Neutral colors, geometric shapes and clean lines contribute to a contemporary dining room.
Contemporary decor is popular due to the simplicity and clean feel it tends to invoke. Creating a contemporary dining room doesn't involve much, and can be much less expensive than other styles. Because contemporary means brand new and on the cutting-edge, don't sink too much of your decorating budget into larger pieces as you may want to update them again within a couple of years.
Colors
Neutral colors set the stage for contemporary decor. This might include bright white, taupe or charcoal gray walls to serve as a neutral backdrop. Light or dark furniture works if you stick to neutral or earth tones. Glass and steel, chocolate brown, cream, white and black are all some common options. Infuse a bright color in small amounts in the room, such as on one wall or through accessories to add personality to the room.
Furniture
Remove everything from the dining room to start fresh. Include only pieces you need, as clutter or over-stuffing a room with furniture is the opposite of contemporary decor. Your dining table should have simple lines or a smooth geometric shape, such as a square, rectangle or round table. Dark wood tables or glass tables with an interesting design or pedestal fit in with a contemporary style. Hang a couple of floating shelves to use as a buffet or for storage rather than including a traditional china cabinet.
Accessories
Accessories should serve to enhance your decor and pull all of the separate elements together. Each piece should have an impact on the overall design of the room, without overpowering it. Avoid tablecloths as they hide the lines of the table. The furniture should serve as a major part of the decor. If you want linens on the table, use a runner or place mats.
Natural elements, such as a bamboo floor or sisal rug, complement a contemporary dining room as well. Consider a bright infusion of color through houseplants, trees, a large floor vase with curly willow branches or a piece of art on the wall. For example, hang a contemporary piece of art with black, white and red and tie it into the rest of the room. A glass dining table with black chairs, white place mats, black chargers, white dishes, black linen napkins and a red napkin ring will bring in each hue from the artwork without competing with it.
Tags: dining room, contemporary dining, contemporary dining room, dining table, Neutral colors