Modern Dinning Room Ideas

• Modern dining room decor combines a clean, functional feel with a relaxed tone. Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images

  A pleasing decor sets the mood for dining experiences filled with sensory pleasure and good conversation. Creating the right mood for your family and guests is a matter of choosing the right decor for your personality and style. Modern decor combines comfort and function to make entertaining easier for both guests and hosts. Smooth surfaces and uncluttered space induces a calm and relaxed feel that makes any dinner an enjoyable experience.

Color

• Modern decor demands simplicity and elegance, which is often achieved with a background of neutral colors in white, black, beige or tan highlighted with touches of bright, bold color to add interest. Two complementary colors can be used together to help punch up the neutral base color, according to Interior Design Reference.

Furniture

• Modern decor for your dining room demands high-quality furniture that is functional and that can withstand repeated use. Dining room furniture is often used as a children's work or study area, so durability and comfort are also important considerations. Solid wood, metal or mixtures of materials make for interesting dining room designs. Avoid heavily carved tables and chairs with an excess of fabric.

Focal Point

• Your dining area should have a single focal point to give your guests a point of interest on which to focus their attention, which may be a large work of art on one wall and interesting collections of artifacts or craft work or a magnificent view of outdoor plantings. For modern decor keep the display simple and uncluttered, using color or texture to connect or contrast with the rest of the room.

Lighting

• Modern dining rooms make full use of natural light with simple shades or draperies in sheer fabrics. Heavy window coverings generally have no place in modern decor, but inventive use of materials can be a conversation starter and add to the upbeat effect. Overhead lighting should provide good light without glare. Avoid fussy chandeliers. Lighting should be sleek and unobtrusive. Pendant lights work well in modern decors and come in a myriad of designs that avoid heaviness over the table.

Flooring

• Modern decor in your dining room demands a clean, easy maintenance feel. According to Design Style Guide, you can use area rugs to add to the feeling of warmth and comfort in a modern dining room. Choose a plush shag or a rug with an artistic pattern. A pattern with less symmetry gives the room a more playful feeling.

Privacy

• Dining rooms in today's homes are often joined to the living room or other areas. To provide diners some separation from other traffic areas, simple Asian screens or other dividers can be used to give more privacy and a feeling of intimacy during dining conversations.