13 modern dining room ideas

Fresh, bold, and surprisingly timeless, going for a modern feel with the dining space is a perfect opportunity to showcase your personality and play around with different looks, colour, and décor. There are so many ways to interpret and lean into this aesthetic, going beyond the dining set itself, from the ceiling all the way down to the rugs. 

With that in mind, here are our best tips for styling a contemporary dining space and going beyond the trends. Once you’re done reading, browse our range of modern dining tables to get started. 

A monochrome colour palette is a timeless option when decorating a modern dining room. White is a classic choice, but a more relaxing neutral tone like off-white or cream will make the room feel less stark and soften the room. Break up the clean base with black accents — this can be through black table or dining chair legs, artwork or accessories. 

This clean, curated aesthetic can be layered with cosy textures. Velvet, boucle or plush fabric are great picks for dining chairs and if you want to introduce a rug, it will warm up the room.

The open plan concept is a popular choice for modern homes as it offers a multifunctional space to cook, dine, work, and play. This layout removes barriers between the kitchen and other living spaces, creating an inviting space. To create a cohesive space, choose matching finishes for the kitchen and dining area, such as the same flooring or colour palette. You can even pick the same finishes for furniture like chrome legs for all the chairs. Create zones with the help of an area rug, which will still maintain the natural flow of the room.

Want to perk up a neutral dining room? A bold accent colour will do the trick. This can be through dining chairs or with artwork. Earth tones like terracotta, burnt orange or rust are currently trending and bring out the earthy elements of wooden textures. If you introduce accent colours through your dining chairs, this will immediately uplift the room and create a stylish focal point. 

If you want to bring in accent colours through artwork, the tip is to select a theme for your artwork like abstract patterns or prints. This will create a curated aesthetic and make the room feel more inviting.

If you want to maximise space in your kitchen diner (and are short on space), connect your dining table to your kitchen island. Pick the same colour for your chairs, bar stools and dining table to create a natural flow as the kitchen and dining area merge into one. To prevent the space from feeling flat, introduce different textures. Think marble effect table tops, luxe upholstery like velvet or plush fabric for contrasted with black metal or pendant lighting. 

Want to brighten up a dining room using furniture? Choose a chrome dining set. Thanks to its reflective surface, a chrome dining set will give your dining room a luxe, contemporary vibe. In terms of functionality, it’s a great choice too, as it is resistant to scratches and can be easily wiped down and cleaned.  For dining chairs, go for upholstery that chicly contrasts with chrome, like velvet or plush fabric. You can also bring in other chrome accents throughout the room with a chrome mirror or sparkly side table.

Pink has become the elegant colour of choice to soften a room while adding that dopamine boost. You may be wondering - which pink tone is the best? It depends on what kind of vibe you would like to set. Warm pink tones like mauve bring a romantic and nostalgic touch to your dining room, creating a sophisticated dining space. Light pinks like millennial pink are a calming option while making the space extremely Instagrammable. Since the walls are the focal point, the dining set should be in a neutral palette like beige or taupe.  

Grounding and calming, while still making a strong style statement, dark blue is a great colour to use in a modern dining room. Having this colour as an anchor for your space allows plenty of experimentation, especially since it goes together with so many colours. Whether it’s a bold, brass lamp, a modern dining set, or textured wall panelling, a dark blue wall offers a rich backdrop for it all, without being as intense as black or as stark as white.

Making a statement with bold lighting immediately draws the eyes upwards and creates a stylish focal point. Going for a centrepiece, such as a chandelier or sculptural pendant lamp, gives focus to your dining room and brings attention to the dining room set as well. Whether you opt for a geometric starburst chandelier, or modernist, bubble-inspired lamps, lighting is a quick way to create a bit (or a lot) of drama in your dining room. 

Modern farmhouse décor brings together traditional farmhouse elements updated with contemporary design. With an emphasis on natural materials, the modern farmhouse look is about creating a soft, cosy and textured environment. 

In the dining room, choose a wooden dining set preferably oak or a white dining set. If your dining chairs have upholstery, choose soft fabrics like cotton or linen.  When it comes to accessorising, pick metallic accents. Copper pans or jugs  contrast with the wooden furniture and brighten the space. If you want to bring in floral accents, a fresh bouquet or floral-printed artwork will liven up the home.

Luxe, understated style is one way to give your dining room a designer touch. Sleek sculptural shapes like curved accents are the way to go and can easily be introduced into your décor through furniture or as accents. For example, a round marble pedestal table will make a bold sculptural statement. Aside from that, introducing arches helps soften the space and enhances the architectural details if you highlight the alcoves. Complete the look by introducing curved motifs through accessories like vases or lamps to showcase the theme throughout your dining room.

Balance out the glitz, colour and eye-catching details of your ceiling and walls with a cosy rug. This has the dual effect of warming up your space and adding texture, which can be important to soften the edges of a clean, contemporary dining room.

So, for instance, if the rest of the room is relatively simple, you could opt for a rug with a stronger pattern, adding a pop of print while anchoring the room. On the other hand, if you have a vibrant room with plenty of colour, lean into it with a richly hued rug for a lovely contrast.

Dining rooms often get the short end of the stick when it comes to art in the home, with a lot of focus going to the living room, hallways and bedrooms. However, a modern dining space is the perfect place to put up some art, especially if it’s going to be a conversation starter.

There are a few approaches to take: a large piece artwork hung on a wall would have the same effect as a feature wall, while a gallery wall approach can give a sense of elegance and variety. But if you’re not interested in hanging anything up, using shelving to curate and showcase accessories adds a unique and personal touch to a modern dining room.

One way to liven up modern dining rooms is to introduce a variety of natural textures and earthy tones. A wooden dining set with modern accents, like a striking pedestal or black metal legs, will highlight the contrast between natural and contemporary.

The great thing is you can introduce natural elements throughout your dining space. This can be a Japanese-inspired paper lamp, soft neutral textiles for placemats when you’re hosting a dinner party and lots of tropical-inspired indoor plants that will immediately make your space feel alive and welcome.

We hope you enjoyed reading our modern dining room ideas. Looking for more décor tips? Read our guide on the best dining room colour ideas for more inspiration.