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10 Retro Ideas Reworked For Modern Living: The Dining Room
When looking for dining room design ideas, take a pinch of mid-20th-century style and a dollop of 21st-century smarts for real impact
Modernist design developed at a pace from the 1950s to the 1970s. While the ’50s and early ’60s played with pastel hues and spindly chair legs, the mid-’60s and ’70s took on a more refined aesthetic, with plush upholstery and dramatic lighting. With so many options, there’s a world of choice for your dining space.
2. Banquette seating
Created as a nod to the classic Americana diner, banquette seating has come a long way since its popularity in the ’50s. In the example pictured here, characteristic spaciousness and quality materials give the room real glamour and sophistication – and not a waitress or jukebox in sight! Just remember, small details count; that’s why the button-tufted upholstery evokes the mid-century era, while the rich timber surrounds add a cosy ambience to the space.
Cool eating nooks
Created as a nod to the classic Americana diner, banquette seating has come a long way since its popularity in the ’50s. In the example pictured here, characteristic spaciousness and quality materials give the room real glamour and sophistication – and not a waitress or jukebox in sight! Just remember, small details count; that’s why the button-tufted upholstery evokes the mid-century era, while the rich timber surrounds add a cosy ambience to the space.
Cool eating nooks
3. Geometric wall units
Minimal and modern, this dining space draws from the owner’s penchant for mid-century furniture and lighting. The dramatic timber wall unit is a new piece, but is reminiscent of the small decorative picture boxes that were typical in mid-century homes.
Shadow and display box ideas
Minimal and modern, this dining space draws from the owner’s penchant for mid-century furniture and lighting. The dramatic timber wall unit is a new piece, but is reminiscent of the small decorative picture boxes that were typical in mid-century homes.
Shadow and display box ideas
4. Area rugs
This dining area is as refined as mid-century movie star Grace Kelly – renowned for her elegance, style and restraint. To anchor the room, a geometric rug adds to the subtle and sophisticated style.
Decorating with rugs
This dining area is as refined as mid-century movie star Grace Kelly – renowned for her elegance, style and restraint. To anchor the room, a geometric rug adds to the subtle and sophisticated style.
Decorating with rugs
5. Glitz and glamour
Shimmering surfaces provide lustre and sensuality to this dining space – ideal when designing a hip bachelor pad or a high-fashion home for entertainers. Retro wallpaper, such as that pictured here, achieves extra impact when hung under a midnight-toned ceiling. It gives a sense of intimacy, even in the most glamorous zone. For extra drama, the over-sized Sputnik chandelier provides gentle illumination to the dining area.
More rooms with metallic decor
Shimmering surfaces provide lustre and sensuality to this dining space – ideal when designing a hip bachelor pad or a high-fashion home for entertainers. Retro wallpaper, such as that pictured here, achieves extra impact when hung under a midnight-toned ceiling. It gives a sense of intimacy, even in the most glamorous zone. For extra drama, the over-sized Sputnik chandelier provides gentle illumination to the dining area.
More rooms with metallic decor
6. Mismatched chairs
To make different chairs work in a dining area, a common theme is required, be it colour, materials or – as seen here – a mid-century aesthetic. The concept adds versatility to the room – new chairs can be added and swapped over time for a fresh look.
Mix-and-match dining chairs
To make different chairs work in a dining area, a common theme is required, be it colour, materials or – as seen here – a mid-century aesthetic. The concept adds versatility to the room – new chairs can be added and swapped over time for a fresh look.
Mix-and-match dining chairs
7. Island innovation
Modernist furniture and 21st-century design have come together to produce this well-executed kitchen/dining zone. While the timber veneer and glossy white surfaces – including the Eames chairs with Eiffel bases – make the room light and clean, the green bulb pendants create a natural link to the outdoor tropical area.
Modernist furniture and 21st-century design have come together to produce this well-executed kitchen/dining zone. While the timber veneer and glossy white surfaces – including the Eames chairs with Eiffel bases – make the room light and clean, the green bulb pendants create a natural link to the outdoor tropical area.
8. Artwork
When contemporary artwork is a major element in the dining zone, it’s important to play down everything else. Luckily, this can be implemented by sticking with white paint and timber furniture. Here, mid-century spindle-back chairs and a Louis Poulsen add refinement without detracting from the portraits.
Super-sized portraiture at home
When contemporary artwork is a major element in the dining zone, it’s important to play down everything else. Luckily, this can be implemented by sticking with white paint and timber furniture. Here, mid-century spindle-back chairs and a Louis Poulsen add refinement without detracting from the portraits.
Super-sized portraiture at home
9. Space-age lighting
Placing an iconic mid-century collection in a different setting can be positively mesmerising. Here, the collection of Bubble lamps by George Nelson somehow work, even though the rest of the room has a strong beachside feel. Luckily, the refined pendants fit right in, naturally.
Atomic age design
Placing an iconic mid-century collection in a different setting can be positively mesmerising. Here, the collection of Bubble lamps by George Nelson somehow work, even though the rest of the room has a strong beachside feel. Luckily, the refined pendants fit right in, naturally.
Atomic age design
10. Sled-base chairs
Adding a fluoro-green touch brings real zing to a dining zone. The retro feel works beautifully with the Saarinen-inspired table and the elegant sideboard, but still manages to look quite modern. It’s also worth noting that the chairs are sled-based – an ideal option for timber or concrete flooring as they cause minimal scratching.
TELL US
Do you think retro features can work successfully in a contemporary dining room? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
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Adding a fluoro-green touch brings real zing to a dining zone. The retro feel works beautifully with the Saarinen-inspired table and the elegant sideboard, but still manages to look quite modern. It’s also worth noting that the chairs are sled-based – an ideal option for timber or concrete flooring as they cause minimal scratching.
TELL US
Do you think retro features can work successfully in a contemporary dining room? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
MORE
10 Retro Living Room Ideas Reworked For Modern Living
10 Retro Kitchen Ideas Reworked For Modern Living
10 Retro Ideas Reworked for Modern Living: The Bathroom
The art of Piet Mondrian was undoubtedly an inspiration when this living space was designed. The artwork above the glass doors and the multi-coloured display of Verner Panton dining chairs complement each other beautifully.
These 1960s chairs, originally made of rigid polystyrene foam, were updated in the ’90s, utilising coloured polypropylene for extra comfort and longevity. When mixing strong colours in a dining room, draw inspiration from diverse elements, such as artwork, sculptures, vases and other objects.