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Neutral dining room paint colors


10 Dining Room Paint Colors

Color can elevate your dining room to elegant and dramatic

By

Lee Wallender

Lee Wallender

Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 11/22/21

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

When it comes to picking out the perfect dining room paint color, look for a shade that sets the space's mood. It should match your entertaining style since this room is for guests, special occasions, and transient use. Since you're not in the room long, feel free to go bold with color to set an elegant and dramatic tone. Lighter tones work well, too; neutrals are inviting and comfortable.

Here are the top 10 picks for the best dining room paint colors.

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Ben Pentreath

Sometimes, all a space needs is a lick of paint. However, with a plethora of paint color options, and not to mention finishes (matte? glossy?) and trims, which option is best? And once you've chosen your paint, how will you execute the project? When it comes to the dining room, for example, the best paint color should feel inviting and keep the focus on the main event—namely, tucking into delicious meals with loved ones.

To help you choose the best dining room colors before the painting starts, we rounded up 12 trending paint colors that will bring your dinner party to life. From warm, welcoming hues to cool, dark tones and trusted neutrals, these are the swatches you'll want to pick up from the hardware store.

Read on for the best dining room paint colors to try right now.

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Courtesy of Wrede

This color by Benjamin Moore is an almost-gray, dusty-pink tone that looks moody and modern, especially when paired with a contrasting trim color.

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The name says it all. This Benjamin Moore color is perfect for the dining room. Use it with pinks and marigolds for a modern look.

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MyDomaine / Christopher Patey

This otherworldly color is a deep purple-gray that strikes the right balance between cool and warm tones. It transitions from day to night beautifully.

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Looking to create a subtle, romantic dining room? You can't go wrong with pastel pink. "I love the softness and sophistication of this color for summer," says Caitlin Murray of Black Lacquer Design. "Super-subtle pastels feel so fresh right now, but they also offer a timeless quality (and are safe since they read as neutrals)." Serena & Lily's pink is a soft and sweet shade that looks best with warm camel tones and other dramatic neutrals.

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Farrow & Ball

This rich tone is reminiscent of an Old World library and looks fantastic in a home with dramatic crown molding. Pair it with deep aqua hues to give it a fresh spin.

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Pair this warm color with black, white, camel, and cognac tones to create a rich, neutral haven.

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Ben Pentreath

A mid-range warm gray, this Sherwin-Williams tone is cozy but modern—the perfect mood for a dining room.

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As one of Benjamin Moore's trending colors, this blue-gray is a great shade used on its own or to highlight trim in a more neutral room. "When you don't want to go as neutral as white, but need a subtle touch of depth and drama, add gray!" suggest Meghan Hackett-Cassidy and Erin Hackett of Hackett Interiors.

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Farrow & Ball

Not for the faint of heart, Farrow & Ball's true black looks great as a half wall or full one. If you're afraid of the black, don't be. Queer Eye’s Bobby Berk created a “classic yet edgy” dining experience in his own home with the hue. “It doesn’t have to be scary," he advised us.

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Green is having a moment in interior design, and forest green pairs well with crisp white marble and polished brass.

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Farrow & Ball

This Farrow & Ball staple is a rich, warm gray that will add moodiness to your dining room. Use it on the doors and trim as well to create a modern, uniform look.

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Sherwin-Williams

An almost blue-gray color, this Sherwin-Williams tone is a great shade to try as a half-wall or to create a monochrome theme on walls, moldings, trims, and the ceiling.

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Color plays an important role in the interior. The color design of the dining room affects not only the mood and appetite - it can be used to correct the shortcomings and emphasize the dignity of the room, maintain the style of the interior. To properly plan the color scheme, you need to decide on the main and additional shades, make harmonious combinations, and place accents.


The interior of the dining room should create a family atmosphere so that meals together are a pleasure. And on holidays, the dining room should be easily transformed according to the event.

A popular design trick when choosing color combinations is to highlight one main color. There are options when, when combining colors in the dining room, two main ones are brought to the foreground, and other tones are used as inclusions. It is important that the main colors are in harmony with each other. nine0012

Light colors. In a bright room, a positive mood is usually formed. That is why light colors and white are suitable for decorating the dining area, as well as textures that enhance luminosity: glass, lacquered surfaces, shiny metal. These finishing solutions fit perfectly into the modern interior concept in a neutral, classic and ecological style, country and fusion style.

For balance, use combinations of white (or its shades - milky, cream, ivory) with deep brown, gray-blue, greenish-gray, terracotta. Dining room decor in these colors will give a feeling of deep inner peace. To create a lively atmosphere, accessories made of silver and shiny metal, cream-colored or painted ceramics will help. nine0012

Color contrasts. Avoid in the dining area hard contrasts of black and colors of the chromatic range (especially red, yellow, gold, crimson, purple), as well as "sharp" comparisons of saturated colors. Usually they are perceived as exciting, annoying and create psychological stress, inappropriate for a meal and in communication with guests. Avoid large clusters of saturated colors in the dining room. Either light, unsaturated, or mixed tones are preferred: sand, coffee with milk, beige, pale pink, gray-green. It is worth considering a harmonious color scheme, using "neighbors" in half of the spectrum: blue and green, yellow and orange. This palette creates a peaceful and pleasant mood. nine0012

A few important factors to consider when choosing a color palette for your dining room.

Dining room size. Choose colors according to the size of the dining room. For small dining rooms, use combinations of light and cold tones, as they visually increase the space. For large dining spaces, combine dark colors with medium saturation and bright colors. Furniture in this case, it is better to choose two-tone. nine0012

Furniture and decor. Consider the room's furniture, window treatments, and wall decorations. If you do not plan to change the decor, choose wall colors that match it. If you are going to completely change the interior of the dining room, you will have more options. One of the easiest ways to add color to a neutral dining room is with colorful chairs.

Adjoining premises. If there is access to other rooms from the dining room, you need to choose the colors of the walls so that they blend harmoniously with the colors of the neighboring rooms. nine0012

Accent color. The room will look much more interesting if, in addition to the main one, you add accent colors as well. But first, make sure that the chosen colors look good next to each other.

Combine only 3-5 shades. As a rule, the background of the dining room and kitchen is made up of the largest surfaces and objects: walls, floors, large furniture. It is their colors in the interior palette that will be the main and most often neutral, natural and close to each other. In addition to the basic colors, you can choose two or three additional colors - darker, more saturated or brighter. nine0012

As a percentage, the main and secondary colors can be divided as 60/30/10. Very bright and dark colors should occupy the smallest fraction of the space - no more than 10%, only as accents and color spots.

Combine colors with the color wheel . When composing a color combination in the kitchen, it is useful to know the principles of working with a chromatic circle that schematically represents the rainbow spectrum.


Interior style. nine0031 The color scheme of the interior should match the style. Dining rooms in a classic or Art Deco style are decorated in deep but muted tones that are close to nature. Bright accents are not characteristic of classic interiors, but contrasts are allowed.


European shabby chic and Provence, Gustavian and French styles are characterized by a pastel and neutral palette without too bright accents.


Scandinavian style base colors tend to be light and natural, but often with bright or contrasting accents. nine0012

Loft and industrial are built on dark muted tones, often with a lot of brick, wood, concrete and metal shades.

Pop art, retro and boho chic are trends for those who love bright and saturated colors.

Rustic and minimalistic style, eco-style and country style are based on shades of natural materials - sand, grass, clay, stones and, of course, wood.


Lighting. Consider the orientation of the windows to the cardinal points and the level of illumination If the room faces the north side, then soft white and warm saturated colors will help to compensate for the lack of heat and light: yellow, red, orange, pink. nine0012

Boiled white, shades of blue, blue, purple and gray in dim natural light will look cloudy and even create a feeling of cold. Also, do not get carried away with pastel shades, because without sunlight they will seem dirty and dull. But in sunny southern kitchens, cold shades will look fresh, and pastels will look gentle. Warm colors in bright light, on the contrary, may seem too active and oppressive, or create a feeling of stuffiness.

Cold shades subdue appetite, warm ones excite If you are an avid cook, gourmet or just a fan of beautiful food photography, then warm shades (yellow, red and orange, wood and brick textures) in a dining or working area will be very useful. On the other hand, if you are striving for a moderate diet, then an apron or, say, a tablecloth on the table, it is better to choose in cold colors.


With the help of color you can visually disguise the unsuccessful proportions of the room, use gradations of tone, combinations of shiny and matte textures, drawing. nine0012

Textures and patterns. Mirrored and glossy surfaces will make the dining room not only bigger, but also more airy. Glossy shine will create a feeling of cleanliness. Large patterns and textures are suitable for large dining rooms, and for small rooms, choose small patterns and textures - with their help, the dining room will seem larger. The texture should also be unobtrusive, best in combination with a light color.


Basic colors for the dining room and their combinations

White. A dining room in white will look elegant and airy. A palette of shades of white is an option for those who appreciate the simplicity and elegance of style and, at the same time, wide possibilities for color solutions. White color gives almost unlimited possibilities for creating space. White goes well with all tones and sets the contrast. The most popular combinations with black, red and blue tone. The individuality of the design should be emphasized with original graphics or photographs, as well as the intense color of accessories and furniture. nine0012

Black. If you use this color in moderation (without making it dominant) and combine it with lighter or cheerful shades, then black can bring sophistication and rigor to the interior. Elegant black cools the space, pairing perfectly with gray and white. Duets of black with red, pink, green, yellow are acceptable.


Grey. Gray is practical and versatile, almost all colors paired with it become nobler and more effective. However, the abundance of gray (except for very light colors) can depress and chill. To keep a gray dining room from looking boring, don't make classic gray the main tone, especially if the room is dark. Gray is especially good with white (gray walls with white baseboards), pink, yellow, blue, purple. nine0012

Beige. The most compromise among the entire palette. Unobtrusive and goes well with many tones, but is best with peach, blue and brown. The beige color of the walls in the dining room does not distract attention and creates a feeling of comfort.

Green. Green color in the dining room is considered one of the most advantageous and popular. It personifies nature and tranquility, sets in a positive way. It will always be a pleasure to spend time in such a dining room. Green goes well with purple, white, gold, red, goes well with the "neighbors" blue and yellow, warm shades - orange and brown. nine0012

Brown. Brown and its shades are often used in the interior of the dining room. The color of the earth and wood soothes, creates a sense of security and comfort in the interior. It is especially good to use it in textiles, flooring and furniture. However, in large quantities and without suitable complementary colors, it can be tiring. Harmonizes brown with white, beige, green, pink, blue. It is especially effectively combined with pastel colors, creating a calm and eye-pleasing palette. nine0012

Blue. A great color for the kitchen but subject to good sunlight or use in moderation. Noble and deep blue will transform the dining room, making it expressive. It is desirable to make blue dominant in large dining rooms so that it does not hide the space. Blue is suitable for those who struggle with the habit of overeating, who love peace and need self-confidence. The main combinations: with cold colors - gray, green, blue and purple, with warm colors - orange, yellow, brown, red. nine0012

Blue. Dining room in blue is associated with sea freshness and energy of the water element. Mediterranean notes will give it olive, light green, turquoise, azure, blue, white, beige.


Purple. Gives dining chic and elegance. This color is almost the most difficult to use, as it has a contradictory effect - it excites and calms at the same time. Therefore, it should be used only in very small quantities. Combinations: with neutral colors - white, gray, brown, with its complementary color - yellow, as well as red and blue. nine0012

Yellow. Sunny yellow color will make the dining room bright and juicy, the color invigorates, warms, improves mood, any food against such a background seems appetizing. But in large quantities, yellow can irritate the psyche. This color is especially shown in northern and dark kitchens - here it can replace sunlight. It is successfully combined with orange, blue, white, purple and gray. Most often it does not dominate, but is used in combination with other colors. nine0012

Orange. Orange dining room is a popular and modern solution. Orange, like yellow, gives a feeling of summer and awakens the appetite. It is also rarely used as an independent tone. The most successful combinations with yellow, blue, green and white.

Red. This bright, dynamic color is nowhere more appropriate than in the kitchen and dining room, but it does not suit everyone's temperament. In small doses, it warms, invigorates, stimulates appetite, in large doses, it presses and irritates. A dining room in red will look expressive and modern, especially if red is expressed on glossy surfaces. It is recommended not to make it a dominant tone, but to be paired with such colors: black, white, golden, light peach, gray or silver. nine0012


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Decor and interior color in the dining room

The color design of the dining room affects not only the mood and appetite of a person - it can be used to correct the shortcomings of the room and maintain the style of the interior. How to use the power of color in the design of the dining room at 100%? nine0012

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Color and mood

Colors of optimism and harmony. In order for the communication of people with different temperaments, characters and habits to be pleasant and easy at the table, it is necessary to create the right psychological environment, and the color of the interior will play an important role. In the dining room, it is better to do without extreme color experiments. Either light, unsaturated, or mixed tones are preferred: sand, coffee with milk, beige, pale pink, gray-green. It is also worth considering a harmonious color scheme, using "neighbors" in half of the spectrum: blue and green, yellow and orange. This palette creates a peaceful and pleasant mood. nine0012

Locate the dining room in a room with good natural light to create a comfortable atmosphere at the table.

In the photo: a dining room from a project implemented by the design studio U-Style.

Light range. It is not for nothing that the dining group is located closer to the window: a positive mood is usually formed in a bright room. That is why light colors and white are suitable for decorating the dining area, as well as textures that enhance luminosity: glass, lacquered surfaces, shiny metal. These finishing solutions fit perfectly into the modern interior concept in neutral, classic and ecological style, country and fusion style. nine0012

For balance. If you are striving for a stable psychological mood and maintaining an even relationship, use combinations of white (or its lightest shades - milky, cream, ivory) with deep brown, gray-blue, greenish-gray, terracotta. Dining room decor in these colors will not contribute to flashes of sparkling fun, but will bring a feeling of deep inner peace. Accessories made of silver and shiny metal, cream-colored or painted ceramics will help create a lively atmosphere. nine0012

To liven up the color scheme in a bright dining room, use colorful ceramics.

Which color contrasts are appropriate. nine0124 Avoid in the dining area hard oppositions of black and colors of the chromatic scale (especially red, yellow, gold, crimson, lilac), as well as "sharp" comparisons of saturated colors. Usually they are perceived as exciting, annoying and create psychological stress that is inappropriate for a daily meal and in communication with guests.

Avoid large concentrations of saturated colors in the dining room. For one saturated shade, take two or three more delicate, pastel ones. nine0012

In the photo: Sanderson's Fifi wallpaper.

On the contrary, combinations with white bring a feeling of lightness and ease. “Duets” and “trios” are good, in which one or two pastel shades accompany one saturated color: for example, bright orange with pale light green and olive, sonorous yellow with pale blue and turquoise.

Color and style

When dark tones are indispensable. If the dining room is part of a brutalist, baroque, techno, art deco studio, then it is very likely that dark wall colors (cherry, rich brown, blue and even black) will be present in the dining group area. In this case, brighter than usual lighting in the table area, elegant large lamps, light curtains with iridescent textures, mirrors, including those with facet, bright or light paintings will help maintain a positive, cheerful mood. nine0012

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If the dining room has dark walls, organize bright lighting there, use mirrors, iridescent surfaces, white accessories and details.

Precious metal colours. In the area of ​​meals in large quantities, they are tiring, but their blotches delight the eye, make the interior more elegant and luminous: the golden finish kind of warms the space, fills it with the radiance of the warm rays of the sun, the silvery one helps to bring a feeling of airiness, spaciousness, lightness even into a small area or room. nine0012

What to emphasize. The desire to decorate the dining area in pleasant pastel colors often leads to the fact that it looks too amorphous, inexpressive. The placement of accents helps to avoid this: for example, in a dining room in a country or ethno style, you can make a spectacular frame for a window and a wall niche from polychrome tiles, and lay out a colorful “carpet” on the floor in the table area from tiles. Against the background of beige or golden walls, white, gray-blue or dark brown furniture will look good. nine0012

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So that a dining room in an even pastel color scheme does not look boring, use bright accents - be it chair upholstery, paintings on the walls or a spectacularly decorated window.

Color and layout

How to correct interior imperfections. A separate dining room or the area in which it is located sometimes requires adjustment of proportions. Let's say the room is too narrow and long, with a low ceiling, cramped... Using color, you can visually mask unsuccessful proportions, but not all ideas will work: give up sharp color contrasts, use gradations of tone, combinations of shiny and matte textures, drawing . For example, to optically expand the area at eye level, place a decorative frieze and decorate the lower and upper parts of the wall in different, but dim colors, or use wallpaper with a vertical pattern. nine0012

Wall-paper with a vertical pattern will visually enlarge a small dining room. Paste them over the upper half of the walls, separating them from the lower part with a frieze.

Tiffany wallpaper 01 by Sangiorgio.

If the canteen has combined functions. In apartments with a small area, the dining area is integrated into the common one with the kitchen, sometimes it serves as both a "branch" of the living room and an office. In this case, the colors of the decoration in this area should be as neutral as possible, and the decor of the dining room should be discreet, but in harmony with the rest of the color scheme. For example, in an interior decorated with eco-style elements, the main colors may be white, golden and brown, but only white and light shades of wood will dominate in the dining area. nine0012

Warm colors are said to stimulate appetite. In the dining room, it is desirable to use diluted shades of the warm spectrum.

In the photo: a dining room from a project implemented by designer Evgeniya Lyod.

Color and appetite

How to increase appetite. It is believed that the colors of the dining room should stimulate appetite, although this often only applies to younger family members or people with constant ailments.

Learn more