Festive dining with a modern twist

Take a look these stand-out ideas for dressing up your dining table on Christmas Day, brought to you by Livingetc. Find more tips and ideas at housetohome.co.uk/christmas

Create a modern christmas table setting with well-chosen pieces of furniture, accessories and fanciful objects. Introduce an element of Christmas cheer with playful paraphernalia, and don't be afraid to get crafty and create your own Christmas ornaments, place cards and crackers for a personal touch.

Christmas is all about having fun and making memories, so opt for decorative ornaments, glamorous garlands, fun lighting and layers of lush fabrics and linens. When creating a modern Christmas table setting, consider glass, wood and metal materials as your starting point.

1/16 Modern Christmas table setting

dining room with table and chair and trolley

(Image credit: Future PLC/Paul Raeside)

If you're looking to make an impact, you can't beat a striking colour scheme. Gold, silver, copper and brass will create a classy, classic feel, while rich hues of purple, blue and black will establish a more modern aesthetic. Alternatively, you can head down the more traidtional route by choosing a palette of red and green. For minimal lover's, try a crisp palette of white, thus creating a typically Scandinavian scheme that reflects contemporary, minimal design aesthetic.

Festive fun dining room with star floor light

This modern dining room is decorated in a simple palette of black, white and gold for a festive look that's cohesive and super-elegant. A champagne tower is always a good way to get the party started. The giant star floor lamp is a novel take on fairy lights.

Dining table
Oka
Dining chairs
Poliform
Trolley
Ralph Lauren Home

2/16 Modern dining room with white festive accessories

dining room with oak table and candlestick

(Image credit: Future PLC/Mel Yates)

A classic oak farmhouse table works well in this modern dining room alongside modern white chairs. The table is dressed for Christmas with candlesticks and simple paper globe decorations.

Similar oak table
The Conran Shop
Candlesticks
Dwell

3/16 Luxe dining room with festive fruit display

dining room with chandelier and ash chair

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Bevan)

Hang a living chandelier overhead and ramp up the glam factor with evergreens and lights for a quirky modern dining room. Purple and blue tablecloths add a splash of colour, while a festive fruit display will tempt guests towards the table.

Living plant chandelier
Rebel Rebel
Dining table and steel and cord chair
Ligne Roset
Ash chair
Aram Store

4/16 Festive party table with ornamental Christmas trees

party table with ornamental christmas trees and coffee table

(Image credit: TBC)

The palest muted greys are given a seasonal lift with pastels, metallics and glassware. Often reserved for weddings, an assortment of heart-shaped table decorations really lend to the party atmosphere. Finish off the look with etched-silver Christmas trees, which work well as a centrepiece when grouped together. Mulled wine not included...

Coffee table
Warren Platner for Knoll at Chaplins
Trees
Next Home
Hearts
Wedding Mall

5/16 Modern dining room with black and gold Christmas decorations

dining room with fire place and christmas decoration

(Image credit: Future PLC/Paul Raeside)

This elegant dining room is decorated in a simple palette of black, white and gold for a festive look that's cohesive and super-elegant. Add a few playful elements - such as the hats shown here - to stir up the Christmas spirit. Transport your guests to a wintry wonderland by planting a forest of little pine trees on a snow-like table runner.

Table
Bowles & Bowles
Chairs
Aram Store

6/16 Black statement Christmas dining room

dining room with dining table and accesspories

(Image credit: TBC)

For a classy update on Christmas glitz, set one or two giant gold baubles against a sophisticated grey background. The black chunky pedestal table looks great with the soft and shimmering velvet pouffes. Silhouetted reindeer ornaments add the finishing touch.

Baubles
DZD
Dining table
Littlewoods
Accessories
Paperchase

7/16 Green traditional festive dining room

dining room with oak table and chandelier

(Image credit: Future PLC/Paul Massey)

The rich green walls and chandelier in this dining room give the space an inviting, club-like feel. Incorporate a selection of colourful accessories, in mismatched colours and styles to create an eclectic, fun look that is in tune with the Christmas spirit.

Oak table
Chamber Furniture
Similar paint
Farrow & Ball

8/16 Chalet-style coffee table display with reindeer antler candlesticks

Lighten up the mood with this glowing Christmas display. Reindeer-antler candlesticks and a sprinkling of fake snow create an instant ski-lodge vibe. Scatter a few sweets and chocolates in pretty wrappers among the snow for an extra festive treat.

Coffee table
Ligne Roset
Candle holders
Nordic Bliss
Fake snow
Snow Supermarket

coffee table with candlestick and fake snow

(Image credit: TBC)

9/16 Red and white Christmas dining room with dollies

red and white christmas with dining room and cake

(Image credit: Beth Evans)

Stitch doilies together into a delicate tablecloth, or use as frills on fairy lights for a dreamy, dinnertime garland. A mix of red-and-white accessories give this dining room a clean, Scandi-style feel.

Similar dollies
Waitrose

10/16 Fun festive dining room with pink table and chairs

dining area with pink table and chairs

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Wreford)

Shiny silver paper chains have been hung above hot-shot pieces of furniture for contemporary shimmer in this dining room. The pink dining table and chairs add a quirky edge, while the vintage-style cake stand makes for a pretty centrepiece.

Paper chains
Paperchase
Dining table and stools
Jennifer Newman

11/16 Round drinks table with decorated light fitting

round table with light and chandelier

(Image credit: Beth Evans)

Tie bauble biscuits with primary-coloured ribbon and hang from a light fitting for the ultimate nibble-friendly centrepiece. Who doesn't love an extra treat at Christmas?

Similar chandelier

The Bedroom Company

12/16 Dining chair with Christmas stars

dining chair with christmas stars and decoration

(Image credit: Beth Evans)

It's not just the dining table that need decorating. Transfrom pared-back chairs for your big festive feast by festooning them with a mix of glitzy decorations.

Similar decorations
Harrods

13/16 Panelled dining room dressed with modern fairy lights

dining room with modern fairy lights and wooden flooring

(Image credit: Future PLC/Sean Myers)

Who said fairy lights
were just for trees? Make like this rather elegant room this Christmas
and drape them effortlessly down the wall and across the floor. Put a
decorative mini-tree inside a dome cloche for a simple and chic
centrepiece.

Similar lights
Not on the High Street

14/16 Christmas dining room with ballet theme

dining room with rug and wooden flooring

(Image credit: Future PLC/James Merrell)

A modern and feminine take on traditional Christmas decorations, drape
your dining table in extravagant feather boas and chic pink and black
accessories. Pair bold, smoky colours with soft textures for a dramatic
look. And why not throw in a ballerina slipper chandelier for good
measure? It will definitely give your guests something to talk about on Christmas morning!

Similar rug
The White Company

15/16 Table with tray for Father Christmas

table with tray with tablecloth and carrot

(Image credit: Future PLC/Paul Raeside)

Head to the top of Santa's list by personalising his midnight
refreshment with a write-on-glass pen, or use it to give your guest a
smile with festive jokes on their glasses at dinner.

Write-on glass pen
Paperchase

16/16 Modern festive table bursting with colour

dining room with wallpaper and galsses

(Image credit: Future PLC/Mel Yates)

Eclectic jewel-coloured
glassware, statement red and gold wallpaper and an extravagant
centrepiece mean this dramatic dining room has Christmas Day written all
over it.

Similar glasses
The Other Duckling

Contributor

Tamara was Ideal Home's Digital Editor before joining the Woman & Home team in 2022. She has spent the last 15 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, both now at Future PLC. It’s with these award wining interiors teams that she's honed her skills and passion for shopping, styling and writing. Tamara is always ahead of the curve when it comes to interiors trends – and is great at seeking out designer dupes on the high street.