Contemporary Dining Room Ideas

Contemporary dining rooms require minimal furniture and accessories and the use of durable materials. This makes the space great for families because the room will be easy to clean and affordable to decorate. You might even be able to create a contemporary dining space with your existing pieces. Does this Spark an idea?

Contemporary Colors

Neutral colors often appear in contemporary design. A basic color palette allows you to keep up with the ever changing trends. Use inexpensive artwork and accessories so you are always on the edge of design. Paint the walls in a bright white, medium taupe or soft gray. If you want a more daring dining room, consider a bold chocolate brown or black. Use accessories such as bright orange plates or red curtains to bring in appetizing colors. Draw the accent color from artwork or use green accents for a nature-inspired room.

Materials and Focal Points

Contemporary design combines natural and manmade materials. Bring nature into the dining room with a durable laminate, bamboo or wood floor that can be easily cleaned. Leave wood trim unpainted to show off its natural beauty. Place a few plants around the dining room for a cozy touch.

The focus of a dining room space can be the architecture of your home or back yard. Accomplish this by keeping the room neutral so the eye drifts outside. Take off the window coverings to let more light in and lend a casual air to the contemporary dining room. If you want window treatments, try natural bamboo or grass shades. Add a silk panel on either side of the window. The shades will give you privacy and the curtains won't even need to close.

Furniture

Contemporary dining room furniture focuses on straight lines. Look for chairs that include a fabric element such as micro-suede parsons' chairs. Stainless steel and frosted glass make for a modern dining room table. Any wood tones should be dark, such as espresso, with minimal grain showing. Showcase the beauty of your dining room set by forgoing tablecloths or chair pads.

Accessories

Keep accessories to a minimum in a contemporary dining room for a sleek look. Make a decorating statement with the scale of the pieces you do use. Instead of a flower arrangement, place tall curly willows in a pottery vase in the corner of the room. Replace a traditional chandelier with an oversized drum shade.

Look for floor to ceiling artwork that can serve as the focal point of the space. You can create your own custom artwork by stretching a contemporary fabric over a frame and stapling it. Contemporary patterns are bold and geometric. Use the fabric in one area of the room so it really stands out.