Contemporary Dining Room Ideas and Designs

Private Residence

Sonnemann Toon Architects

Photo of a contemporary dining room in London.

Fulham Town House

Click London

Inspiration for a contemporary dining room in London.

Golders Green, London

Artline Joinery Ltd

Inspiration for a contemporary dining room in London.

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Renovated 1960's House in Highgate, North London

Murus Art

Limited edition framed art print by Jayson Lilley in north London renovated 1960's House in Highgate.
This is an example of a contemporary dining room in London.

Kent remodel

Pineapple Interiors

Photo of a contemporary dining room in London.

Complete Kitchen Renovation

One L Building Services

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

Kohtalo

Unique Homestays

Inspiration for a large contemporary open plan dining room in Devon with white walls and grey floors.

Sandbanks

LEIVARS

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

The Barnes House 3 - Dining area

Fraher & Findlay Architects Ltd

Located in Barnes, London, this project rejuvenates an existing Victorian terrace house, which had lost its character due to previous alterations. The key change made was to open up the rear living spaces to the garden, achieved by lowering the rear floor levels to create a seamless connection with the outdoors. A new timber-lined opening was introduced to link the front and back of the house, blending old and new elements. Natural light was a central consideration in the design, with spaces strategically arranged to make the most of daylight throughout the day.

Herne Hill Kitchen

Alex Dauley

Design ideas for a contemporary dining room in London with white walls and beige floors.

Knightsbridge Development

Tracy Holliday Interiors

This is an example of a contemporary dining room in London with grey walls, dark hardwood flooring, a standard fireplace, brown floors and panelled walls.

Edis Street | Bright | Bold | Elegant

HUX London

Settling here from overseas, the owners of this house in Primrose Hill chose the area for its quintessentially English architecture and bohemian feel. They loved the property’s original features and wanted their new home to be light and spacious, with plenty of storage and an eclectic British feel. As self-confessed ‘culture vultures’, the couple’s art collection formed the basis of their home’s colour palette. Originally set over four-storeys, the property was tall and narrow with boxy rooms, which made it feel dark and poky. Custom joinery was designed in a myriad of different styles for each room to house the family’s belongings. The ceiling height was increased to create a bright, open family kitchen-diner, which leads to a courtyard garden. There’s a fresh, energetic palette, with aqua-blue and white kitchen cabinetry complemented by fashionable ice cream shades in the dining area. A colourful bespoke rug and contemporary artwork provide the finishing touches. Custom-made cabinetry sits within an alcove housing children’s books, toys and a TV, while further storage is concealed beneath a smart upholstered banquette. In the master suite, a corridor of stylish soft pink panelling conceals floor-to-ceiling wardrobes and leads to a stunning antique mirrored doorway, behind which is a generous marble-clad en-suite bathroom.

Contemporary London Mews Kitchen

Chisholm Design

Design ideas for a contemporary dining room in Surrey with white walls and grey floors.

Stoke Newington Extension

Kia Designs

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

Brown

Roundhouse

Contemporary dining room in London with banquette seating, multi-coloured floors and wood walls.

Little Venice Georgian Townhouse

Margot Tsim Interiors

Photo of a large contemporary dining room in London with white walls, dark hardwood flooring and brown floors.

The Hook | EN5

Design Team

This carefully considered layout, maximises the space whilst constructing separate areas within an open plan space.
Contemporary dining room in Other.

Regent's Park I

Calibre Climate

Photo of a contemporary dining room in London with white walls, dark hardwood flooring and brown floors.

Apartment, London

BradyWilliams Studio

Inspiration for a contemporary dining room in London.

Contemporary Dining Room Ideas and Designs

For many of us, our dining rooms are combined with our kitchens or living rooms and so it’s hard to give them a defined style or design, whereas many people who do have a separate dining room often overlook redesigning the space because it is used fairly infrequently. However, if you can make your contemporary dining room or dining room area an inviting but practical space to eat with friends and family, then you’ll have no excuse not to be the ever gracious dinner party host and make the most of your contemporary dining space. Dining room ideas can range from the dramatic overhaul of layout, walls, doors, fireplaces or lighting features, to the refresh of furniture such as dining tables and chairs, or even smaller details such as dinnerware, cutlery, chair covers and small decorative features. So whether you are looking to completely redesign your dining room or you’re just looking for some contemporary dining room decorating ideas, you’re bound to find some inspiration from other homeowners, designers and stylists who’ve uploaded images of their dining rooms on Houzz.

How should I choose my dining room table?

Dining tables can be large, imposing pieces of furniture and so it’s a good idea to choose your table first and plan your decor around them. Comfort and ease of movement in dining rooms is key – even though we spend most of our time sitting, it’s preferable not to dine in cramped quarters (and crucial as a host to be able to move around the table to serve your guests). When choosing your dining room table, consider the number of people you expect to regularly seat – the perfect size for a dining table allows an intimate meal without feeling crowded. A round table leaves plenty of room for serving food at its centre, but a rectangular table is more flexible for seating extra guests at either end. If you’re after true versatility, drop leaf or extendable dining room tables are the most convenient option. The material of your selected table will set the character of your room. Glass dining tables look sleek and modern, whilst a pine or oak dining table will lend dining rooms a rustic country vibe. For a more traditional dining table opt for a dark polished wood like mahogany. Check out all the dining room decorating ideas on Houzz to see how different materials of dining table are incorporated into different rooms.

What are the best dining chairs for my table?

If your table hasn’t been sold with matching chairs then you have some extra flexibility to select dining chairs that suit your desired dining room feel. For traditional dining rooms you will want to opt for a full set of high backed formal dining chairs, whether these are upholstered, leather or wood framed. If you are looking for a more informal dining room, then a selection of mismatched chairs in different materials such as moulded plastic and even metal can be a great way to achieve this. For a really relaxed dining experience, you could even opt for a full length bench, which has the additional advantage of saving space as it can be tucked away under the table when not in use.

How should I decorate my contemporary dining room?

Elegant, neutral palettes are the safest dining room decorating ideas for smaller rooms, creating a calm dining environment for your guests. Pattern in a dining room can be a great choice to create drama but in order to not overwhelm your guests you might want to stick to a few stand-out elements – for example, wallpaper, curtains or chair covers. If you are lucky enough to have a large formal dining room then you could consider bold, opulent shades for your walls to create a grander feel. Your tableware and serveware should ideally be chosen to coordinate with your decor choices, but if all else fails keep it white, bright and simple. Lighting is also key to your dining room decor – aim for dimmable light that you can adjust to create the mood that will allow your guests to relax but still be able to see their food. Low pendant lights directly over the dining table are both practical and striking, or for large formal dining rooms you may want to opt for a traditional chandelier hung from the centre of the room. Additional wall sconces along the walls can be a great way to brighten up the room for late night dinner parties, and don’t forget how a couple of candles along your dining room table can add a delicate, finishing touch. Discover more of these popular design photo ideas.

Interior photography

Ian Kingsnorth Photography

Design ideas for a contemporary dining room in Cornwall.

United Kingdom

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