Midcentury Dining Room with a Two-sided Fireplace Ideas and Designs

Originally built in 1955, this modest penthouse apartment typified the small, separated living spaces of its era. The design challenge was how to create a home that reflected contemporary taste and the client’s desire for an environment rich in materials and textures. The keys to updating the space were threefold: break down the existing divisions between rooms; emphasize the connection to the adjoining 850-square-foot terrace; and establish an overarching visual harmony for the home through the use of simple, elegant materials. The renovation preserves and enhances the home’s mid-century roots while bringing the design into the 21st century—appropriate given the apartment’s location just a few blocks from the fairgrounds of the 1962 World’s Fair.

Mandeville

Lewis / Schoeplein architects

Marisa Vitale Photography
Design ideas for a midcentury open plan dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood flooring, a two-sided fireplace, a tiled fireplace surround and brown floors.

Long Dune Lane, Truro

Hammer Architects

Peter Vanderwarker
Design ideas for a medium sized midcentury open plan dining room in Boston with white walls, a two-sided fireplace, light hardwood flooring, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floors.

Mid Century Interior Renovation

KOSS design+build, pllc

View of great room from dining area. Rick Brazil Photography
This is an example of a retro kitchen/dining room in Phoenix with concrete flooring, a tiled fireplace surround, grey floors, white walls and a two-sided fireplace.

Updated Mid-Century Post and Beam

Lauren Shadid Architecture + Interiors

Dining Room Remodel. Custom Dining Table and Buffet. Custom Designed Wall incorporates double sided fireplace/hearth and mantle and shelving wrapping to living room side of the wall. Privacy wall separates entry from dining room with custom glass panels for light and space for art display. New recessed lighting brightens the space with a Nelson Cigar Pendant pays homage to the home's mid-century roots. photo by Chuck Espinoza

Mid-Century Modern Highland Park West Home

Mosier Luxury Homes

This is an example of a large midcentury open plan dining room in Austin with light hardwood flooring, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and a wood ceiling.

Lake View Residence

Alterstudio

Casey Dunn
This is an example of a retro dining room in Austin with a two-sided fireplace.

PBH Keith Heights

PBH Design

Medium sized retro open plan dining room in Dallas with white walls, dark hardwood flooring, a two-sided fireplace, a tiled fireplace surround and feature lighting.

Hollywood Hills

Bohl Architects

Photo of a retro open plan dining room in Los Angeles with medium hardwood flooring, a two-sided fireplace and a brick fireplace surround.

Minneapolis Residence

CHRISTIAN DEAN ARCHITECTURE, LLC

Photo by: Chad Holder
Large retro dining room in Minneapolis with white walls, dark hardwood flooring, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Four Sided Gas Fireplace with Logs

Acucraft Fireplaces

This stunning custom four sided glass fireplace with traditional logset boasts the largest flames on the market and safe-to-touch glass with our Patent-Pending dual pane glass cooling system. Fireplace Manufacturer: Acucraft Fireplaces Architect: Eigelberger Contractor: Brikor Associates Interior Furnishing: Chalissima

Palo Alto Mid Century

Fiorella Design, LLC

Creative Shot Photography
Retro dining room in San Francisco with a two-sided fireplace.

Mason-Grabell Residence

Arielle C. Schechter, AIA

The little cocktail bar was built in next to the fireplace. It has open shelving above to allow light and air through. The custom cabinets are flat front flush walnut veneer. This cabinet has room for glassware, barware and extra supplies as needed for the dining room adjacent to it.

Madison Park Mid-Century

RW Anderson Homes

John Granen
Large retro enclosed dining room in Seattle with white walls, medium hardwood flooring, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Pacific NW Modern Dwelling

User

In this modern dining room, a medley of greenery sprouts from a hammered charcoal vase at the center of an espresso stained table. The table is illuminated by a modern light fixture, composed of hand-blown clear glass globes. Espresso gives way to chocolate in the tone on tone upholstery of the dining chairs. The orange piping of the chairs gives a nod to the contemporary artwork hanging on a far wall in the sitting area. The sitting area is also furnished with a pair of recliners with walnut stained frames and olive leather. Opposite the recliners is a tufted back sofa upholstered in linen and accented with copper suede pillows. A bronze metal cocktail table rests in front of the sofa while a wood floor lamp with ivory shade stands to the side. A Persian wool rug in shades of amber, green and cream ties the space together. The ivory walls and ceiling are accented by honey stained alder trim, a color that continues via a paneled wall separates the dining room from the kitchen.

Malabar

Studio Lema

Medium sized midcentury enclosed dining room in Dallas with white walls, medium hardwood flooring, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, brown floors and feature lighting.

Dynamic Modern

Wilmington-Gordon

Photo of a medium sized retro enclosed dining room in Austin with a two-sided fireplace and a tiled fireplace surround.

Woodland Hills Residence

Mahle Design LLC

Dining Room
Photo of a medium sized midcentury kitchen/dining room in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood flooring, a two-sided fireplace, a brick fireplace surround, beige floors and exposed beams.

Rysdale

Interior Trends Remodel & Design

Dining Room
Design ideas for a large retro kitchen/dining room in Phoenix with a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and multi-coloured floors.

Long Dune Residence, Truro

Hammer Architects

Peter Vanderwarker
Inspiration for a medium sized retro open plan dining room in Boston with white walls, light hardwood flooring, a two-sided fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floors.

Midcentury Dining Room with a Two-sided Fireplace Ideas and Designs

For many of us, our dining rooms are combined with our kitchens or living rooms and so it’s hard to give them a defined style or design, whereas many people who do have a separate dining room often overlook redesigning the space because it is used fairly infrequently. However, if you can make your midcentury dining room or dining room area an inviting but practical space to eat with friends and family, then you’ll have no excuse not to be the ever gracious dinner party host and make the most of your midcentury dining space. Dining room ideas can range from the dramatic overhaul of layout, walls, doors, fireplaces or lighting features, to the refresh of furniture such as dining tables and chairs, or even smaller details such as dinnerware, cutlery, chair covers and small decorative features. So whether you are looking to completely redesign your dining room or you’re just looking for some midcentury dining room decorating ideas, you’re bound to find some inspiration from other homeowners, designers and stylists who’ve uploaded images of their dining rooms on Houzz.

How should I choose my dining room table?

Dining tables can be large, imposing pieces of furniture and so it’s a good idea to choose your table first and plan your decor around them. Comfort and ease of movement in dining rooms is key – even though we spend most of our time sitting, it’s preferable not to dine in cramped quarters (and crucial as a host to be able to move around the table to serve your guests). When choosing your dining room table, consider the number of people you expect to regularly seat – the perfect size for a dining table allows an intimate meal without feeling crowded. A round table leaves plenty of room for serving food at its centre, but a rectangular table is more flexible for seating extra guests at either end. If you’re after true versatility, drop leaf or extendable dining room tables are the most convenient option. The material of your selected table will set the character of your room. Glass dining tables look sleek and modern, whilst a pine or oak dining table will lend dining rooms a rustic country vibe. For a more traditional dining table opt for a dark polished wood like mahogany. Check out all the dining room decorating ideas on Houzz to see how different materials of dining table are incorporated into different rooms.

What are the best dining chairs for my table?

If your table hasn’t been sold with matching chairs then you have some extra flexibility to select dining chairs that suit your desired dining room feel. For traditional dining rooms you will want to opt for a full set of high backed formal dining chairs, whether these are upholstered, leather or wood framed. If you are looking for a more informal dining room, then a selection of mismatched chairs in different materials such as moulded plastic and even metal can be a great way to achieve this. For a really relaxed dining experience, you could even opt for a full length bench, which has the additional advantage of saving space as it can be tucked away under the table when not in use.

How should I decorate my midcentury dining room?

Elegant, neutral palettes are the safest dining room decorating ideas for smaller rooms, creating a calm dining environment for your guests. Pattern in a dining room can be a great choice to create drama but in order to not overwhelm your guests you might want to stick to a few stand-out elements – for example, wallpaper, curtains or chair covers. If you are lucky enough to have a large formal dining room then you could consider bold, opulent shades for your walls to create a grander feel. Your tableware and serveware should ideally be chosen to coordinate with your decor choices, but if all else fails keep it white, bright and simple. Lighting is also key to your dining room decor – aim for dimmable light that you can adjust to create the mood that will allow your guests to relax but still be able to see their food. Low pendant lights directly over the dining table are both practical and striking, or for large formal dining rooms you may want to opt for a traditional chandelier hung from the centre of the room. Additional wall sconces along the walls can be a great way to brighten up the room for late night dinner parties, and don’t forget how a couple of candles along your dining room table can add a delicate, finishing touch. Discover more of these popular design photo ideas.

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