Do you feel your dining room is dated, dark or dowdy? What may have been in style once, could well be out of date now, leaving many older NZ homes in dire need of a modern update. Lucky for you, you’ve come to the right place for modern dining room design inspiration. Featuring the best modern dining room tables and chairs, modern dining room décor ideas and modern dining room lighting ideas, you’ll find all the inspiration you need for a contemporary makeover. And if you’re lucky enough to own a newer home, then these ideas will ensure you start off on the right foot.
Modern Dining Tables & Chairs
Bruno Dining Table & Chairs
The Bruno table and chairs incorporate clean lines and bring together a sense of simple sophistication. With the warmth of the natural timber, this furniture set will help you achieve a modern, cosy dining room.
Metro Dining Table & Chairs
Available in pine or ash timber and complete with a silver metal trim, the Metro dining table and chairs will create an elegant, modern dining room. Pair a dark stain with light fabric on your dining room chairs for a contemporary contrast.
Ohope Dining Table, Chairs & Bench Seat
The Ohope dining table is one of the best modern dining room tables you’ll find, with its white American Ash timber, matching bench seat and contemporary padded seat chair design.
Neo Dining Table, Chairs & Bench Seat
For those wanting modern rustic dining room ideas, the Neo Dining Suite is just the thing for you. It’s wavy edges, crossed legs and knotty pine timber is the perfect combination of rustic and modern features.
Contemporary Colours for Dining Spaces
White Dining Room
You can’t get a much more modern dining room colour than white. A fresh coat of white paint never fails to refresh and revitalise any room, so it feels like brand new. This works especially well in this dining setting where it’s beautifully contrasted with the dark furniture legs of the Billie Chairs and Barclay Dining Table.
Navy Dining Room Wall
For an elegant modern dining room, dark, rich colours like navy will elevate your space. Painting just one wall a darker colour is a modern dining room wall idea that will prevent the room from feeling too heavy or dated. Leave the rest white and add some modern artwork to keep the space contemporary, like this Charlton setting.
Black and White Dining Room Colour Scheme
Try a monochrome combination for a cool modern dining room idea, like in this Marlborough setting. The addition of natural wood is the perfect thing to warm up the room and stop it from appearing to stark, while keeping up with the modern vibe.
Cashmere Painted Dining Room Wall Panelling
The panelling on these dining room walls is painted in Resene Cashmere- a dusty coral pink. The subtle hue adds just the right amount of colour without being too bright or sickly.
Lighting Ideas for Modern Dining Rooms
Octo Pendant
The Secto Octo pendants from Simon James, pictured with Gavardo dining furniture, are handmade with sustainable materials. Their fresh, natural look allows them to fit in with modern, coastal and Scandinavian styles.
Modern/Industrial Lighting
For modern, industrial dining room ideas, a light like this one in the Neo Dining setting will give you that industrial warehouse feel. The additional lighting like the floor lamp and wall light ensures the space will never feel dark and dingy.
iO Flute Pendants
These flute pendants from Maker Design Studio fit the modern theme with their sustainable and natural materials. Add a cluster of three, hanging at different heights, for a contemporary look, as shown in this Oaka Dining Setting.
Apothecary Round Glass Pendants
Instead of fancy chandeliers and traditional downlights, modernise your dining room with these simple but stylish globe lights from Mr Ralph Lighting. Pictured with the Waihi Dining Table and Chairs, they’re just what the room needs to complete the modern design.
Modern Dining Room Décor
Indoor Plants
Indoor plants are one of the hottest modern dining room decorating ideas of today. Fill your dining room with luscious greenery, like in this setting with the Barclay Table and Bruno Chairs, and you’ll be right up with the most contemporary dining room ideas.
Mixed styles
No one said contemporary design has to stick to one style. Mix old and new for an eclectic modern dining room like the steel lights, traditional rug and modern line art in this dining room setting, featuring the rustic Marlborough Dining Table and classic Tori Chairs.
Vases and Bowls
A contemporary dining room interior design is not complete without some curated dining table styling. Modern dining room table décor should look purposeful but not too cluttered. Display a neutral-coloured vase or bowl like in this Marsden setting and a simple table throw, and your dining room will look fit for a magazine!
Wall Panelling
Instead of wall art or a mirror, make the wall itself the feature with some modern board and batten panelling, as shown in this Metro setting. Whether you opt for a daring shade or stick with something more neutral, this modern dining room design idea is sure to transform even the plainest of dining spaces.
Feeling Inspired? Browse our vast ranges of dining furniture to suit every taste.
Needing more inspiration? Read our advice for Modern Bedroom Ideas and Decorating Tips
