HSH Mill Valley | The Essentials Collection - Nature Color

The dining room and kitchen flow seamlessly in this mid-century home. The white walls and countertops create visual space while the beautiful white oak cabinets provide abundant storage. Both the exposed wood ceiling and oak floors were existing, we refinished them and color matched new trim as needed.

Pacific NW Modern Dwelling

User

A modern glass fireplace an Ortal Space Creator 120 organically separates this sunken den and dining room. A set of three glazed vases in shades of amber, chartreuse and olive stand on the cream concrete hearth. Wide flagstone steps capped with oak slabs lead the way to the dining room. The base of the espresso stained dining table is accented with zebra wood and rests on an ombre rug in shades of soft green and orange. The table’s centerpiece is a hammered pot filled with greenery. Hanging above the table is a striking modern light fixture with glass globes. The ivory walls and ceiling are punctuated with warm, honey stained alder trim. Orange piping against a tone on tone chocolate fabric covers the dining chairs paying homage to the warm tones of the stained oak floor. The ebony chair legs coordinate with the black of the baby grand piano which stands at the ready for anyone eager to play the room a tune.

Hollywood Hills Retreat

User

Bright, colorful dining room with teal grasscloth, graphic banquette, marble dining table, leather sling chairs, and brass burst chandelier. Photo Credit: Mary Costa

Retro Kitchen Remodel

Lauten Construction

Dan Kozcera

Bainbridge

NGD Interiors, Inc.

A family breakfast nook receives a powerful punch of color & style.

Lake Forest Park Renovation

FINNE Architects

The Lake Forest Park Renovation is a top-to-bottom renovation of a 50's Northwest Contemporary house located 25 miles north of Seattle. Photo: Benjamin Benschneider

San Francisco Eichler

Form + Field

San Salvador - Mid Century Modern

Kitchens by Good Guys

At our San Salvador project, we did a complete kitchen remodel, redesigned the fireplace in the living room and installed all new porcelain wood-looking tile throughout. Before the kitchen was outdated, very dark and closed in with a soffit lid and old wood cabinetry. The fireplace wall was original to the home and needed to be redesigned to match the new modern style. We continued the porcelain tile from an earlier phase to go into the newly remodeled areas. We completely removed the lid above the kitchen, creating a much more open and inviting space. Then we opened up the pantry wall that previously closed in the kitchen, allowing a new view and creating a modern bar area. The young family wanted to brighten up the space with modern selections, finishes and accessories. Our clients selected white textured laminate cabinetry for the kitchen with marble-looking quartz countertops and waterfall edges for the island with mid-century modern barstools. For the backsplash, our clients decided to do something more personalized by adding white marble porcelain tile, installed in a herringbone pattern. In the living room, for the new fireplace design we moved the TV above the firebox for better viewing and brought it all the way up to the ceiling. We added a neutral stone-looking porcelain tile and floating shelves on each side to complete the modern style of the home. Our clients did a great job furnishing and decorating their house, it almost felt like it was staged which we always appreciate and love.

Mid-Century Modern Open Dining Room and Kitchen

KraftMaster Renovations

We took the wall down that originally divided these two rooms, combining them to make one beautiful dining/kitchen area. Photos by Chris Veith.

Long Beach Midcentury Modern

Soko Design

Olathe MCM

Stumpff HomeWorks, LLC

Sleek, modernised retro 70's open plan kitchen diner

My Bespoke Room

It's sophisticated and stylish, with a sleek and contemporary feel that's perfect for entertaining. The clean lines and monochromatic colour palette enhance the minimalist vibe, while the carefully chosen details add just the right amount of glam.

North Oaks Mid-Century Modern

Megan Dent, AKBD

Scott Amundson

13th St

Stage Box LLC

Vadsco Pedestal Dining Table

Amish Showroom

The Vadsco Pedestal table is a modern take on the dining table. The Vadsco table is available in a 42x54" oval shape with 1 - 12" leaf. Also available in 48x54 - with up to 1 - 12" leaf.

Breakfast nook

New View Designs by Laurie Cole Inc.

Verbena Dr.

Jared Frank Studio

A small kitchen becomes a place to eat in with the addition of a window seat and custom live-edge table.

Retro Kitchen Remodel

Lauten Construction

Dan Kozcera

Eichler Home in Fairmeadows, Southern California

Better Living SoCal

Brazilian Teak hardwood floors, Mahogany walls, and original light fixtures all make this Eichler Dining Room a perfect place for entertaining. Bright-colored Eames chairs at the kitchen dining extension offer added seating if needed.

Midcentury Kitchen/Dining Combo Design Ideas

A midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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!