The right dining room should have good food, better company — and, if you ask me, a touch of African charm. There is no one way to do it, but personally, I live for the contemporary way. I love mixing old crafts with clean lines, striking colors, and textures that feel like home. So if you’re hunting for ideas, pull up a chair — here’s how I’d style a contemporary African dining room three ways.
Jump to:
Earthy Contemporary African Dining Room: Simply Iconic
Ask ten people what African interiors mean to them — half will say earthy. They’re not wrong. From clay walls in Sahel villages to the rich wooden beams of a Swazi hut, earth tones are everywhere — past and present. Let’s bring that mood home and make it modern.
You May Also Like: The Ultimate Modern African Home design
Go All In with Color Drenching
One wall? Too safe. Want that true earthy wow? Drench the whole room. Walls, ceiling, trim — same shade. Terracotta, ochre, deep cocoa — pick your favorite and commit. It’s gutsy but so worth it. When friends walk in, they’ll feel it. If you want to push it further, paint your sideboard to match or reupholster your chairs in a tone that melts right in.
Play with Wood and Woven Things
Earthy African dining rooms thrive on texture. Give me sturdy woods — mahogany if you like drama, teak if you prefer soft warmth. Woven chairs, rattan pendants, maybe a chunky sisal rug under the table — it all whispers ‘nature’, without feeling dusty. But here’s the twist: throw in something sharp. A sleek metal pendant or modern vases in a bold shape. Just enough to say, yes, this is now.
Style a Beautiful Decor Corner
This style loves little shrines of beautiful things. I can’t resist styling up a mid-century sideboard with an old wooden bowl, a stack of well-thumbed cookbooks, and maybe a woven basket from Ghana on the wall. It’s my way of sneaking bits of African craft into the everyday — small nods to centuries of skill, but looking fresh.
Bold Contemporary African Dining Room: Color, Play, No Apologies
Earthy is nice. But bold? Bold is unforgettable. And since I’m West African, it’s my favorite. If you’ve got a playful streak, the dining room is your playground. After all, you don’t nap here — you laugh, eat, argue, celebrate. It’s built for noise.
Know When to Hold Back — And When Not To
In a bold contemporary African dining room, color is king — but don’t drown the kingdom. Pick your battleground: chairs, rug, wall, art, lights. You can hit all five if you’re feeling brave (I usually am). Or stick to three and let the rest chill out. Maybe it’s a bright painted wall, chairs in jewel tones, and a woven Moroccan rug. Balance is key: scatter color so your eye moves around the room.
Get Creative With Your Wall Art
Blank walls? Not here. Mix it up. Hang paintings that nod to great African artists. Throw in woven plates from Zambia or striking prints that feel personal. When I see a wall that makes me stare mid-bite, I know the room is doing its job.
That One Piece Everyone Talks About
A bold dining room needs a statement piece. Maybe it’s a jaw-dropping chandelier that looks like modern sculpture. Or it’s an oversized painting that sparks conversation. Could also be a hand-carved chair that makes you wonder who crafted it decades ago. One or two statement pieces — that’s all you need. The rest just backs it up.
Minimalist Contemporary African Dining Room: Zen and Timeless
I get it — maybe you’re more about calm. Not everyone wants bright colors at breakfast. A minimalist contemporary African dining room keeps it simple but never bland.
Keep It Light and Airy
Walls and floors set the tone. Go for pale neutrals — soft white, sandy beige, maybe a clay wash that’s barely there. In plenty of African homes, you’ll find tiled floors that stay cool underfoot — practical and pretty. Light wood works too, adding warmth without shouting for attention.
Gentle Woods and Honest Textures
This look calls for woods that breathe. Teak, chestnut — they feel calm, not flashy. A handmade sisal rug under the table adds a not to East African craft. You don’t need a lot — just a few honest pieces that feel good to touch.
Black and White Art to Anchor It
Minimal doesn’t mean empty. I love black and white art in spaces like this — framed mud cloth, moody portraits, abstract line drawings. They keep the eye interested without cluttering the calm. Plus, they remind guests there’s history in these walls, even if you like things serene.
One Last Bite of Contemporary African Dining Room Design
A contemporary African dining room can be warm, wild, or whisper-quiet — but it should always feel like yours. That’s the whole point.
