Respecting the street’s heritage, the charming gabled façade was retained. But beneath, behind and above, the four-bedroom residence is confidently contemporary. Chiselled out of sandstone, the subterranean strata has a garage, cellar, rumpus and laundry. While the mid-level hosts the bay-windowed master suite and expansive living areas oriented north toward a Jamie Durie-designed rear courtyard.

Central Residence

Dylan Barber Building Design

Large contemporary open plan dining in Geelong with concrete floors.

Newport Home

Joanne Green Landscape & Interior

Joanne Green Landscape and Interior transformed a dated interior into a relaxed and fresh apartment that embraces the sunlit marine setting of Sydney's Barrenjoey peninsula. The client's brief was to create a layered aesthetic that captures the property's expansive view and amplifies the flow between the interior and exterior spaces. The project included updates to three bedrooms, an ensuite, a bathroom, a kitchen with a butler's pantry, a study nook, a dedicated laundry, and a generous dining and living area. By using thoughtful interior design, the finished space presents a unique, comfortable, and contemporary atmosphere to the waterfront home.

View From The Seat

Atlas Architects

Behind the rolling hills of Arthurs Seat sits “The Farm”, a coastal getaway and future permanent residence for our clients. The modest three bedroom brick home will be renovated and a substantial extension added. The footprint of the extension re-aligns to face the beautiful landscape of the western valley and dam. The new living and dining rooms open onto an entertaining terrace. The distinct roof form of valleys and ridges relate in level to the existing roof for continuation of scale. The new roof cantilevers beyond the extension walls creating emphasis and direction towards the natural views.

Architectural Photography - Port Douglas

COCO + PALM PRODUCTIONS

Large contemporary dining room in Cairns with white walls and grey floor.

Anderson Street, South Yarra

Key Piece

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Rosanna

DSdezines Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary dining room in Melbourne with white walls, laminate floors, brown floor, recessed and panelled walls.

Flinders Flair

Let's Talk Kitchens & Interiors

A contemporary holiday home located on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula featuring rammed earth walls, timber lined ceilings and flagstone floors. This home incorporates strong, natural elements and the joinery throughout features custom, stained oak timber cabinetry and natural limestone benchtops. With a nod to the mid century modern era and a balance of natural, warm elements this home displays a uniquely Australian design style. This home is a cocoon like sanctuary for rejuvenation and relaxation with all the modern conveniences one could wish for thoughtfully integrated.

Mosman Village House

Annie Bowen Design

Stepping off the plane and through the door of their new home, the clients are embraced by serene spaces with pops of colour.
This is an example of a large contemporary dining room in Sydney with white walls and light hardwood floors.

Port Melbourne Residence

MR.MITCHELL

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls and medium hardwood floors.

Kitchen

Look Design Group

Large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Other with white walls, plywood floors, brown floor and vaulted.

Preston townhouse

Jasmine McClelland Design

A custom designed banquet bench seat features George Fethers Oak veneer, black laminex and a padded green leather back rest along side a steel table and Ross Gardam feature light.

Elsternwick Residence

Studio Esar

This stunning four-bedroom home effortlessly oozes fun and functionality with a transformation that honours colour, character and coming together. Enlisted to convert this modern Victorian into a home that marries heritage and hosting, architectural themes of period detailing and fluting feature throughout. Embarking on a colour journey of furniture, art selection, decor and soft furnishings, the finished product is a medley that accents the architectural backdrop of black and white with a line up of local furniture artisans, artists and international furniture designers that fills the home with a sense of flow and collaboration.

Kitchen/Dining

Drift Interiors

Design ideas for a large contemporary open plan dining in Wollongong with white walls, light hardwood floors and a two-sided fireplace.

New build

schemes & spaces

Clean and contemporary dining area with feature pendants
This is an example of a large contemporary dining room in Sydney with dark hardwood floors.

Fulton Residence

User

Interior view of dining room with custom designed screen wall that provides privacy from front entry while showcasing the Owner's collection of travel artifacts. Photo: Ebony Ellis

Deux Pièces en Villes

MELANIE LALLEMAND ARCHITECTURES

Photos © Hélène Hilaire
Design ideas for a small contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Paris with white walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

pied-à-terre in the clouds, 200 amsterdam, nyc

Darci Hether New York

In this NYC pied-à-terre new build for empty nesters, architectural details, strategic lighting, dramatic wallpapers, and bespoke furnishings converge to offer an exquisite space for entertaining and relaxation. This open-concept living/dining space features a soothing neutral palette that sets the tone, complemented by statement lighting and thoughtfully selected comfortable furniture. This harmonious design creates an inviting atmosphere for both relaxation and stylish entertaining. --- Our interior design service area is all of New York City including the Upper East Side and Upper West Side, as well as the Hamptons, Scarsdale, Mamaroneck, Rye, Rye City, Edgemont, Harrison, Bronxville, and Greenwich CT. For more about Darci Hether, see here: https://darcihether.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://darcihether.com/portfolio/bespoke-nyc-pied-à-terre-interior-design

Hogar de Nuria y Miguel

Leticia Yagüez Estudio

This is an example of a large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Madrid with light hardwood floors and brown floor.

Lake Travis Retreat

ísARK Studio

This area was originally the outside patio. isARK Studio tied into the existing slab and tile and again used drywall and a play on space and light to create sculptural elements in the architecture.

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.

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!