Coupled with the fact that your dining area may now need to double up as a desk space - particularly if more than one person is working from home - it makes sense to keep it calm, adaptable and inspiring. We've gathered up a range of cool and clever dining room ideas that will do just that.

The rustic and restful rooms ahead prove that plain doesn't have to be boring, while the smaller spaces show that size is no barrier to style success.

RANCH STYLE


There are two monochrome artworks to get your attention, but the real eye-catcher is the view through the full length windows. Leather dining chairs from Industry West add to the rustic ranch-style look.

Get the look: The artworks are by Diane Rosenblum, the one on the left is called “7 Deadly Sins”. The table is by Restoration Hardware. The dining chairs are by Industry West.

            

PRETTY PASTELS


A wall of pastel hued plates creates impact in this dining area.

Get the look: The plates are from Toast. This is the Hague chandelier by Abigail Ahern. The table was made bespoke, with legs from Wicked Hairpins. The dining chairs are from eBay. The Sex Pistols artwork is by Jamie Reid at Isis Gallery. The rug is from CarpetVista.

            

ART OF DESIGN


Within the large living space designer, Tara Bernerd, has created different zones which, give the eye lots of different points of interest wherever you sit.

Get the look: On the wall are Harland Miller’s A Decisive Blow Against If screen print from White Cube.

                    

TOP TABLE


The kitchen and custom-sized dining table were designed to accommodate interior designer Suzy Hoodless’ vintage Hans Wegner chairs, bought many years ago.

Get the look: Wishbone dining chairs, Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn. Dining table, Another Country. A331 Beehive pendants, Alvar Aalto for Artek. Nero Parquet limestone flooring, Lapicida.

                    

SOCIABLE SPACE


This light, open and comfortable area is where this family can enjoy what they love doing best – getting together to cook, eat and socialise. They love the dining table as it can seat 14 people.

Get the look: The table is surrounded by Hans Wegner’s Wishbone chairs from Skandium. The Murano glass light, right, is from thefrenchhouse.co.uk. For similar, try 1stdibs.com. The polished-concrete floor is by Steyson Granolithic Contractors.

            

DARK ARTS


The motto “less is more” doesn’t apply in this home. As founder of edgy design firm Buster + Punch, Massimo is able to indulge his love of decadent themes.

Get the look: The screen print hanging on the right of the wall, called Justina, is another work by Matthew Small and the gilt-framed print in the centre, called Sammy, is by Angelique Houtkamp, both from Nelly Duff. The Nude brass pendants are from the Hooked collection by Buster + Punch. Massimo made the bench. For a similar table, check out Alexander & Pearl’s Midnight design. Habitat sells sofas like this one. The original oak floor is treated with Osmo parquet stain in Pitch Black.

                        

TALL ORDER


Creating the double-height space was the best thing they did, according to these owners. They love that a lot more light flows in and you can appreciate the curve of the wall, which works wonderfully with the table.

Get the look: This is the Saarinen Tulip table for Knoll, teamed with DSW side chairs in White by Charles and Ray Eames for Vitra at Aram Store.

            

WARM WOODS


This white dining room is warmed with woods and artworks. The effect is homely, welcoming and relaxed.

Get the look: The table is Prouve. The chairs and cabinet are by Børge Mogensen

                            

TRAVERTINE & CANE


The travertine pedestal dining table is a striking piece, and features brass inlay. Wood chairs with caning keep things casual.

Get the look: Morris dining chairs by Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, 1970s travertine marquetry and brass inlay pedestal dining table. 1970s Italian Pendant light by ZeroQuattro.

                

COSY CORNER


Interior designer Casey Keasler created a relaxed dining nook in this kitchen corner window.

                

COUNTRY STYLE


Floor boards, wall paneling and the pitched roof with exposed beams have all been painted in white gloss paint, giving the space a light and airy look.

                

PARED BACK SIMPLICITY


This custom-built pale wood dining table is surrounded by Hay’s Result Chairs in oak.

            

PASTEL STRIPE


Floating built-in banquette seating, upholstered in a light, neutral stripe, creates a relaxed dining corner in this kitchen nook.

Get the look: Chairs by Hay Design. Table is a custom design.

                

A GOOD VINTAGE


The wine hued velvet Remy dining chairs from MGBW add a pop of colour to this calming space.

            

NATURALLY CHIC


This plaster dining room light is by artist Philippe Anthonioz.

                

GO GREY


Gorgeous greys are still de rigueur and, when used in a rustic setting, work really well. Pair a grey-washed dining table with a school-style bench, pop a silvering olive tree into a fluted tin plant pot, and pull it all together with a slate pendant over the table. All work beautifully against a white painted floor.

Get the look: For a bench and table like this, try Harvey Jones. The fridge is by Smeg. The wall tiles are from The Reject Tile Shop. The industrial-style pendant lamp was found at a stall in Brick Lane. For similar, try Trainspotters. Buy an olive tree at Clifton Nurseries

                

MARVELLOUS MARBLE


A raw white brick wall is given an ultra-luxe twist with a marble-top dining table.

Get the look: The marble table is bespoke. Wishbone chairs are by Hans Wegner. The pendant lights are from Buster + Punch.

            

FULL BEAM


This room is the family’s favourite spot - and it’s not hard to see why. A carpenter made the table and bench out of old floorboards, and they look charming with the statement ceiling beams and white walls.

Get the look: This is the CH24 Wishbone chair, left, and the CH36 dining chairs by Hans J Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn. Floors throughout are by Dinesen.

            

INTO THE WOODS


Go with the grain and install a beautiful textured wooden dining table that matched a statement wooden ceiling. Throw in some greenery to bring the whole look to life.

Get the look: The table is from Mark Tuckey in Melbourne. Find a similar table at Benchmark. These are the 209 bentwood chairs by Thonet, available at Nest.

                

GALLERY WALL


There’s no nicer way to make a white wall come to life than a well put-together gallery wall. Keep the colour theme going with matching hues in the dining chairs and pendant light for a unified yet eclectic look.

Get the look: The mirror is from Maison Artefact. For a similar antique light, try O’Keeffe Antiques. The Vitra Eames DSR chairs are from John Lewis. The large painting and the artwork on the lower right are by Liza Giles. The others are by Ray Marsh.

                

NORDIC NOIR


Add interest to a neutral grey wall with cool nods to Nordic. The black wooden bench and matte black pendant subtly pop against the clean-lined wooden table.

Get the look: The dining table, bench and wall light are by Minale + Mann’s The Workshop. The pendant is Davey Lighting’s 7630 Square. The tattoo-style artwork, second from left, is by Angelique Houtkamp at Nelly Duff. The cushions are from The Conran Shop and the brass Form bowl is by Tom Dixon at Heal’s.

                

TABLE TALK


Make a warm-hued oak table and stylish Wishbone chairs the talking point in a white-walled kitchen-diner with white gloss cupboards. Paired with a polished concrete floor, it’s high-end yet understated chic.

Get the look: The table is surrounded by Hans Wegner’s Wishbone chairs from Skandium. The Murano glass light, right, is from thefrenchhouse.co.uk. For similar, try 1stdibs.com. The polished-concrete floor is by Steyson Granolithic Contractors.

            

EXPOSED BRICK


White walls and exposed brick are a neutral dining space match made in heaven. Pair with stainless steel chair and dining table frames to bring a contemporary touch to the raw brick wall.

Get the look: For an oversized skylight like this, try Velux. The dining table was reclaimed from an office. The Conran Shop has a selection of similar styles. The chairs are by Ligne Roset from Harrods. This is the Moses Brown rug by Suzanne Sharp for The Rug Company. The cherry wood cabinets are a bespoke design by Roundhouse.

            

GO WITH THE GRAIN


This dining table was made with the floor planks. The table top then flows in the same direction as the boards on the floor. creating a seamless effect.

Get the look: These are CH24 Wishbone chairs by Hans J Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn. The pendant light was bought in France. Hand&Eye Studio makes ceramic lighting along these lines.

                

A FRESH ANGLE


Pale timber Wishbone chairs and an interesting dining table add to the crisp and bright aesthetic.

Get the look: The Konstantine dining table is from Living Space. These are Hans J Wegner’s Wishbone chairs for Carl Hansen & Søn from The Conran Shop. The Parker wall sconces and white vases are by Jonathan Adler. The painting is by Ray Caesar.

            

MIDCENTURY MODERN


This dining space combines a sophisticated but relaxed palette with an elegant marble table top and comfortable, chunky seating.

Get the look: The dining table is bespoke. The Red chairs are from Stellar Works. The Hooked 3.0 lights are by Buster + Punch. The rug is from Linie Design.

                

NEON POP


Sharp, colour-dipped outlines are undercut by the natural hues of the oak flooring. The customised light over the table was tricky to mount in the right position, but worth the fiddle.

Get the look: The Steel table is by Piergiorgio & Michele Cazzaniga for MDF Italia, with Houdini chairs by Stefan Diez for e15, all from Viaduct. The artworks are by Stuart Semple. The limited edition plates are a collaboration between Royal Doulton and street artist Pure Evil.

                


MODERN EDGE


A chandelier by an LA designer emphasises the proportions of this simple, elegant space.

Get the look: The table is by White Arrow. The J39 chairs by Børge Mogensen are vintage finds. This is the Pivot chandelier by Brendan Ravenhill. The Moroccan rug is from Etsy.

                


ROOM WITH A VIEW


White walls and large windows frame the outside beautifully, while furniture with classic, simple lines lets the nature outdoors provide all the drama.

Get the look: The dining table is by Heerenhuis – its SPO solid-oak design is a match. The chairs were from Ikea, but are now discontinued – the Skin chair by Archirivolto for Calligaris is a similar design. This is Ikea’s Fillsta pendant.