When choosing a wall color for your dining room, there are a few key factors to consider. The color should complement your existing decor, create the right ambience, and make the space feel welcoming. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best dining room wall colors and help you find the right hue for your home.
Consider the Purpose of the Space
Before selecting a dining room wall color, think about how you want to use the space. Is the dining room mainly for formal entertaining or casual family meals? Do you want an intimate, cozy atmosphere or something more lively and energetic?
For formal dining rooms that are used primarily for entertaining guests, cooler hues like grays, blues and greens work well. These colors recede, making the space feel calmer and more sophisticated. Warm earth tones like tans, browns and terra cottas also create an elegant dining room.
For casual, family-focused dining rooms, feel free to get more creative with brighter, bolder paint colors. Reds, oranges and yellows promote conversation and bring cheer to the space. Just be mindful not to choose colors that are overpowering.
Consider the Amount of Natural Light
The amount of natural light your dining room receives should factor into your paint color selection. North-facing rooms with limited sunlight can handle deeper, bolder hues. Meanwhile, south-facing rooms awash in natural light look best with lighter neutrals or pastels.
Dark paint colors have a cozy, cocooning effect that works well in dim dining rooms. Try rich shades like forest green, navy blue or burgundy on north-facing walls. For sun-filled southern exposures, go for airy colors like soft gray, buttery yellow or robin’s egg blue.
Complement Architectural Details
Play up beautiful architectural features in your dining room by selecting a wall color that complements them. For rooms with crown molding, paneling or other ornate trim, lighter neutrals showcase the details beautifully. Soft ivory, warm almond and light tan are safe bets.
In dining rooms with high ceilings, deeper shades draw the eye upwards and make the space feel grounded. Navy blue, chocolate brown and sage green work nicely here. For rooms with beautiful wood floors, pick a color in the same undertone to tie the elements together.
Consider the Furniture and Decor
The existing furniture, flooring and decor elements in your dining room should factor into your wall color decision. You’ll usually want to choose a color in the same tone or “color family” as key furnishings.
For example, if your dining set has warm wood tones, go for walls in earthy hues like cream, taupe, khaki or soft peach. With black dining chairs or a sleek modern table, grayish taupes and lightweight woods create balance. Don’t be afraid to repeat colors in dining room decor.
The Best Dining Room Wall Colors
Here are some of the most popular, tried-and-true dining room wall colors to consider:
- Soft gray – A light warm gray is a versatile neutral that works with any style. Pair with white trim for a clean, airy look.
- Navy blue – From nautical to modern, navy dining rooms feel crisp and stately. White wainscoting balances out deep shades.
- Sage green – Earthy and calming, sage greens complement many wood tones and feel naturalistic.
- Robin’s egg blue – This cheerful pastel blue conjures up delightful cottage vibes. Use white dishes and linens to play up the color.
- Rich cream – Warmer than white, cream dining rooms feel elegant yet welcoming. Layer on patterns and textures.
Tips for Choosing Dining Room Colors
Here are a few more tips to ensure you choose the perfect dining room wall color:
- Get color samples and paint swatches. Colors look different on the wall than in the can.
- Test out colors on a large poster board. See how they look in both natural and artificial light.
- Pick a matte or eggshell finish to minimize wall flaws in natural light.
- Only paint one accent wall if your dining room is small. Too much color can overwhelm.
- Accessorize with colorful art, floral arrangements and patterned linens after painting.
- Repaint adjacent rooms if needed so everything flows together.
Most Popular Dining Room Color Combinations
Thoughtful color pairings result in cohesive, attractive dining rooms. Here are some of the most popular dining room color schemes:
| Color 1 | Color 2 |
|---|---|
| Navy blue | Crisp white |
| Robin’s egg blue | Buttery yellow |
| Sage green | Warm cream |
| Rich brown | Off-white |
| Gray | Crisp white |
Conclusion
Choosing a dining room wall color requires balancing personal taste, lighting, architectural details, furniture, and overall decor. Popular dining room color schemes include navy and white, robin’s egg blue and yellow, sage green and cream, brown and off-white, and gray and white.
The best approach is to get color samples to test out. Avoid overpowering small spaces with too much color. And don’t forget to accessorize after painting to tie everything together beautifully.
With a thoughtful, coordinated dining room wall color, you can create a space that’s inviting yet elegant for many memorable meals to come.
