25 Modern dining room ideas

By Elise Hodge

Updated: March 7th, 2024

Give your dining room a complete makeover with these fresh tips!

Your dining room is one of the most special places in your home because it’s where you eat meals and spend time with the most important people in your life. That’s why they should be designed to be welcoming and comfortable for everyone.

If you’re wondering what interior design style to go with, modern dining rooms look fantastic and will spruce up your space for years to come. The great news is that modern styling comes in many different forms, so the trend is likely to suit most dining rooms.

So without further ado, here are 25 modern dining room ideas to help get your dining room looking its best!

1. Monochrome and wood

For an effortlessly chic interior, you can’t go wrong with monochrome colour schemes and wood. The key to a clean, well-thought-out look is having the same tone of wood for different furniture and fixtures for consistency.

Modern table and chairs in the kitchen
Source: Max Vakhtbovych via Pexels

2. Rounded shapes

Round shapes in any design psychologically evoke positivity. Using rounded shapes in your interiors helps create a sense of comfort and calm rather than having lots of sharp and straight edges.

Wooden round dining table in a bright home interior.

3. Elegant dining

Simple can always be elevated to elegance. For example, minimalist interiors are a great backdrop for bold, detailed decor. Think: chandeliers for high ceilings, unique sculptures for display, or even floral bouquet centrepieces.

Dining area with comfortable chairs and table in modern apartment
Source: Max Vakhtbovych via Pexels

4. Black feature wall

Doing a black feature wall is a great way to add dimension to your space without completely repainting your interiors. Incorporate dark wood and black accent furniture to enhance the luxurious feel of the interiors.

Modern kitchen with black wall, table, and chairs
Source: Max Vakhtbovych via Pexels

5. Bench seating

Expecting frequent guests? Make room for more with a bench or two. Adding this type of seating to your dining area is a comfortable option that opens up room for more people.

Empty dining room with bench chairs
Source: Curtis Adams via Pexels

6. Minimalist and modern

Make a statement with minimalist interiors. It serves as an excellent backdrop for statement pieces or art.

Brown wooden table with white chairs
Source: Curtis Adams via Pexels

7. Sophisticated gold

Going gold can never go wrong. It brings a sense of sophistication when done right. Select fine gold lighting to go with furniture pieces with gold detailing so as not to overwhelm the interior. Set the whole dining scene over a beautifully detailed rug for extra extravagance.

Classic dining room mockup with grey white wall, luxury green dining set, and gold lamp.

8. Calm and comfortable

Don’t be afraid to use upholstered armchairs for your dining area. Depending on your style, you can play up your space or give it a casual vibe with dark colours and wood furniture.

Interior of stylish dining room in contemporary flat
Source: Max Vakhtbovych via Pexels

9. Bold and colourful

Don’t be afraid to show colour in your dining room. It adds character to your home. Find seats in your favourite colour and match its shade to select pieces to seamlessly incorporate into your home.

Pink interior of modern kitchen and dining area in apartment
Source: Max Vakhtbovych via Pexels

10. Whimsical wallpaper

Wallpaper is another great way to do something with walls that look a little tired. You can go for whimsical or abstract-style wallpaper. Again, the key is pairing your colours with the furniture for a put-together look.

Dining area in apartment with patterned wallpaper.

11. Dining bar

Small homes deserve a great dining experience too. Invest in an island that doubles as a kitchen space and a dining area. A sturdy set of fun bar stools can make it even more inviting for guests.

Beautiful dining bar kitchen

12. Rattan pendant light

Rattan pendant lights are a classy trend that can easily make dining areas modern and inviting. It’s the perfect addition to a minimalist interior with house plants.

hanging rattan pendant light
Source: Karolina Grabowska via Pexels

Need help installing light fixtures? Find professionals near you to get it done in no time.

13. Fit for modern royalty

Light fixtures can easily elevate and define a space, especially with an open floor plan. Bring in comfortable plush seating and tableware that matches your interior’s colour palette for a clean look.

Modern glass dining table with chairs
Source: Jeffry Surianto via Pexels

14. Rustic modern

Centrepieces set on neutral interiors are often the focal point of rustic dining rooms. The most common types are dried flowers in artistic clay pots or glass bottles. Dried flowers are also a great eco-friendly alternative to having fresh blooms on display, as they last much longer and require little to no maintenance. Add comfortable seating for an even more laid-back vibe.

Rustic modern dining table set

15. Earthy tones

If you love the look of black but want something softer, brown is a fantastic option. Pair brown chairs with wooden tables for a warm and inviting ambience. Adding indoor plants and golden lighting gives a more lived-in feel, too.

brown-and-black wooden 5-piece dining set
Source: Francesca Tosolini via Unsplash

16. Velvet textures

Looking for a more luxurious look? Velvet seating will do just the trick. If you’re interested in going for more than just basic black or neutrals, explore calming colours like deep greens, blues, or purple for your chairs.

Large modern dining table with velvet blue chairs

17. Unique pendant lighting

High ceilings are ideal spaces for charming pendant lights. Match its material to your furniture or colour palette to blend seamlessly with your interiors.

Dining table inside a modern style room
Source: Keegan Checks via Pexels

18. Room for all

If you have a big family, a long dining hall with comfortable high-back chairs around a spacious table will make all the difference. Take it a step further with an elegant chandelier above the space to light and evoke a homier feel.

Large and spacious dining area

19. Modern monochrome

Modern monochrome prompts pristine cream walls outlined with sleek black details from chairs, tables, art, and even light fixtures. Don’t be afraid to bring in splashes of wood or pops of colour to bring in visual interest.

Modern monochrome dining area

20. Light, bright and simple

You don’t need much to call your interiors beautiful. Simple is best, after all. If your dining room is just by the window, diffuse the light with sheer curtains that let the light in. Select a table and chairs with detailing that match your interiors. Add indoor plants for a refreshing pop of colour, too.

Light, bright, and airy dining room

21. Smaller space living

If you have a smaller space to work with and a smaller family to accommodate, then this one’s for you. A smaller round table is a great choice as it easily fits most room shapes. Add some comfortable chairs and a modern light pendant to hang over the top, and voila!

Stylish interior of small dining room with family table

22. Windows all around

A dining room by the windows provides a lot of ventilation and breathing space, especially in hot summers. Keep them open and bare, or add a long, flowy curtain to block out the sun.

Modern dining room with large windows

23. Squared area

If you prefer clean lines in your home, this one’s for you. Build your space around a simple wooden dining table and pair it with sturdy seating. Install a pendant light or modern chandelier above the area to define where the dining table lives.

Corner view on bright dining room interior

24. Mix and match

Can’t decide on one type of chair design? The good news is you can have them all. The secret to mixing and matching furniture is ensuring they all fit the colour scheme.

Dining area with different stylistic elements

Need help assembling different seating? Connect with local professionals to help assemble your furniture in no time.

25. Industrial living

The secret to industrial design is to ensure you’re seeing materials like bare concrete, wood, iron, and brick in your interiors. Balance the rough surfaces with elegant details like soft light fixtures and small centrepieces.

Dining room interior design in modern industrial style

 

Hopefully, these 25 modern dining room ideas will help you decide how to spruce up your dining rooms. If you’re ready to change but don’t know where to start, you can always find dining room designers near you to bring your ideas to life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elise H

I've recently moved into a new home and I've been having so much fun decorating it with pretty wall prints and Scandinavian-inspired furniture. So as well as being a freelance writer, I'm always on the lookout for new design pieces for my home!

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