View to double-height dining room

The Rosella display home

Alatalo Bros

A generous dining area joining onto kitchen and family room

Custom design and build

Horizon Homes

First impression count as you enter this custom-built Horizon Homes property at Kellyville. The home opens into a stylish entryway, with soaring double height ceilings. It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. And that’s literally true with this home. With the kitchen in the centre of the ground floor, this home provides ample formal and informal living spaces on the ground floor. At the rear of the house, a rumpus room, living room and dining room overlooking a large alfresco kitchen and dining area make this house the perfect entertainer. It’s functional, too, with a butler’s pantry, and laundry (with outdoor access) leading off the kitchen. There’s also a mudroom – with bespoke joinery – next to the garage. Upstairs is a mezzanine office area and four bedrooms, including a luxurious main suite with dressing room, ensuite and private balcony. Outdoor areas were important to the owners of this knockdown rebuild. While the house is large at almost 454m2, it fills only half the block. That means there’s a generous backyard. A central courtyard provides further outdoor space. Of course, this courtyard – as well as being a gorgeous focal point – has the added advantage of bringing light into the centre of the house.

Yarrawarrah Private Residence

Michelle Viret Design

SNVT - ATTICO MILANO

Tommaso Giunchi Architetti

Sala da pranzo: sulla destra ribassamento soffitto per zona ingresso e scala che porta al piano superiore: pareti verdi e marmo verde alpi a pavimento. Frontalmente la zona pranzo con armadio in legno noce canaletto cannettato. Pavimento in parquet rovere naturale posato a spina ungherese. Mobile a destra sempre in noce con rivestimento in marmo marquinia e camino. A sinistra porte scorrevoli per accedere a diverse camere oltre che da corridoio

Ridge Oak Residence

McKinney York Architects

This property came with a house which proved ill-matched to our clients’ needs but which nestled neatly amid beautiful live oaks. In choosing to commission a new home, they asked that it also tuck under the limbs of the oaks and maintain a subdued presence to the street. Extraordinary efforts such as cantilevered floors and even bridging over critical root zones allow the design to be truly fitted to the site and to co-exist with the trees, the grandest of which is the focal point of the entry courtyard. Of equal importance to the trees and view was to provide, conversely, for walls to display 35 paintings and numerous books. From form to smallest detail, the house is quiet and subtle.

The Listed House

Simpson & Voyle

This elegant dining space seamlessly blends classic and modern design elements, creating a sophisticated and inviting ambiance. The room features a large bay window that allows ample natural light to illuminate the space, enhancing the soft, neutral color palette. A plush, tufted bench in a rich teal velvet lines one side of the dining area, offering comfortable seating along with a touch of color. The bespoke bench is flanked by marble columns that match the marble archway, adding a luxurious feel to the room. A mid-century modern wooden dining table with a smooth finish and organic curves is surrounded by contemporary chairs upholstered in light gray fabric, with slender brass legs that echo the bench's elegance. Above, a statement pendant light with a cloud-like design and brass accents provides a modern focal point, while the classic white ceiling rose and intricate crown molding pay homage to the building's historical character. The herringbone patterned wooden floor adds warmth and texture, complementing the classic white wainscoting and wall panels. A vase with a lush arrangement of flowers serves as a centerpiece, injecting life and color into the setting. This space, ideal for both family meals and formal gatherings, reflects a thoughtful curation of design elements that respect the building's heritage while embracing contemporary style.

The Bedford House

Lori Dennis Interior Design

Modern Dining Room in an open floor plan, sits between the Living Room, Kitchen and Backyard Patio. The modern electric fireplace wall is finished in distressed grey plaster. Modern Dining Room Furniture in Black and white is paired with a sculptural glass chandelier. Floor to ceiling windows and modern sliding glass doors expand the living space to the outdoors.

Lake Living Dining and Great Room

Joseph Philip Craig Custom Homes

Custom lake living at its finest, this Michigan property celebrates family living with contemporary spaces that embrace entertaining, sophistication, and fine living. The property embraces its location, nestled amongst the woods, and looks out towards an expansive lake.

Great room

SF Modern

This portion of the great room showcases the grand piano at the front of the house, flanked by the living room, dining room and study off to one side.

Number 16- Living Area

Jess Hunter Interior Design

Number 16 Project. Linking Heritage Georgian architecture to modern. Inside it's all about robust interior finishes softened with layers of texture and materials. This is the open plan living, kitchen and dining area. FLowing to the outdoor alfresco.

Shepherdstown, Contemporary, Modern Farmhouse in the forest

Fine Line Home Design LLC

Boulderback Project

Danielle Rios Design Studio

Long Beach Midcentury Modern

Soko Design

Resort Contemporary

Alm Architects

Trickle Creek Watermark Showhome Featuring Cosmopolitan Naked

Divine Flooring

Trickle Creek Homes

Fireplaces using Buechel Stone

Buechel Stone Corp

This beautiful fireplace and interior walls feature Buechel Stone's Fond du Lac Tailored Blend in coursed heights. Fond du Lac Cut Stone is used over the doorways and for the bush hammered header of the fireplace. Click on the tags to see more at www.buechelstone.com/shoppingcart/products/Fond-du-Lac-Ta... & www.buechelstone.com/shoppingcart/products/Fond-du-Lac-Cu...

Wohnhaus, Riemerling

Löffler Weber | Architekten

Fotos: Alexander Ehlich, München

Contemporary Dining Room Design Ideas

A contemporary dining room can be used for casual dining, integrated into an open plan and connected to the living and kitchen areas; or as a formal space reserved solely for entertaining. While it may not be used frequently, it is a great focal point in the home, and requires little furnishings. Here's what you need to consider before you start planning a new dining room...

How will you use your dining room?

First, consider how frequently you will use the space. If you plan on using your contemporary dining room on a daily basis, a casual dining set-up with sturdy, long-lasting furniture is best. As for where you position it – well, any unused space in the home can be converted into a casual dining space, whether it be at the end of a kitchen island, or at the bottom of the stairs. A formal dining room, on the other hand, is more suited to a dedicated space, which is more common in heritage homes where space originally wasn’t at a premium. Perhaps you want your dining room to multi-task and accommodate everyday meals, homework sessions and grown-up dinner parties… If that’s the case, furniture is key. Look for versatile dining tables in either Australian or New Zealand hardwood or weathered timber for a more rustic look. These won’t show up sticky fingerprints as much and can be dressed up for guests.

What size and shape should your dining table be?

Your contemporary dining table should be able to seat all family members with some room for additional guests – each person should have at least 60 centimetres of space at the table. The right size, however, also depends on how much room you have. A general rule of thumb is to leave no less than 1 metre from the dining table to the wall or any additional furniture, so people have enough room to comfortably move around the space. Rectangular dining tables are versatile and can work in a variety of settings, while oval dining tables are more traditional and can turn any meal into an occasion. If you have a tight space to work in, a round dining table is best, and also a great option if you want to encourage conversation. A square dining table can be a dramatic addition to a dining room, but only if you have the space. It allows everyone at the table to see each other, but the bigger the table, the harder it will be able to hold a conversation with someone at the other end.

What type of dining chairs should you choose?

Once you’ve decided on a dining table, look for contemporary dining chairs that share a common design element. If your dining table legs are curved, for example, try to match them with dining chairs that have a similar curve, either in the legs or back. Next, consider the dimensions of the chair. The height of your dining chairs should allow at least 30 centimetres between the top of the seat and the top of the table. And to keep your tush happy, avoid dining chairs narrower than 45 centimetres.

How can you decorate your dining room?

Dining rooms are relatively minimal spaces, but that makes them a great place to splash a little colour through artwork, especially if yours is a formal dining room. If your dining room is lacking warmth, consider painting the walls a deep shade of red or blue, or go contemporary with black or grey. A cosy rug will make the space feel more intimate, while a sideboard or cabinet of curiosities will further personalise the space. Often overlooked, dining room lighting can also drastically alter the mood of a room, creating drama, spurring romance or encouraging conversation. Opt for soft lighting in the dining area with dimmer switches, and choose oversized pendants in large, open spaces or to make the dining area more of a focal point. Finally, add some table settings, such as a lace tablecloth for a whimsy feel, or a more basic table runner for a chic look. If you need some help designing your dining room, consider checking the Houzz directory of interior designers, home stylists, cabinet makers and more!