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

Timber cottage renovation

Studio Urbo

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Sydney with concrete floors, grey floor and exposed beam.

Timber-Lantern House

Mcmahon and Nerlich

View to double-height dining room
Inspiration for a large contemporary open plan dining in Melbourne with white walls, concrete floors, a wood stove, a brick fireplace surround, grey floor, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Templestowe

LBB Projects

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

Lake Wendouree House

de.arch

dining room
Inspiration for a large contemporary kitchen/dining combo in Melbourne with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and exposed beam.

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.

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.

Kitchen

Look Design Group

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

Beverly Hills Modern

Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP

Modern Dining Room in an open floor plan, sits between the Living Room, Kitchen and Backyard Patio. The modern electric fireplace wall is finished in distressed grey plaster. Modern Dining Room Furniture in Black and white is paired with a sculptural glass chandelier. Floor to ceiling windows and modern sliding glass doors expand the living space to the outdoors.

Amagansett Modern

Vital Habitats

Photo of a contemporary open plan dining in New York with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, grey floor and vaulted.

Now and Zen - Dining

Drewett Works

Ownby Designs commissioned a custom table from Peter Thomas Designs featuring a wood-slab top on acrylic legs, creating the illusion that it's floating. A pendant of glass balls from Hinkley Lighting is a key focal point. A Douglas fir ceiling, along with limestone floors and walls, creates a visually calm interior. Project Details // Now and Zen Renovation, Paradise Valley, Arizona Architecture: Drewett Works Builder: Brimley Development Interior Designer: Ownby Design Photographer: Dino Tonn Millwork: Rysso Peters Limestone (Demitasse) flooring and walls: Solstice Stone Windows (Arcadia): Elevation Window & Door Table: Peter Thomas Designs Pendants: Hinkley Lighting https://www.drewettworks.com/now-and-zen/

The Bedford House

Lori Dennis Interior Design

Harmony Colombes

Anne Chemineau - Decor Interieur

Une maison de maître du XIXème, entièrement rénovée, aménagée et décorée pour démarrer une nouvelle vie. Le RDC est repensé avec de nouveaux espaces de vie et une belle cuisine ouverte ainsi qu’un bureau indépendant. Aux étages, six chambres sont aménagées et optimisées avec deux salles de bains très graphiques. Le tout en parfaite harmonie et dans un style naturellement chic.

Media Bungalow

Deborah Bettcher - Decorating Den Interiors

This fresh dining room incorporates Scandinavian and Mid Century Modern styles to create a unique Nordic Chic vibe. The custom dining table was made by local craftsmen. The airy dining chairs are actually designed for outdoor use, so they will hold up to this family's busy lifestyle. The organic pattern on the area rug reflects the graceful lines of the evergreens in their front yard. Likewise, the faux bois chandelier lends an artful sculptural element to the space.

Lake Living Dining and Great Room

Joseph Philip Craig Custom Homes

Custom lake living at its finest, this Michigan property celebrates family living with contemporary spaces that embrace entertaining, sophistication, and fine living. The property embraces its location, nestled amongst the woods, and looks out towards an expansive lake.

Seaforth Family Home, Sydney, Australia

Georgina Wilson Associates

Open-plan dining space with custom-built dining table and banquette that can seat up to 16.
Large contemporary open plan dining in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors and exposed beam.

114 Keel Way Signature Home

Turrentine Properties, Inc.

Inspiration for a contemporary open plan dining in Austin with white walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor, exposed beam, vaulted and wood.

Topaz - Dining Room - The Bluffs

Blue Heron

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary separate dining room in Las Vegas with grey floor, recessed, ceramic floors and white walls.

Keller

Boclaud Architecture

Contemporary dining room in Paris with white walls, concrete floors, beige floor and exposed beam.

Bayview House

Aatos Design

Light-filled dining room
This is an example of a contemporary dining room in Sydney with light hardwood floors and timber.

All Ceiling Designs 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!