Traditional Dining Room Ideas and Designs

The large living-dining room lacked a focal point and storage. To compensate for this we designed a built-in that functioned as a buffet, china and display. The built-in is the true focal point of the space. A family painting, flanked by sconces and shelving for collectables, makes the space personal.

Pella® Architect Series® 4-Panel Sliding Patio Door

Pella Windows and Doors

This Pella® Architect Series® wood with aluminum-clad sliding patio door features Pella’s unique design with the sliding panel on the outside — so the harder the wind blows, the tighter the seal against the elements.

Rocky Ledge Dining Room

LDa Architecture & Interiors

*The Dining room doors were custom designed by LDa and made by Blue Anchor Woodworks Inc in Marblehead, MA. The floors are constructed of a baked white oak surface-treated with an ebony analine dye. Chandelier: Restoration Hardware | Milos Chandelier Floor Lamp: Aqua Creations | Morning Glory Floor Lamp BASE TRIM Benjamin Moore White Z-235-01 Satin Impervo Alkyd low Luster Enamel DOOR TRIM Benjamin Moore White Z-235-01 Satin Impervo Alkyd low Luster Enamel WINDOW TRIM Benjamin Moore White Z-235-01 Satin Impervo Alkyd low Luster Enamel WALLS Benjamin Moore White Eggshell CEILING Benjamin Moore Ceiling White Flat Finish Credit: Sam Gray Photography

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Tillingham | The house of colour

Davonport Kitchen & Home

Design ideas for a traditional dining room in Essex.

Life On Longview

Delphinium Design

Beautiful dining room and sunroom in Charlotte, NC complete with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, large, black dining room chandelier, wood dining table and fabric and wood dining room chairs, roman shades and custom window treatments.

Chadds Ford Cottage

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.

Elegant traditional dining room with off-white walls, hardwood flooring, custom millwork including built-in cabinetry with glass-paned arched doors and crown molding

Modern French Provincial

Kristin Hoaglund Design

This beautiful French Provincial home is set on 10 acres, nestled perfectly in the oak trees. The original home was built in 1974 and had two large additions added; a great room in 1990 and a main floor master suite in 2001. This was my dream project: a full gut renovation of the entire 4,300 square foot home! I contracted the project myself, and we finished the interior remodel in just six months. The exterior received complete attention as well. The 1970s mottled brown brick went white to completely transform the look from dated to classic French. Inside, walls were removed and doorways widened to create an open floor plan that functions so well for everyday living as well as entertaining. The white walls and white trim make everything new, fresh and bright. It is so rewarding to see something old transformed into something new, more beautiful and more functional.

Morningside Heights

Archetype Architecture

Traditional dining room in New York.

Bernal Heights Sustainable Kitchen

Sabrina Alfin Interiors

View of kitchen from the dining room. Wall was removed between the two spaces to create better flow. Craftsman style custom cabinetry in both the dining and kitchen areas, including a built-in banquette with storage underneath.

Concord House

kelly mcguill home

Inspiration for a classic dining room in Boston with white walls, medium hardwood flooring, brown floors and banquette seating.

Wood accent walls

Customize This Wall

Inspiration for a classic dining room in Dallas.

Lakeway Estate - Austin TX

Dwell Lane

Photo of a classic open plan dining room in Austin with white walls, medium hardwood flooring and brown floors.

The Port Streets

Wendi Young Design

Inspiration for a traditional dining room in Orange County.

Butler's Pantry & Coffee Bar

Great Rooms Building Group

Large classic kitchen/dining room in Chicago with white walls, medium hardwood flooring and brown floors.

Edina Modern

Emily Pueringer Design Studio

Our clients moved into their 1957 home a year prior and needed more space with their 1st child on the way! We decided to bump the kitchen out 13' to gain approximately 300 square feet of new space to meet their needs. The new space included an ample sized mudroom, kitchen and dining area, as well as a new bar. The transformation was very rewarding as the light began to pour into the entire house, not to mention all the handcrafted custom finishes!

Coastal Transitional

White Sands Coastal Development

Our clients built their Manhattan dream house years ago, but a couple of decades in, the yellow and green palette seemed stale. We brightened the home with new paint and countertops, white oak flooring and updated carpet, custom fixtures and furniture, and new finishes, window treatments, and accessories. For enhanced functionality, we added built-in storage throughout, reupholstered existing furniture and the breakfast nook in performance fabric, and created a custom dining table that seats a dozen. To keep the dining room coastal and informal, we paired plush head chairs with rattan-backed side chairs and accented with sea-foam and sandy-hued floor and window coverings. The addition of a murphy bed, as well as shelving and file storage, made the office more suited to their growing family’s needs. In the second office, a standing desk, as well as a customized craft desk with built-ins for specific supplies, transformed the area into a completely personalized and effective space. New furniture and a ceiling-length fireplace facade of soft ivory and gray stone transformed the family room into a cozy and welcoming retreat. The overall effect is a home that feels spacious, beachy, and comfortable.

Bloomfield Hills

Allen & James Interior Design

The breakfast area adjacent to the kitchen did not veer from the New Traditional design of the entire home. Elegant lighting and furnishings were illuminated by an awesome bank of windows. With chairs by Hickory White, table by Iorts and lighting by Currey and Co., each piece is a perfect complement for the gracious space. Photographer: Michael Blevins Photo

Grant Park Historic and Modern

Alair Homes Decatur

Photo of a traditional dining room in Atlanta.

The Glam House

Kelsey Leigh Design Co.

This is an example of a classic dining room in Oklahoma City.

Traditional Dining Room 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 traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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.

Country Estate Transformation

Everything Home

Our Indianapolis design studio designed a gut renovation of this home which opened up the floorplan and radically changed the functioning of the footprint. It features an array of patterned wallpaper, tiles, and floors complemented with a fresh palette, and statement lights. Photographer - Sarah Shields --- Project completed by Wendy Langston's Everything Home interior design firm, which serves Carmel, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, and Indianapolis. For more about Everything Home, click here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/portfolio/country-estate-transformation/

United Kingdom

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