Dining rooms are used for a few hours at a time, often in the evening, which makes them the perfect place for richer, moodier color. The right scheme flatters food and faces and works with your table and chairs. These dining room color ideas cover wall colors, table and chair pairings, and how lighting changes everything.
Start with the Table
The table is the largest color block in the room. Choose wall colors that suit its wood:
- Light oak such as the Wave Edge Solid Wood Dining Table (Natural Oak) pops against navy, sage and deep green.
- Two-tone wood such as the Two-Tone Solid Wood Dining Table, with a natural wood top and red oak base finish, suits warm whites, clay and stone colors.
- Dark wood such as the Dark Wood Dining Table with Split-Top Design (Dark Brown) looks best with ivory, greige or soft white to keep the room light.
- Red-brown wood such as the Large Red Oak Solid Wood Dining Table works with olive, sage and soft white.
See colors that go with wood furniture.
8 Dining Room Color Ideas
1. Deep navy
Dramatic and flattering by candlelight. Pair with light wood, white trim and brass.
2. Sage or olive green
Fresh and natural, and it works with almost every wood tone.
3. Warm white
Bright and flexible. Let the table, chairs and art bring color.
4. Terracotta or clay
Warm and Mediterranean. Great with light oak and linen.
5. Forest green or oxblood
Rich, cozy and traditional. Use with dark wood and warm light.
6. Greige with black accents
Modern and calm. Black chairs, pendant or frames add definition.
7. Two-tone walls
Paint the lower third darker, or add wainscoting, and keep the top light.
8. Color-drenched
Walls, trim and ceiling in one color for an enveloping look. See color drenching.
Chairs and Storage
Chairs and cabinets carry your secondary color:
- Light upholstered chairs brighten dark tables. The Upholstered Dining Chair with Velvet Fabric and Metal Legs is described as ivory velvet with gold-tone metal legs.
- A painted cabinet can add a second color. The Vestia Arched Display Cabinet with Glass Doors and Integrated Lighting is listed in Beige, and the Relievo Arched Display Cabinet in White.
- A stone-look buffet adds a warm neutral; the Travero Modern Buffet Sideboard is listed in Beige Travertine.
Lighting Changes Color
Dining rooms are often used after dark. Test paint samples at night under your fixture, and use warm 2700K–3000K bulbs on a dimmer. Cool bulbs make rich colors look muddy. See dining room lighting ideas.
Open-Plan Dining Areas
If the dining area shares a room with the kitchen or living room, use the same wall color and define the dining zone with a rug, a pendant and a different accent color in chairs or art. See how to decorate a dining room.
See also our guide to choosing a home color palette and dining room wall decor ideas.
FAQ
What is the best color for a dining room?
Navy, sage, warm white and terracotta are popular, flattering choices. Choose based on your table's wood tone and your light.
Should a dining room be dark or light?
Either works. Dark colors feel cozy and dramatic in the evening; light colors suit small or daytime dining spaces.
What color goes with a dark wood dining table?
Ivory, greige and soft white keep the room bright; deep green suits a moodier look.
What color chairs go with an oak table?
Black, cream, cognac leather and sage all work with oak.