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Feature wall dining room ideas


12 Dining Room Accent Wall Ideas

By

Sarah Lyon

Sarah Lyon

Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and home decor enthusiast, who enjoys sharing good finds on home items. Since 2018, she has contributed to a variety of lifestyle publications, including Apartment Therapy and Architectural Digest.

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Published on 06/16/22

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Dining room accent walls are all the rage and can really elevate any type of space. If you're curious about incorporating an accent wall in your own space but don't know where to begin, you'll want to read on for guidance from interior designers and check out the 12 inspiring images below. Get ready to totally transform your dining space and wow all of your guests!

15 dazzling diner decor tips |

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(Image credit: Future)

Dining room wall ideas have a licence to entertain – from the wallpaper to the artwork, there is absolutely no need to hold back in your pursuit of the dream diner. 

As the envelope for all your dining room ideas, wall decor is integral to creating the atmosphere you desire, whether that’s a relaxed space to share breakfast, or a luxurious banqueting room fit for an evening feast. 

‘Dining rooms should be the jewelry in the house,’ says Cindy Rinfret, interior designer and founder of Rinfret Ltd . ‘It’s the special place where people gather, and they want to be romanced. It's important not to overlook it as a special ‘event’ in your home. We always go with bolder colors and special finishes for dining rooms.’ 

Dining room wall ideas

From captivating wall murals to mirrors that will leave a twinkle in your guests’ eyes, we’ve found some stunning inspiration for your entertaining space, and asked the experts to share their top dining room wall ideas. 

1. Indulge in darker colors

(Image credit: Simon Bevan)

‘Before selecting the paint for your space, consider how the colour will influence your mood, it’s so important to love the colours that surround you,’ says Helen Shaw, Director of Marketing Europe for Benjamin Moore . If you’re planning paint for your small dining room ideas, consider darker tones for drama. 

‘Cozy snugs, intimate dining rooms and pint-sized rooms can lend themselves to a strong colour palette, especially when they don’t benefit from a huge amount of natural light,’ says Shaw. ‘Dousing the rooms from floor to ceiling in rich colours can look particularly striking and a real benefit of a north facing room is that you can play with light sources to create a certain mood and ambience. ’ In this room, a rich brown is paired with dark furniture for a cozy sensation. 

2. Be bold with wallpaper

(Image credit: Adam Macchia)

If you’re looking to add visual detail into the room, don’t leave it all down to your dining table decor ideas. Take the floral patterns and colored accents to the walls too. 

‘Wallpaper works very well in dining spaces, whether you opt for something plain with lots of texture like grasscloth, or a detailed trailing design if you have good ceiling height,’ says interior designer Birdie Fortescue . ‘De Gournay’s hand painted Chinoisserie papers are the ultimate wall coverings.’

In this example, furniture expert Christine Retlev chose the Bruyere wallpaper by Fromental for her Manhattan apartment’s dining room, creating a dramatic blue accent wall with natural patterns. ‘Tailored to each individual interior, our designs enhance the beauty of a dining room’s architecture and deliver a sense of excitement and wonder,’ says Lizzie Deshayes, Co-Founder of Fromental.  

3. Make the room sparkle with a mirror

(Image credit: Sims Hilditch)

If you’re thinking about lighting a dining room, consider also how you can make your lighting go further. 

‘Mirrors are a great way to reflect candle/low light,’ says Rinfret. ‘It adds sparkle to the room and reflects flattering light on your guests.’ 

‘For a smaller dining room, why not consider installing a round mirror on the wall?,’ says Emma Sims-Hilditch , who designed this example. ‘This helps to give the illusion of space, reflecting the light around the room and creating a nice contrast to the sharper lines in the room. Large mirrors covering the walls work well for larger dining spaces, creating an elegant and slightly unusual aesthetic.’ 

4. Fill a formal dining room with classic paneling

(Image credit: Cameron Design House)

For formal dining rooms with a classic, traditional feel, pick paneling ideas for walls. ‘I adore paneling and unlike some later additions to buildings I think it works very well even when brand new,’ says Fortescue. ‘Paneling all the way up to the ceiling gives the illusion of height whilst panels under chair rails are ideal for added interest.’ 

In this room, subtle white painted paneling has been teamed with contemporary style lighting, furniture and artwork, to strike a balance between the old and the new. 

‘Georgian paneling painted in a timeless shade like Farrow & Ball’s Hardwick White looks great in a formal dining space,’ adds Sims-Hilditch, who did exactly this in the previous example, a design decision chosen to stay ‘in keeping with the home’s rich history.’ 

5. Add glimmer with gloss walls 

(Image credit: Evens Architects/Windsor Smith/Karyn Millet)

It’s not just your dining room color ideas you need to think about when choosing paint – the festive nature of the room means you can experiment with alternative finishes too. 

‘The dining room is a great space to use a decorative paint finish on the walls as it doesn't get as much traffic as other rooms,’ says Mary Graham, Co-Founder of Salvesen Graham . ‘We love to use a high gloss or lacquer finish which creates the most amazing atmosphere in the evening with the reflection of candlelight. If possible, we use it on the ceiling as well as the walls for the ultimate effect.’ 

A gloss finish has been chosen for the brilliant blue walls in this dining room by designer Windsor Smith , and the painting of the ceilings give the impression of a glimmering underwater world. 

6. Use curtains to keep it cozy

(Image credit: Future / Jan Baldwin / Katrin Cargill)

Taking up a large proportion of the space from top to bottom as well as side to side, curtains are always one of the most important wall decor elements to consider. 

‘If there are lots of windows, we focus on the window treatments,’ says Rinfret. Among the dining room wall decor ideas in this room, the curtains allow the room’s bountiful natural light sources to provide during the day, but allow for a cozy, intimate room at night. 

7. Use light colors to take you from day to night

(Image credit: Marlaina Teich Designs/Patrick Cline)

Another way to create a dining room that works for all hours of the day is to keep the decor light and bright – even popular grey dining room ideas can verge on off-white.  

‘People always have a tendency to use rich dark colors in a dining room, which can look great, but if you want the room to be a bit more flexible then going for something slightly lighter can mean the room is suitable for breakfast and lunch as well as dinner, or could double up as an increasingly needed home office,’ says Graham. 

In this design by Marlaina Teich , white woodwork is the star of the show from the beamed ceilings to the lower wall panels, and even in the farmhouse dining chairs. Depth is given to the room by the dove grey pattern on the wallpaper and the natural tones of the wooden dining table. 

8. Engage your guests with artwork

(Image credit: Future / Alexander James)

‘Artwork is important in a dining room as people are sitting for lengths of time,’ says Rinfret.  ‘It’s a great way to enjoy a special and favorite piece. We build rooms around art, pulling motifs or colors from the work.’ 

In this home, the owners were keen that their new dining room would showcase part of their expansive art collection. While the abstract style of the pieces works perfectly here with modern dining room ideas, historic artworks are a great addition to traditional and contemporary spaces.  

‘We often encourage our clients to retain existing artwork when redesigning their homes, which works well with their chosen aesthetic,’ says Sims-Hilditch. ‘This might include old family portraits, or antique pieces which have been in their family for years. These are a wonderful addition to a dining room wall, adding character and gravitas to the space.’ 

9. Transport guests with a scenic wallcovering 

(Image credit: Emily J Followill/Beth Webb Interiors)

A wallpaper may inject the visual interest you’re looking for, but for sheer escapism, consider wall mural ideas too. ‘A scenic wallcovering, such as Gracie or de Gournay, is a perfect statement as it transports you and your guests. We like to put them in unexpected spaces,’ says Rinfret. 

Wall murals have a place in dining rooms for all the same reasons that artwork does. In this room by interior designer Beth Webb , a custom mural by Bob Christian of Savannah depicts the rolling South Carolina countryside that surrounds the property, and is reminiscent of 18th century pastoral painting.  

10. Storage can double up as decor

(Image credit: Jamie Ivey/Ansel Olson)

‘Cabinetry and storage is always important in a dining room as you need places to keep and display dinnerware,’ says Rinfret. Usually found tucked up against a wall, sideboard decor ideas need to be considered alongside your dining room wall ideas to create balance. 

While an individual sideboard can be a statement piece of wall decor in its own right, consider going all out and creating a wall of storage that doubles as decor, like in this dining room by Jamie Ivey . The dark blue built-in unit mixes cabinets and open shelving to allow for discrete storage of day to day pieces, and display of favourite items and family photos. 

11. Bring the outside in

(Image credit: Little Greene)

If you want your dining room to bridge the gap between indoors and out, using florals or botanicals to decorate your walls is a fabulous idea. If your dining room is north-facing, you will find it helpful to add an accent shade with warm undertones. This could be a deep pink or red as in the room above by Little Greene . Or, it could be a warm blue – turquoise – or green, such as an apple shade.

12. Hang a tapestry

(Image credit: VSP Interiors )

Once used to insulate and decorate in historic houses, tapestries make great dining room wall ideas in modern homes.

'A large tapestry can create a brilliant focal point behind a dining area, while also breaking up the monotony of a wide-reaching blank wall,' says Henriette von Stockhausen of  VSP Interiors , who created this dining room above. 'Tapestries also help with noise reduction.'

13. Create drama with a bold wallpaper panel 

Styling: Alyce Taylor

(Image credit: Future / Chris Everard / Alyce Taylor)

Looking for dining room wall ideas that can tie in with the rest of your scheme? Here, a striking wallpaper panel with botanical repeat transports us to a formal garden terrace.  

'Chairs beautifully upholstered with smart skirts in classic stripes and an amazing high-gloss lacquer table create an elegant dining space,' says H&G's decorating editor Emma Thomas. 'The rug design underfoot almost feels like a chic tiled terrace and birds hover above as part of the delicate pendant light.'

14. Introduce color blocking to a dining room wall

Styling: Claudia Bryant

(Image credit: Assignment / Polly Wreford / Claudia Bryant)

A calming blue wall as backdrop allows vibrant, colorful furniture, lighting and graphic artwork to pop. Who wouldn't feel a little sunnier having breakfast at this joyful yellow table? 

Bench cushions are an ideal way to introduce pattern which softens the look and adds a touch of playfulness with a mix and match approach to different colors and designs. An oversize pendant shade in a deep green frames the space and a large indoor plant introduces an organic touch as well as tying in with the tone of the shade and green painted chairs.  

15. Choose contemporary Chinoiserie for a calm scheme

Styling: Claudia Bryant

(Image credit: Polly Wreford / Claudia Bryant)

This dining room wall idea is a gentle interpretation of the design classic characterized by exuberant decoration. With plenty of white space around the design, this Edo Springs Chinoserie pattern from Studio by Fromental feels particularly modern, especially in these charming teal and coral tones. 

Dark charcoal paintwork and dark wooden, metal and leather furniture add heft to the scheme, a pleasing contrast to the gentle decorative lines of the wallcovering. A pale rug underfoot keeps the room feeling light and airy, as do the slim lines and sleek proportions of the dining chairs and table legs. 

What do you do with a blank wall in a dining room? 

Usually one of the larger rooms of the house and largely populated by low-level furniture, filling the long wall of a dining room can be a daunting task. The first thing you can consider is making the wall itself visually interesting – choosing an asymmetrical wallpaper or a mural is an excellent way to transform it into an accent wall.  

Alternatively, fill the wall with art – choosing not one piece, but several, and teaming it with light fittings and mirrors. 

‘Art is so often an afterthought in dining rooms and in my opinion there’s no excuse for filling every wall with gloomy family portraits!’ says Fortescue. ‘Series’ of works can be very effective, or pieces selected within a theme. Combine with a well chosen statement mirror or even mirrored panels for lots of interest and personality.’ 

How do I decorate my dining room? 

Dining rooms are a space ready and waiting to display the most bacchanalian corners of your personality. This means that your deepest, darkest, wackiest interior design dreams can be explored here more comfortably than in any other room of the house.

‘Dining rooms often suit dramatic colour and decorative schemes,’ says Fortescue. ‘I always use dark colours in darker rooms and light colours in well lit ones.’

‘Small and large dining rooms can both be equally sexy in a dark color,’ adds Rinfret. ‘Lacquer is always a great choice.’ 

If you want your dining room to work for both day and night, you’ll need to think carefully about how to balance a color scheme that works for both. 

‘Pale shades have light, airy qualities which feel uplifting, neutrals are earthy and help you to feel grounded, whereas deep hues can evoke drama, creativity and confidence,’ says Shaw. ‘So, consider how you will use the room: maybe for a dining room you can enjoy a saturated hue to create a dramatic finish, or create a contrast in an open plan space with dark and light hues of one color. This will allow the room to feel bright in the daylight, but also have cosy and warm attributes when ambiently lit of an evening.’ 

Ailis started out at British GQ, where a month of work experience turned into 18 months of working on all sorts of projects, writing about everything from motorsport to interiors, and helping to put together the GQ Food & Drink Awards. She then spent three years at the London Evening Standard, covering restaurants and bars. After a period of freelancing, writing about food, drink and homes for publications including Conde Nast Traveller, Luxury London and Departures, she started at Homes & Gardens as a Digital Writer, allowing her to fully indulge her love of good interior design. She is now a fully fledged food PR but still writes for Homes & Gardens as a contributing editor.

Wall decoration in the dining room - 135 best photo ideas for apartments and houses

Moscow, House on the Emerald.

SunWaveStudio

Fresh design idea for a medium sized contemporary kitchen-dining room with blue walls, gray flooring and wallpaper on the walls - a great photo of the interior modern style with white walls, light parquet flooring, beige flooring and paneling on part of the wall

Tudor country house

ItalProject

Dining area in the living room on the attic floor of the guest country house. The total area of ​​the living room is 62 m2.
Pictured: a large classic style kitchen-dining room with beige walls, porcelain stoneware floors, brown floors, vaulted ceilings, wooden ceiling and wooden walls -medium sized contemporary style dining room with gray walls, medium hardwood floors, brown flooring and wallpaper

Dining room

Photographer Mikhail Pomortsev / Pro.Foto

The designer characterizes the style of this apartment as romantic eclecticism: “Different times (old and new furniture), Soviet past and present, Ural flavor and European classics are combined here. I wanted to make this project with a Ural accent.” On the bookcase there is a sculpture-clock “The Mistress of the Copper Mountain and Danila the Master”, Kasli casting.

Apartment 150 m², on Plyushchikha

Tatiana Karyakina

project completed with Ariana Ahmad
In the photo: a large dining room in a classic style with beige walls, medium parquet floors, beige flooring and paneling on part of the wall c

Kitchen-living room with greenery

Valeria Veselova design: modern style small living-dining room with beige walls, porcelain stoneware flooring, stucco fireplace front, beige flooring, horizontal fireplace and wooden walls - great interior photo

House for a large family

Designer Yuliya Sakhno

Inspiration for home comfort: a neoclassical (modern classic) kitchen-dining room with gray walls, brown floors, panels on part of the wall and a multi-level ceiling without a fireplace

3 sisters

Olga Komarova

Inspiration for home comfort: neoclassical (modern classic) dining room with white walls, medium parquet floors, brown flooring and paneling on part of the wall

Moscow Country House

Tatiana Pirogkova

A fresh design idea for a mid-sized living-dining room in a modern style with silver walls, dark parquet floors, brown floors and wallpaper on the walls - a great photo of the interior

Dining table. Console.

Furniture studio Archive

Stylish design: classic style dining room with pink walls, dark parquet floors, brown flooring and paneling on part of the wall - the latest trend

Mont Blanc

ReDi

Stylish design: neoclassical (modern classic) kitchen-dining room with gray walls, medium-toned parquet floors, brown floors and wallpaper on the walls - the latest trend

Mendelsohn residential complex

Design Studio 9000 and architecture 20:18

Fresh design idea: medium-sized contemporary dining room with red walls, brown floors and brick walls - great interior photo

Country house in Maslovo

BW buro

On the photo: a medium-sized separate dining room in a modern style with gray walls, porcelain stoneware floors, gray floors, beams on the ceiling and any wall decoration

Styling of the apartment in Rasskazovo residential complex

Rozhkova Polina

Stylish design: Scandinavian-style dining room with white walls, medium parquet floors, brown floors and brick walls - the latest trend

Elegant apartment with art deco elements

Natalia Preobrazhenskaya | Bureau "Uyutnaya Kvartira"

Bright dining room in the common space of the kitchen-living room, decorated in whitish shades of gray, milky, pinkish with a slight blueness. Upholstered chairs with eye-catching accessories - ring handles for extension, which resemble sea rings on the pier. The general spirit of the dining room refers to Art Deco and modern classics. | A bright dining place in the common space of living room, decorated in whitish shades of gray, milky, pinkish color with a slight blue. The upholstered chairs is supplemented with eye-catching rings handles, which resemble the sea rings on the pier. The overall spirit of the dining room refers to Art Deco and modern classics. nine0007

Dining room

Diamir Interiors

Art deco house on three levels, designed for a family of spouses aged 50, 3 children. Completion of the object with building materials, furniture, plumbing and chandeliers from Spain and Russia.

Dining room wall decor - useful photo ideas

Chic combination of shades, Fortive by Z Gallerie

The kitchen and dining room in the house are no less important than the rest of the rooms and their design should be treated with all responsibility. If you are lucky enough to have a separate area, then you probably thought about the decor, because only a table and chairs are not enough for a full-fledged image. nine0003

Today we will introduce you to the latest wall decor options to make your dining room look amazing. Empty walls - there is nothing worse, every hostess tries to brighten up the empty vertical with paintings or photographs, creating comfort and homely warmth.

Some people like sculptures, while others prefer mirrors that create an effect of depth and creative charm. We have selected for you the most popular versions that will transform the overall look of the space, breathing into it the atmosphere of life. nine0003

Unrivaled Wall Art

The trend of silver and gold is still on trend, the dazzling shine of the precious metal will bring a touch of luxury to modern interior design . The combination of colors can be quite soothing, especially if you include works of art in the image.

Abstract painting, especially in such rich colors, looks unique. Shining paint on a snow-white canvas will give vivid impressions and positive emotions.

Watercolor painting, Art by Heroux…

Elegant brilliance presented in warm colors, the visual effect imitating smooth movement is a masterpiece. The beauty of metal can be mixed with a variety of palettes without detracting from the amazing picture.

Brilliant L. Bodine for Z Gallerie

Feel free to group collections of works with similar motifs. Sometimes such sets can be harmoniously combined, creating a single image.

Geo Stitch Wall Art Geometric Combination for West Elm

Reflective surfaces

Wall decor with paintings is considered a great solution, but sometimes they overload the decor. Mirrors in the dining room interior will also look no less impressive, but it is more preferable to use creative solutions. Inject variety and brilliance into the design, which will fill the room with a bold look.

Raindrops by Jonathan Adler

Interpretations of different shapes and original frames will also be appropriate. Just look how beautiful the intricate configurations look on a neutral background. It is preferable to use brass or aluminum frames. nine0003

Monte Mirrors for West Elm

The following example has the dual properties of a wall shelf and an elegant dressing table with bevelled edges. Due to its design, it creates endless images of elements falling on its surface.

Stylish Strand Wall Shelf for Z Gallerie

Original sculptures

Artistic figure is another way to decorate a space. Below is a unique papier-mache decor in the form of a fake deer. Handcrafted from recycled materials from Haitian craftsmen, it shows dramatic contours and blends so beautifully into the setting. nine0003

Sculptures by West Elm

Nothing compares to the chic sheen of metal that imitates precious views. For example, luxury gold in its original form looks great. Brass thorns will add zest to the refined interior of .

C. Jeré Urchin by Jonathan Adler

Designs made in the style of the Middle Ages are no less popular in this environment. Unusual shapes and intricate images attract attention and interest.

Raindrops Sculpture, Jonathan Adler with C. Jeré studio

Irresistible images provide a unique atmosphere in the dining room. The next example also has a gold and silver tint, consists of metal plates with curved edges.

Modern Art by West Elm

A variety of forms will allow you to create a unique combination. By combining golden needles, you can get a nice set.

Scoppio by Z Gallerie

Brass looks no less brilliant, and if you create such amazing shapes, and from them create a unique art installation - you will get a unique work. Original geometric shapes made of copper wire are a stylish decoration of the dining room wall.

3-Piece Brass Wire Cube Set for CB2

Wall Shelves

Don't Forget Shelving! They can serve as a multifunctional decor, a stylish addition to the design, accommodating small trifles such as sets, vases and other accessories. Their use can be controversial, if only to display unique collections of tableware. Below is the original version of the floating structure, made of iron and treated with a powder coating, which allows it to maintain its original appearance for many years. nine0003

Charming 3 Floating Shelves by CB2

Hanging models look just as cute and trendy, especially if they are made of natural wood.

Trendy Belt Shelf, CB2

Spacious shelving is perfect for compact dining rooms – it's not only a great way to store accessories, but also a beautiful part of the decor. They are an integral part of the object design , which will decorate the wall and help to use the space ergonomically. nine0003

Functional Alcove Wall Shelf, CB2

An elegant option that brings a touch of charm and sophistication to the environment, ideal for a room that has used glossy finishes. The metal frame and antique mirror surface make this piece ultra glamorous, plus the mirror reflection.

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