Contemporary dining room ideas and inspo.
Are you designing a contemporary dining room and looking for inspiration? You’ve come to the right place. Spoak has all the interior design inspiration to get those creative juices flowing. Browse room designs, inspiration images and decor ideas or take our free room design tool for a spin below!
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Design tips for decorating a contemporary style dining room
Here’s how to achieve the contemporary aesthetic room of your dreams.What’s the best way to design and decorate a contemporary dining room?
Creating a dining room that serves as a welcoming hub for meals, gatherings, and memorable conversations begins with thoughtful planning. The arrangement of furniture not only influences the room's aesthetic appeal but also its practicality and comfort. By employing a strategic approach to your dining room design, you can achieve a space that harmonizes form and function, making every meal an experience to cherish.
Whether you're in the process of a dining room remodel or looking to makeover your existing one, these are the key elements to include in your design:
- Paint or Wallpaper: Select a color or pattern that sets the desired mood for the dining room and complements the contemporary style you want to achieve. We are partial to covering walls, ceilings, and trim in a uniform paint color to create a cohesive look. Or consider an accent wall to serve as a focal point.
- Dining Table & Chairs: The heart of the dining room, your table should be chosen with care, considering its shape, size, and placement. This piece sets the tone for the room's overall design and functionality, acting as the anchor for all other elements. Pro tip: Divide your table’s outside dimensions by 24 inches to find out how many people you can seat comfortably. Complementing your table, the chairs should offer comfort and style.
- Storage Furniture: Practical yet stylish storage solutions like buffets, sideboards, and credenzas are key to a clutter-free dining area. They provide essential storage and a space for serving dishes. Position these pieces to maintain a clear pathway around the table, ideally 3-4 feet from the table’s edge.
- Area Rug: Love them or hate them, rugs in the dining room are a hot topic. A well-chosen rug can define the dining space and add a layer of warmth and texture. If you opt for a rug, ensure it extends at least 24 inches beyond the table on all sides, allowing chairs to remain on the rug even when pulled out.
- Decorative Lighting: Central lighting, such as a chandelier or pendant, should be positioned directly above the table to illuminate the area evenly and serve as a visual centerpiece. Dimmer switches can adjust the mood.
- Curtains or Blinds: Window treatments not only help control the light and provide privacy but also serve to tie the room's design together. They offer an opportunity to inject color, texture, and pattern into the living space, making it more inviting and personalized. Whether flowing and sheer for a light, airy feel or rich and textured for a more luxurious look, curtains play a pivotal role in setting the tone and atmosphere of the dining room. Don’t forget the curtain rod!
Get creative and have fun with your contemporary dining room makeover! If you need an extra hand, check out our step-by-step guide on How To Design a Room.
What materials and home decor should I use to achieve a contemporary dining room design?
The word “contemporary” is often thrown out in the design world, but what does it actually mean? (We thought you’d never ask.) Contemporary interior design is ever-evolving, reflecting current design trends and innovations while maintaining a sleek, sophisticated aesthetic. Unlike our other design styles, contemporary design isn’t tied to a specific time period. Contemporary design borrows elements from modernism, minimalism, and art deco, prioritizing clean lines, neutral color palettes with bold contrasts, and open spaces that promote a sense of calm and order.
To achieve a contemporary look in your dining room, focus on furniture and accessories that are sleek and streamlined. Furniture should be stylish yet functional, with an emphasis on form and quality materials like glass, metal, and smooth wood. Decor is minimalist but impactful, with statement pieces like large-scale art or sculptural lighting taking center stage. The contemporary style is adaptive and fluid, effortlessly blending elements from various periods and movements to create spaces that are cutting-edge and harmonious.