How to make your dining room look modern – 12 ideas to impress your guests

When it comes to dining rooms, traditional styles and aesthetics are often favoured in an effort to create a sophisticated space to impress guests with. But modern dining room ideas can create just as much of a wow factor as a more traditional dining area.

And there are several ways and dining room ideas that you can incorporate into your home in order to give your space a contemporary edge, whether that’s with the help of some of the latest home decor trends or more timeless minimalist styles that never disappoint.

From the right dining room lighting ideas to the most modern colour schemes, these tips will help you achieve a contemporary dining room in no time.

Modern dining room ideas

Of course, what is considered modern changes all the time. So what is considered a modern dining room according to our experts?

‘A modern dining room is defined by its clean lines, minimalistic design, and functional yet stylish furniture,’ says Claire Garner, director at Claire Garner Interiors. ‘To make a dining room look modern, focus on simplicity.’

Lucy Mather, interiors expert at Arighi Bianchi, adds, ‘I would say chic minimalism, clean lines, and eye-catching décor to add personality are key aspects of a modern dining room. There are lots of ways to incorporate a modern dining aesthetic. It’s all about creating a contemporary space that seamlessly blends comfort and style with functionality and practicality.’

And these are just a few of the ways in which you can turn your dining room into a contemporary dining space.

1. Hang up an abstract artwork

Dining rooms should be decorated just like any other room in your house. So don’t neglect the walls and hang some art. If you’re going for a modern vibe then taking cues from modern art will work best, especially if you opt for an abstract dining room wall decor idea.

‘Integrating thoughtful decor, such as abstract artwork or a large centrepiece, helps maintain the modern, airy feel,’ Claire confirms.

You don’t even have to buy one – you can create one yourself. It can even be a family project that gets the whole house involved. And if you’re short on large-scale paper and canvases, then the wall will do, much like in the image above.

2. Incorporate statement lighting

Dining room lighting is one of the most important elements of the room as it helps to create the right ambiance, depending on the occasion. And while layering your lighting is highly recommended and it’s one of the biggest lighting trends of the moment, a modern dining room will benefit from a statement pendant light suspended above the table to create a contemporary focal point.

‘Modern lighting is a must, whether that’s using an elegant pendant or a geometric chandelier as a centrepiece,’ Lucy at Arighi Bianchi says.

Claire agrees, ‘Lighting is a key feature in modern dining rooms, statement pendant lights or sleek, recessed lighting can instantly elevate the space and highlight the contemporary furniture.'

3. Choose a sleek dining table

The dining table idea is the real centrepiece of every dining room and usually the largest piece of furniture in the space. So choosing the right one for you and the room is imperative. If you’re looking to create a modern look and feel, there are certain materials and shapes that will help you do that.

‘A streamlined dining table with glass or metal elements is both stylish and functional. Or why not give your dining room an update with a contemporary resin-topped table?’ Lucy at Arighi Bianchi suggests.

‘The most modern styles of dining tables emphasise clean lines, simplicity, and functionality, blending contemporary materials like glass or marble with minimalist design. Invest in a rustic wood table with metal legs for a modern industrial vibe or opt for curved edges to bring a gentle aesthetic to the space and embody the fluidity and organic form found in the natural world. Curves have been making waves in interior design recently,’ she adds.

4. Include different textures

Just as Kelly Hoppen says, texture is the most important element in a room. Texture is what makes a space feel warm, inviting and cosy – all the things you want in a dining room, whether it’s a modern or a traditional one. But texture layering is also a very popular home decor trend which you can inject into your dining area through combining tablecloths, table runners, placemats and napkins, as well as tactile cushions and cosy throws adorning the dining chairs or benches.

‘Make a statement with thoughtfully chosen accessories and add textural variety with complementary table linen or a rug,’ Lucy says.

5. Hero a sideboard

Sideboards are essential dining room storage within modern dining spaces, but contemporary designs are very different to the sideboard you might have grown up with. Wall hung, with push-closed doors, they are more like kitchen units, which makes a modern sideboard a great way of unifying an open-plan kitchen-dining space.

A modern dining room can still be warm and inviting. Try mixing a white sideboard with an oak dining table and chairs, upholstered in a warm grey.

6. Mix and match for an eclectic space

Opt for eclectic modern dining room ideas by mixing different finishes and materials. Try metal chairs in a colour-pop red, galvanised, and warm wooden ones, adding vibrancy to your dining space. Go for a modern rug underfoot that echoes the feature wall blue paint. A statement pendant in brushed chrome makes a statement against such an intense colour.

Mix patterns on a theme for a contemporary collection of ceramics: ikat and tribal-inspired designs in reds and blues, bring the modern vibe to the tabletop.

7. Go for accent chairs

In a neutral dining room, work in colour with contrasting accent chairs. Look for chairs with a curved back – curves can be more inviting in a contemporary space that has lots of straight line – while chrome chair legs add to that modern styling.

When looking for window treatments for your dining room decor moodboard, full-length curtains are a great way of adding contemporary pattern without wallpapering. When the curtains are closed at night, the pattern will give a similar impact to a feature wall.

8. Don't always think white

White doesn't have to be the automatic choice for modern dining room ideas – you can use a plethora of shades, like this green dining room, for a fresh, contemporary dining. Start with your dining table idea with a walnut table a great choice. Pair with contrasting chairs, then bring in touches of blush pink in your decor and soft furnishings.

9. Try a modern Scandi look

Scandi style is perfect for a modern dining room idea, with pale colours, natural wood and simple shapes. Start with a wooden dining table – the table is the heart of a Scandi kitchen-dinner, where moments of hygge are shared. Add designer-style dining chairs, which you’ll love for years to come. Then choose your dining room colour scheme idea – naturals with touches of blue and biscuit bring out those warm tones.

Think about the space above your table and your dining room wall décor idea: try hanging a duo of pendants, displaying tall grasses in a vase below, creating a lovely organic shape.

10. Be dramatic with black

Give your modern dining room ideas an instant makeover by painting the walls black, creating a dramatic dining room colour scheme. Black provides an intense backdrop; try adding foliage – whether through a patterned leafy blind or a large pot plant, the vibrant green really pops.

'A darker decor aesthetic is a fantastic way to bring your dining room up to date. Black always plays well with minimalism – if black decor is too much, try injecting a touch of drama with black dining chairs or a black table with multicoloured chairs for a fun colour pop,' Lucy at Arighi Bianchi says.

Continue the dining room paint ideas with pops of colour through vibrant chairs mixed in with neutral ones; a large dining table idea provides the perfect place to mix and match chair colours.

11. Create a modern corner

Clean lines, simple shapes and soft colour, this modern dining room idea would work brilliantly in the corner of a white-gloss kitchen-diner. The painted circle on the wall spotlights the table below – look at how the branches are allowed to visually ‘cut’ into the circle, uniting the table and wall. It’s such an easy but effective dining room wall décor idea.

A modern pedestal dining table idea is a great choice for small dining room ideas – the chairs can all tuck neatly under, and you can accommodate more around a circular table than a square or rectangular one as no-one needs deal with a leg.

12. Try modern highlights

Silver-grey and navy are a lovely modern dining room colour scheme – they provide a crisp, clean yet sophisticated look to a dining space. Choose a dining room wallpaper that has a silvery shimmer, which is echoed in velvet silver upholstery fabric and a statement dining room mirror idea. To avoid the space looking cold, bring in touches of warm gold through your choice of lighting, table linen and decorative accessories.

Find dining room inspiration at your favourite boutique hotel or restaurant: Look at how dining room light ideas create mood, the choice of wall art, and the furniture used.

FAQs

What makes a dining room contemporary?

Often we think of modern dining room ideas as open-plan, sharing the floor area with a kitchen and/or living area. ‘We are definitely using our dining spaces in more of a multi-functional fashion, than just singular activity,’ says interior designer Rukmini Patel. Yet a modern dining room can still be a separate room. What makes either modern is the way furniture, colour, lighting, wall décor and use of space all come together in a contemporary way.

Think about the mood you want to create – light and bright, or dark and intimate. Then declutter your dining room, with a large modern sideboard ideal for storage. Dining room lighting plays a huge part in a modern design; adding layers of light: try a pendant, wall lights and table lamps, while colour and pattern give you chance to express your personality (modern doesn’t mean white and cold!).

Finally go to town with your table décor. ‘Tablescaping’ is huge and it’s all about decking out your dining table to the nines! And involves everything from patterned tablecloths, matching table mats and napkins, to place cards and a lot of flowers!’ says Rukmini.

How do you make an old dining table look modern?

We’ve all been there – stuck with a piece of furniture that you can’t get rid of (either for sentimental reasons, the cost of a replacement or that – apart from its look – works in every other way). ‘A tablecloth is a simple way,’ says Emma-Louise from Neptune. ‘And nobody needs to know it doesn't matter what condition your table is underneath.’ Try a linen tablecloth for a rustic twist on modern dining room ideas.

You can also paint the table: try adding a colour pop to the legs, which you can pick out in your accessories used throughout the space or paint the top too. Feeling handy? See if the legs can be swapped for a more contemporary hairpin set; or look at salvaging the table legs and asking a local glazier to fit a new toughened glass tabletop.

But whether you’re having a meal with the family or hosting a dinner party, a modern dining room can be both functional and stylish, while creating an inviting atmosphere to enjoy food and pleasant conversation in.