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.

Coffered Ceilings

Fratantoni Interior Designers

Custom Luxury Coffered Ceilings for your Inspiration by Fratantoni Interior Designers. Follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more inspiring photos!

Brookhaven Remodel

Graystone Design

Michael McNeal Photography
Large contemporary separate dining room in Atlanta with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Summit Signature Homes, Inc.

Beechen & Dill Homes

A custom home builder in Chicago's western suburbs, Summit Signature Homes, ushers in a new era of residential construction. With an eye on superb design and value, industry-leading practices and superior customer service, Summit stands alone. Custom-built homes in Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Western Springs, and other western suburbs.

Dining Room

Nate Fischer Interiors

Nate Fischer Interior Design
Inspiration for a large contemporary separate dining room in Orange County with black walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Bespoke Beauty

Heather Garrett Design

Custom locally built dining table designed by For a family wanting a dramatic entry and dining room, but with requirements that it be an indestructible venue for weekly brunches with guest lists including small children! Our first solution was to create a contrasting border integral to the hardwood floor, in lieu of an area rug. From there, we introduced furniture in resilient materials such as fiberglass chairs and a locally made custom table of Heather's design in reclaimed hardwood, steel and acrylic. Luxurious drapes, dramatic accessories and a chandelier with glimmer added the required panache. Interior design by Heather Garrett Interior Design. Custom original dining table designed by Heather Garrett available through Heather Garrett Interior Design. Contact us for more information. Photography by John Bessler

Tiny house: Flexible use dining and entry area by Kimball Starr Interior

Kimball Starr Interior Design

Small space living solutions are used throughout this contemporary 596 square foot tiny house. Adjustable height table in the entry area serves as both a coffee table for socializing and as a dining table for eating. Curved banquette is upholstered in outdoor fabric for durability and maximizes space with hidden storage underneath the seat. Kitchen island has a retractable countertop for additional seating while the living area conceals a work desk and media center behind sliding shoji screens. Calming tones of sand and deep ocean blue fill the tiny bedroom downstairs. Glowing bedside sconces utilize wall-mounting and swing arms to conserve bedside space and maximize flexibility.

Modern Luxe Family Home, Markham ON

avenue design inc

Design ideas for a large contemporary separate dining room in Toronto with black walls, light hardwood floors, beige floor and wallpaper.

Comedor | Decoración | CASA DEL PATIO

JORNET | Arquitectos

This is an example of a large contemporary separate dining room in Alicante-Costa Blanca with white walls, ceramic floors, no fireplace, beige floor and brick walls.

Grapevine Texas Urban Modern Home

Ruthie Staalsen Interiors

Design ideas for a contemporary separate dining room in Dallas with white walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Nash Pond House

Sellars Lathrop Architects, llc

This is an example of a large contemporary separate dining room in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Contemporary Suburban Home

Madison Taylor

Nat Caron Photography
Photo of a contemporary separate dining room in Toronto with blue walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Crystal Harbour Home

Equiterra Regenerative Design

Patrick Coulie Photography
This is an example of a large contemporary separate dining room in Albuquerque with white walls, porcelain floors and grey floor.

Kitchen

by SHnordic

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary separate dining room in Buckinghamshire with white walls, concrete floors, a wood stove, a metal fireplace surround and grey floor.

Baker Street, Marylebone

Gunter & Co Interiors Ltd

This is an example of a large contemporary separate dining room in London with white walls, beige floor, no fireplace and medium hardwood floors.

Hunter Douglas - Vertical Blinds

Drapery Works

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary separate dining room in San Francisco with white walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace surround.

Traditional With Pops of Color

Robin Gannon Interiors

This home was transformed with a traditional look and colorful statement pieces.
Mid-sized contemporary separate dining room in Boston with brown walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

Chelsea Built-in Casual Dining

Betty Wasserman Art & Interiors

A casual banquette we designed to fit seamlessly in this trendy New York City loft. With mostly cool gray textiles, we added in touches of lavender and crisp white for visual intrigue and added brightness. The modern glass table is one of the most unique aspects, with a silver metallic base, adding in an artistic touch. Project Location: New York. Project designed by interior design firm, Betty Wasserman Art & Interiors. From their Chelsea base, they serve clients in Manhattan and throughout New York City, as well as across the tri-state area and in The Hamptons. For more about Betty Wasserman, click here: https://www.bettywasserman.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.bettywasserman.com/spaces/south-chelsea-loft/

Rising Glen, Hollywood Hills

Tuggey Construction

Photography by Jonathan Padilla
Design ideas for a small contemporary separate dining room in Los Angeles with beige walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace and beige floor.

Casa Corbino

Merzbau Design Collective

A view of the vaulted ceiling and full-height bookcase in the dining room/library. Wall paint color: "Evening Sky," Benjamin Moore. Photo Atelier Wong.

Contemporary Separate 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!