A beautiful open plan allows for a nice entertaining space that is still cozy and bright. Photo credit: Bob Fortner Photography

Luxurious Farmhouse

Kelli Webber - Designer

Contemporary lines with traditional touches brings the dining room of this renovated farmhouse into the modern world lifestyle.

Dining Room Feature Wall – Contemporary Loft

CSI - All Things Stone

A modern, open concept space with a large rustic dining table and our stone veneer on the fireplace accent wall – West Coast Ledgestone by Pangaea® Natural Stone. The blues and browns in this stone complement the wood and white elements of this contemporary loft. Click to learn more about this stone and how to find a dealer near you: https://www.allthingsstone.com/us-en/product-types/natural-stone-veneer/pangaea-natural-stone/ledgestone/

Highlands, NC Vacation Home

User

My client collects quilts and this is one of her favorites. Rather than relegate them to a chest or on beds, I used this as one of the inspirations for the color scheme. She had the table and chairs in storage and was thrilled to finally be able to incorporate them. If you notice, the leather chair from the entrance is in the foreground, easy to pull in for extra seating. Notice the rooster on the wall by the door. Photo Credit: Robert Thien

West Portal Renovation

Cline Architects

Appartement Michel Ange 140m2 à Paris 16 ème

Isabelle Le Trung studio

Complete Home Remodel in Studio City

Spazio LA

The dining room and kitchen area were completely transformed with a new open floor plan for a spacious and bright look. The space features all new black aluminum windows and french doors, original floors restained with a light grey color and all new recessed lights. The floor plan also opens up to the living room, featuring a new electric fireplace with concrete looking Venetian plaster on the wall with recessed TV and in wall speakers.

Formal Dining Room used in a Contemporary manner

TOC design & construction inc.

This small, but casual space was once the living room, but the flow did not make sense. Prior to the remodel, the old dining room was tucked away in a corner of the house. Guest never felt comfortable in this space. After rethinking the design and removing un necessary wall, an open concept was created between the kitchen and the dining room, only problem was that an open concept usually means contemporary, modern style. My clients love to entertain formal affairs, so it was up to me to create a formal dining room in a contemporary environment. The process was easy, by adding a header to the opening this allowed me to shape the room in a formal rectangular manner and installing contemporary crown moldings, using a symmetrical formal formula, I added wood tiles to ceiling and an over sized lighting fixture, (believe it or not I found this light fixture where they specialize in pool tables) Because of the space constraint I could not find that perfect dining room table, so back to the drawing board to design one custom made, I wanted the feel of old world charm but the lightness of clean contemporary lines. I found a product that inspired me – Bamboo plywood from Smith and Fongs Plyboo, The natural and warmth of this Leed product was the perfect attraction to this room and by creating a 3 inch thickness to the surface I was able to take a rustic material and transform it into a contemporary art piece, I even asked my mill-worker to use the balance and make a lazy-susan for the center piece of the table, this make entertaining a breeze, - no more “ can you pass the salt please” Built-ins on either side of the gas fireplace blending in with the light colors of the walls where added for extra storage and objet d’art pieces, that the home owners collected through their travels. Simple, comfortable low back leather chairs where placed. This room represents dining at its finest without feeling stuffy, yet by adding Chrystal glass wear, porcelain place setting and silk linens this room can easily entertain guests wearing evening gowns and tuxedos. Photo by: Drew Hadley

Rénovation Appartement Haussmannien Paris V

Isabelle Le Rest Intérieurs

Grands Horizons

Daisy D Déco

AMÉNAGEMENT D’UNE PIÈCE DE VIE Pour ce projet, mes clients souhaitaient une ambiance douce et épurée inspirée des grands horizons maritimes avec une tonalité naturelle. Le point de départ étant le canapé à conserver, nous avons commencé par mieux définir les espaces de vie tout en intégrant un piano et un espace lecture. Ainsi, la salle à manger se trouve naturellement près de la cuisine qui peut être isolée par une double cloison verrière coulissante. La généreuse table en chêne est accompagnée de différentes assises en velours vert foncé. Une console marque la séparation avec le salon qui occupe tout l’espace restant. Le canapé est positionné en ilôt afin de faciliter la circulation et rendre l’espace encore plus aéré. Le piano s’appuie contre un mur entre les deux fenêtres près du coin lecture. La cheminée gagne un insert et son manteau est mis en valeur par la couleur douce des murs et les moulures au plafond. Les murs sont peints d’un vert pastel très doux auquel on a ajouté un sous bassement mouluré. Afin de créer une jolie perspective, le mur du fond de cette pièce en longueur est recouvert d’un papier peint effet papier déchiré évoquant tout autant la mer que des collines, pour un effet nature reprenant les couleurs du projet. Enfin, l’ensemble est mis en lumière sans éblouir par un jeu d’appliques rondes blanches et dorées. Crédit photos: Caroline GASCH

Craftsman Model Home Talon's Reach

Matt Lancia Signature Homes

Residenza in Villino Ottocentesco

ZPSTUDIO

Vintage Modern Renovation in Wayne

Larina Kase Interior Design

Our clients had this dining set-- in fact her father made the chairs! We designed the space around it.

Relaxed family home in Kensington, W8

Jemimah Barnett

Golden Colorado Bachelor Pad

TAB Interior Designs LLC

The dining, living, & kitchen is all in one open space so we had really make sure everything complemented and flowed nicely. It is a mountain home, contemporary, loft vibe with industrial touches. The beautiful area rugs help show division of spaces and the custom sectional with plush upholstery really brings life to the space in a condo neutralized with a light, creamy beige paint color throughout. The shelving unit allow space to display more military memorabilia and the fun mirrors help to add soft curves and spaciousness to the space.

Adirondack Style Craftsman, Seattle, WA

Belltown Design LLC

This "blue moose" sits in the corner, framed by custom, linen drapery, with leaf patterned hardware. With so much interior fir wood, this rustic ambiance, is fraught with personal objects and collections! Craftsman, Adirondack Style, Seattle, WA, Belltown Design, Photography by Paula McHugh

Open Concept Coastal Dining and Living Room

Michael Molesky Interior Design

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware open concept coastal dining and living room by Michael Molesky. Round oversized pedestal dining table seats 12. Beige sectional is upholstered in a durable family friendly fabric. Large beach photo sets the tone for the space.

723 Windsor

Pillar 3 Design Group

Pillar 3 turned this formerly dark kitchen/great room into a light and bright haven.

Silverlake/Brier

Landmark Building Inc

Custom dining room by Landmark Building Inc.

A unique project combining elegance and comfort

Mon Concept Habitation - London

This project is the result of research and work lasting several months. This magnificent Haussmannian apartment will inspire you if you are looking for refined and original inspiration. Here the lights are decorative objects in their own right. Sometimes they take the form of a cloud in the children's room, delicate bubbles in the parents' or floating halos in the living rooms. The majestic kitchen completely hugs the long wall. It is a unique creation by eggersmann by Paul & Benjamin. A very important piece for the family, it has been designed both to allow them to meet and to welcome official invitations. The master bathroom is a work of art. There is a minimalist Italian stone shower. Wood gives the room a chic side without being too conspicuous. It is the same wood used for the construction of boats: solid, noble and above all waterproof.

Dining Room Design Ideas with a Standard Fireplace

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!