Studio Uno is an unexpected sanctuary for our client Naomi, a full-time carer and mother. Lying behind an established Brunswick terrace, it takes the shape of a meticulously designed Dependent Persons Unit. Naomi lives with her adult daughter, who has very high support needs. The nature of their circumstances means that living together under one roof isn’t always feasible. Naomi needed a certified DPU that met a simple brief: a dismantlable but quality retreat with warm, robust materials and a calming ambience. We’ve packed as much enduring quality and thoughtful design as possible into a compact footprint. Carefully engineered, the dwelling’s lightweight structure and internal linings enable it to be readily disassembled, transported and rebuilt elsewhere. It replaces the fence at the site’s rear, with its upper mass leaning into one corner to minimise impact on the neighbours’ skyscape. Inside, blackbutt timber and hoop pine plywood dominate the palette to create a warm, low-contrast and relaxing environment. The ground floor features dual sliding doors connecting to the courtyard and laneway, with a versatile living area between for retreat, Naomi’s art practice and above all, peacefulness. Lining the wall is a simple kitchenette, cabinetry, and a clever door concealing the bathroom. A staircase leads to the loft bedroom above, made deliberately cosy and secluded by the dwelling’s tapered form. It’s punctured only by a small window to the lane and a skylight above, offering light and ventilation without compromising privacy.

Macquarie Street

Jumble & Stack

This is an example of a small scandinavian dining room in Brisbane with light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Terrell Hills Mid Century Modern Project

Haven Design and Construction

One functional challenge was that the home did not have a pantry. MCM closets were historically smaller than the walk-in closets and pantries of today. So, we printed out the home’s floorplan and began sketching ideas. The breakfast area was quite large, and it backed up to the primary bath on one side and it also adjoined the main hallway. We decided to reconfigure the large breakfast area by making part of it into a new walk-in pantry. This gave us the extra space we needed to create a new main hallway, enough space for a spacious walk-in pantry, and finally, we had enough space remaining in the breakfast area to add a cozy built-in walnut dining bench. Above the new dining bench, we designed and incorporated a geometric walnut accent wall to add warmth and texture.

A Mid-Century Modern Apartment Makeover

Décor Aid

New Yorkers are always on the prowl for innovative ways to make the most of the space they have. An upper east side couple, challenged with a slightly narrow L shaped apartment sought out Decor Aid’s help to make the most of their Manhattan condo. Paired with one of our senior designer, Kimberly P., we learned that the clients wanted a space that looked beautiful, comfortable and also packed with functionality for everyday living. “Immediately upon seeing the space, I knew that we needed to create a narrative that allowed the design to control how you moved through the space,” reports Kimberly, senior interior designer. After surveying each room and learning a bit more about their personal style, we started with the living room remodel. It was clear that the couple wanted to infuse mid-century modern into the design plan. Sourcing the Room & Board Jasper Sofa with its narrow arms and tapered legs, it offered the mid-century look, with the modern comfort the clients are used to. Velvet accent pillows from West Elm and Crate & Barrel add pops of colors but also a subtle touch of luxury, while framed pictures from the couple’s honeymoon personalize the space. Moving to the dining room next, Kimberly decided to add a blue accent wall to emphasize the Horchow two piece Percussion framed art that was to be the focal point of the dining area. The Seno sideboard from Article perfectly accentuated the mid-century style the clients loved while providing much-needed storage space. The palette used throughout both rooms were very New York style, grays, blues, beiges, and whites, to add depth, Kimberly sourced decorative pieces in a mixture of different metals. “The artwork above their bureau in the bedroom is photographs that her father took,” Moving into the bedroom renovation, our designer made sure to continue to stick to the client’s style preference while once again creating a personalized, warm and comforting space by including the photographs taken by the client’s father. The Avery bed added texture and complimented the other colors in the room, while a hidden drawer at the foot pulls out for attached storage, which thrilled the clients. A deco-inspired Faceted mirror from West Elm was a perfect addition to the bedroom due to the illusion of space it provides. The result was a bedroom that was full of mid-century design, personality, and area so they can freely move around. The project resulted in the form of a layered mid-century modern design with touches of luxury but a space that can not only be lived in but serves as an extension of the people who live there. Our designer was able to take a very narrowly shaped Manhattan apartment and revamp it into a spacious home that is great for sophisticated entertaining or comfortably lazy nights in.

Dream Cottage with a View

Mary Hannah Interiors

Small beach style open plan dining in Other with white walls, medium hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Light Resolve

Stewart & Stewart Design Ltd

This is an example of a small contemporary dining room in Hertfordshire with ceramic floors, grey floor and white walls.

Somerset Cottage

Nicola O'Mara Interior Design Ltd

Traditional cottage dining room
Photo of a small country dining room in Cornwall with white walls and no fireplace.

Banquette sur mesure

Épicène

Banquette sur mesure, dessinée par l'agence, vient optimiser l'espace sous la pente de toit pour créer un grand coin repas. Pose de radiateurs électriques plinthe dans l'esprit des anciens radiateurs en fonte.

Trevaylor Cottage

Lydia Allen Interiors

Small eclectic dining room in Cornwall with terra-cotta floors and brown floor.

Studio parisien - Trocadéro / Paris 16ème

E.G Home Concept

Ici l'espace repas fait aussi office de bureau! la table console se déplie en largeur et peut ainsi recevoir jusqu'à 6 convives mais également être utilisée comme bureau confortable pour l'étudiante qui occupe les lieux. La pièce de vie est séparée de l'espace nuit par un ensemble de menuiseries sur mesure comprenant une niche ouverte avec prises intégrées et un claustra de séparation graphique et aéré pour une perception d'espace optimale et graphique (papier peint en arrière plan)

Crabtree House

Into interior design

This is an example of a small eclectic dining room in London with blue walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and wallpaper.

Projet Moreau, Architectes d'intérieurs : Carla Lopez et Margaux Meza

Transition Interior Design

Rénovation complète de l'appartement hormis la cuisine.
Inspiration for a small scandinavian dining room in Paris with white walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Dining Nook

Nine Dot Design

Photo of a small beach style kitchen/dining combo in Los Angeles with grey walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Apartment LAM

Constanze Ladner - Interior Design

Photo of a small scandinavian dining room in Frankfurt with white walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

Notting Hill

GRANT WHITE DESIGN LTD

Inspiration for a small midcentury open plan dining in London with medium hardwood floors, brown floor and beige walls.

Project Modern Midcentury

Jackie James LLC

Live Edge Wood and Brass Table, Midcentury gray chairs, Sputnik Chandelier and a Pink Kilim Rug.
Photo of a small midcentury open plan dining in Dallas with white walls, light hardwood floors and brown floor.

DINING ROOM

Sheila Rich Interiors, LLC

New window seat adds seating and storage to the space. We added thick new moldings for architectural interest; dark hardwood floors provide additional warmth. The vintage chandelier draws color from the nearby ocean and adds a spark of color and interest. Solid wood Parsons dining table and the Wishbone chairs provide an interesting mix of geometric shapes, styles and textures. The sisal rug grounds the area and adds another natural element. The window seat was added to create much-needed additional seating and extra storage space.

Le Ville d'Oro

Rossana Pedrali

This is an example of a small modern open plan dining in Other with beige walls, linoleum floors and grey floor.

Mid-Century Reinvention

cutlerschulze

This captivating mid-century modern dining nook is located within a meticulously restored Gregory Ain home. It seamlessly integrates the dining area into the open floor plan, featuring a built-in banquette with plush cushions for comfortable seating. The round Saarinen tulip table and iconic chairs create a classic mid-century aesthetic, while the warm wood tones of the cabinetry and paneling add to the inviting ambiance. Natural light floods the space through expansive windows and clerestory windows, highlighting the vibrant geometric artwork and enhancing the overall airy and spacious feel of this iconic architectural style.

Trevaylor Cottage

Lydia Allen Interiors

Inspiration for a small eclectic dining room in Cornwall with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, brown floor and exposed beam.

Small 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!