We used 11’ tall steel windows and doors separated by slender stone piers for the exterior walls of this addition. With all of its glazing, the new dining room opens the family room to views of Comal Springs and brings natural light deep into the house. The floor is waxed brick, and the ceiling is pecky cypress. The stone piers support the second floor sitting porch at the master bedroom. Photography by Travis Keas

Whistler Ridge, Whistler, BC

Kristen Mcgaughey

Tony Soluri

Novi Condo renovation

Tutto Interiors

Crenshaw Residence

Jordan Iverson Signature Homes

Esszimmer

Fenchel Wohnfaszination

Fenchel Wohnfaszination GmbH

Atherton Pool House

Johnston Home Interior Design

Konstrukt Photo

Traditional Kitchen Phoenix

Caine & Company

This remodel was for a family that purchased a new home and just moved from Denver. They wanted a traditional design with a few hints of contemporary and an open feel concept with the adjoining rooms. We removed the walls surrounding the kitchen to achieve the openness of the space but needed to keep the support so we installed an exposed wooden beam. This brought in a traditional feature as well as using a reclaimed piece of wood for the brick fireplace mantel. The kitchen cabinets are the classic, white style with mesh upper cabinet insets. To further bring in the traditional look, we have a white farmhouse sink, installed white, subway tile, butcherblock countertop for the island and glass island electrical fixtures but offset it with stainless steel appliances and a quartz countertop. In the adjoining bonus room, we framed the entryway and windows with a square, white trim, which adds to the contemporary aspect. And for a fun touch, the clients wanted a little bar area and a kegerator installed. We kept the more contemporary theme with the stainless steel color and a white quartz countertop. The clients were delighted with how the kitchen turned out and how spacious the area felt in addition to the seamless mix of styles. Photos by Rick Young

LoDo Loft

Laurel Quint Interior Design

Emily Minton Redfield

Clovelly

Harrison's Landscaping

Courtyard style garden with exposed concrete and timber cabana. The swimming pool is tiled with a white sandstone, This courtyard garden design shows off a great mixture of materials and plant species. Courtyard gardens are one of our specialties. This Garden was designed by Michael Cooke Garden Design. Effective courtyard garden is about keeping the design of the courtyard simple. Small courtyard gardens such as this coastal garden in Clovelly are about keeping the design simple. The swimming pool is tiled internally with a really dark mosaic tile which contrasts nicely with the sandstone coping around the pool. The cabana is a cool mixture of free form concrete, Spotted Gum vertical slats and a lined ceiling roof. The flooring is also Spotted Gum to tie in with the slats. Photos by Natalie Hunfalvay

City: McDougald Residence

Linda McDougald Design | Postcard from Paris Home

Linda McDougald, principal and lead designer of Linda McDougald Design l Postcard from Paris Home, re-designed and renovated her home, which now showcases an innovative mix of contemporary and antique furnishings set against a dramatic linen, white, and gray palette. The English country home features floors of dark-stained oak, white painted hardwood, and Lagos Azul limestone. Antique lighting marks most every room, each of which is filled with exquisite antiques from France. At the heart of the re-design was an extensive kitchen renovation, now featuring a La Cornue Chateau range, Sub-Zero and Miele appliances, custom cabinetry, and Waterworks tile.

Saunders Stunner

Jenny Mills Architecture and Interiors

Dining and Living Area

Transitional Dining Room

DIning Room

Johnston Home Interior Design

The dining room has a darker and more dramatic palette than the rest of the house. The use of very traditional silk curtains and built in bookcases contrasts with the modern art and funky chandelier. photo: David Duncan Livingston

Annex Victorian

Toronto Interior Design Group

Brandon Barre & Gillian Jackson

Newton Addition

AbbeyK, Inc.

The Dining Room table and chairs are custom. The colors are soothing and inviting an the chandelier is just plain fun. We echoed the crystal from the chandelier on the ball finials for the window treatments. Blue grass cloth completes the room. Photo by Eric Roth

Vibrant Northcenter Home

Inspired Interiors

New build home infused with personality and style

My Bespoke Room

This living-dining room perfectly mixes the personalities of the two homeowners. The emerald green sofa and panelling give a traditional feel while the other homeowner loves the more modern elements such as the artwork, shelving and mounted TV making the layout work so they can watch TV from the dining table or the sofa with ease.

Historic Farmhouse Renovation

Lasley Brahaney Architecture + Construction

We designed an addition to the house to include the new kitchen, expanded mudroom and relocated laundry room. The kitchen features an abundance of countertop and island space, island seating, a farmhouse sink, custom walnut cabinetry and floating shelves, a breakfast nook with built-in bench seating and porcelain tile flooring.

Mid-sized 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!