Photo of a contemporary dining room in Sydney.

Our Toorak project is a unified vision, the result of seamless collaboration between clients and designers. Moving away from their previous traditional style home, the homeowners desired a more contemporary look with unexpected pieces. Massimo Interiors offered a spacious feel suitable for hosting large gatherings of family and friends, where the comfortable space allows children to play and people to sit, eat and move around. Care was taken when selecting durable fabrics in order to establish a child-friendly yet sophisticated space. The European oak floorboards offset the predominantly monochromatic colour scheme, creating a light and elegant interior, complemented with the occasional classic piece. The main living area features an extra large floor rug that unifies separate seating areas for different activities. To create balance and drama, Massimo Interiors arranged two large sofas facing each other, separated by two luxurious ottomans. Near the fireplace lies a second seating area designed for reading or relaxing by the warm glow of the fire. The rich layering of different materials such as polished timber, stainless steel, marble, glass, and velvet provided contrast with the pared-back kitchen and dining areas. Accent colour, such as the aubergine fabric of the cut-velvet Louis XV French Bergere lounge chair, complements the colours of the Australian artworks, echoed in the choice of scatter cushions. The dining room boasts two oversized pendant light fittings link to the pattern on the living room ottomans. To add a touch of old-world charm, a striking portrait completes the clean and crisp space. In the master bedroom, a palette of pale gold, burnt orange, turquoise and green inspires the scatter cushions, tying the room together. Hand-blown amber glass table lamps with linen shades, establish an intimate, warm appeal. Every detail, every object and every decoration – from the fabric to the wall colour to the artworks has been curated in details.

Highlights - DEC 2025

Trit House

Featured here is the Orsen Dining Table, Pinta Dining Chair and Odd Counter Stool.
Contemporary dining room in Melbourne.

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Design ideas for a large contemporary dining room in Geelong with white walls, concrete floors, grey floor and wood.

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COCO PALM INTERIORS

This is an example of a contemporary dining room in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

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Design ideas for a contemporary open plan dining in Sydney with white walls and grey floor.

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Photo of a contemporary dining room in Melbourne.

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Design ideas for a contemporary dining room in Melbourne.

Seaforth Contemporary Interior Styling & Art Curation

LXJ Creative Studio

Contemporary open plan dining in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

PACIFIC VIEW POINT

ATELIER ALWILL

This is an example of a contemporary dining room in Sydney.

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Dall Designer Homes

This striking family home, plays host to a family of rambunctious boys all while exuding stylish modern luxury.
Inspiration for a large contemporary open plan dining in Sunshine Coast with white walls, concrete floors and grey floor.

Balmain Apartment

Issy & H Creative

Design ideas for a contemporary dining room in Sydney with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

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Complete Kitchens

Photo of a contemporary dining room in Melbourne.

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Fusion Property Developments

Inspiration for a contemporary dining room with white walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

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Design ideas for a contemporary dining room in Brisbane.

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Design ideas for a contemporary dining room in Melbourne with white walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

River of Life - Curl Curl NSW

Sandbox Studio®

Kitchen & Dining Room
Inspiration for a contemporary dining room in Sydney.

Fountainhead

Andrew Clemo - Interior Design

See More https://www.andrewclemo.com/projects/fountainhead

Contemporary Dining Room Design Ideas

A contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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.

Whether you want inspiration for planning a contemporary dining room renovation or are building a designer dining room from scratch, Houzz has 75,299 images from the best designers, decorators, and architects in the country, including DSdezines Interiors and Andrew Clemo - Interior Design. Look through dining room photos in different colours and styles and when you find a contemporary dining room design that inspires you, save it to an Ideabook or contact the Pro who made it happen to see what kind of design ideas they have for your home. Explore the beautiful contemporary dining room ideas photo gallery and find out exactly why Houzz is the best experience for home renovation and design.

Healesville - Renovation 2025

Green Room Interiors

Lee and David's story is proof that thoughtful design creates spaces that feel truly personal and welcoming, Looking back, I can't help but wonder what their home would have looked like without this process. The end result is a space that reflects who they are, one they love coming home to every day.