dining/Kitchen Area | Let The Outdoors In

Suit for Ten

Egue y Seta

Wohnbereich mit skandinavischem Touch

99chairs

KITCHEN EXTENSION GARDEN VIEW

Convert Construction Ltd

Tom Lee

23rd Street Residence

Dawson & Clinton

When asked by a client for a home that would stand up against the best of hotel suites, Dawson and Clinton created this Noe Valley residence. To fulfill the request, significant square footage was added to the home, and an open floor plan was used to maximize the space in the bedroom while replicating the feel of a luxury suite. The master bedroom is designed to flow between the home’s terraces, connecting the space in a way that breaks down the relationship between exterior and interior In renovating the bathrooms, designers worked to modernize the aesthetic, while finding space to complement residence with improved amenities, such as a luxurious double shower. The use of glass was prevalent throughout, as a way to bring light down into the lower levels, resulting in what is the home's most striking feature- the staircase.

Family House in North London

VORBILD Architecture

The rear of the property has been extended to the side and opened up into the garden with aluminium French doors with traditional divisions. The kitchen is Italian, with recessed metal handles and a light coloured marble worktop, which encompasses the freestanding kitchen island on three sides. The fronts have been painted in a Farrow and Ball colour. The floor tiles are hand made, on top of underfloor heating. Photography by Chris Snook

Family House in North London

VORBILD Architecture

Kitchen Extension and Garden Workshop in Dalston

Architect Your Home

This beautiful kitchen extension has a plywood timber ribbed ceiling that allows the light to seep down through the structure creating wonderful shapes to a magical effect.

Trumpington

Parsons Gray {interior decoration + design}

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!