Formal dining space in large open concept great room

Built in banquette seating in open style dining. Featuring beautiful pendant light and seat upholstery with decorative scatter cushions.

Surfside Farmhouse

interiorstyle

Table and Sideboard: ABODE Half Moon Bay Custom Window Coverings

Woodland Hills Residence

Studio Danel

Welcome to Woodland Hills, Los Angeles – where nature's embrace meets refined living. Our residential interior design project brings a harmonious fusion of serenity and sophistication. Embracing an earthy and organic palette, the space exudes warmth with its natural materials, celebrating the beauty of wood, stone, and textures. Light dances through large windows, infusing every room with a bright and airy ambiance that uplifts the soul. Thoughtfully curated elements of nature create an immersive experience, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors, inviting the essence of tranquility into every corner. Step into a realm where modern elegance thrives in perfect harmony with the earth's timeless allure.

Fovero RLM Gooseneck Light Fixtures

HTM Lighting Solutions

25°

KIRI ARCHITECTS

Photo: Ikuya Sasaki

Highland House

Ryan Duebber Architect, LLC

Dramatic Lines l Renovation

My House Design/Build/Team

The family who owned this 1965 home chose a dramatic upgrade for their Coquitlam full home renovation. They wanted more room for gatherings, an open concept kitchen, and upgrades to bathrooms and the rec room. Their neighbour knew of our work, and we were glad to bring our skills to another project in the area. Choosing Dramatic Lines In the original house, the entryway was cramped, with a closet being the first thing everyone saw. We opened the entryway and moved the closet, all while maintaining separation between the entry and the living space. To draw the attention from the entry into the living room, we used a dramatic, flush, black herringbone ceiling detail across the ceiling. This detail goes all the way to the entertainment area on the main floor. The eye arrives at a stunning waterfall edge walnut mantle, modern fireplace. Open Concept Kitchen with Lots of Seating The dividing wall between the kitchen and living areas was removed to create a larger, integrated entertaining space. The kitchen also has easy access to a new outdoor social space. A new large skylight directly over the kitchen floods the space with natural light. The kitchen now has gloss white cabinetry, with matte black accents and the same herringbone detail as the living room, and is tied together with a low maintenance Caesarstone’s white Attica quartz for the island countertop. This over-sized island has barstool seating for five while leaving plenty of room for homework, snacking, socializing, and food prep in the same space. To maximize space and minimize clutter, we integrated the kitchen appliances into the kitchen island, including a food warming drawer, a hidden fridge, and the dishwasher. This takes the eyes to focus off appliances, and onto the design elements which feed throughout the home. We also installed a beverage center just beside the kitchen so family and guests can fix themselves a drink, without disrupting the flow of the kitchen. Updated Downstairs Space, Updated Guest Room, Updated Bathrooms It was a treat to update this entire house. Upstairs, we renovated the master bedroom with new blackout drapery, new decor, and a warm light grey paint colour. The tight bathroom was transformed with modern fixtures and gorgeous grey tile the homeowners loved. The two teen girls’ rooms were updated with new lighting and furniture that tied in with the whole home decor, but which also reflected their personal taste. In the basement, we updated the rec room with a bright modern look and updated fireplace. We added a needed door to the garage. We upgraded the bathrooms and created a legal second suite which the young adult daughter will use, for now. Laundry Its Own Room, Finally In a family with four women, you can imagine how much laundry gets done in this house. As part of the renovation, we built a proper laundry room with plenty of storage space, countertops, and a large sink.

Maison en Blanc New Build

JDL Homes Vancouver

Braeside Residence

Synthesis Design Inc.

The top floor was designed to provide a large, open concept space for our clients to have family and friends gather. The large kitchen features an island with a waterfall edge, a hidden pantry concealed in millwork, and long windows allowing for natural light to pour in. The central 3-sided fireplace creates a sense of entry while also providing privacy from the front door in the living spaces.

Modern Farmhouse Dining Room - Nantucket Graphite, Red Oak, Solid Hardwood

Impressions Flooring Collection

Scarboro Residence

Uniik Design

Mid century modern dining room featuring walnut dining table and chairs. Black and gold accents compliment the blue shiplap feature wall beautifully.

Robinhood Residence

Clark Richardson Architects

The dining room is bright and spacious with copious views of the exterior greenery.

Meadowbank Farmhouse

Muci Architecture

High ceilings rake down toward a low verandah and a series of framed views over the farm.

Coastal Farmhouse

C&C Designs LLC

昭和小路の長屋Ⅱ Rowhouse on Showa-Koji St. II

山本嘉寛建築設計事務所 yyaa

出窓は磨りガラスに変更し、格子を外して柔らかく光を取り入れている。(撮影：笹倉洋平)

Surfside Farmhouse

interiorstyle

Custom Window Coverings, Farmhouse Chandelier, Communal Dining Table and Sideboard - ABODE Half Moon Bay

Sandy Bay Indoor/Outdoor Living

Sills van Bohemen Architects

Kitchen, dining and living areas extend out to exterior living porch.

Transitional Dining Room

Dining Room Design Ideas with Light Hardwood Floors and Planked Wall Panelling

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!