Dining room colors
Inspirations
When deciding on dining room paint colors, let your entertaining style be your guide.
Serve up style with our handpicked selection of dining room colors. Whether your style is rustic or contemporary, we’ve got the hues you need to make a strong design statement and give the space a special occasion attitude—even if you dine there every night.
Rustic Dining Room Colors
Keep it natural with this classic color palette.
Contemporary Dining Room Colors
Try these cool hues for a modern design style.
Jewel-Toned Dining Room Colors
Go bold and create a focal point with color.
Create an intimate place for guests to gather with deep, bold hues on the dining room walls and ceiling, or ease yourself into more saturated colors with an accent wall.
-Molly Lynch, Color & Design Expert
Bold & Beautiful: Dining Room Wall Ideas
When you want to make an impact, you can’t go wrong with designing for drama. The dining room isn’t a space you settle into for long periods of time, so it’s an opportunity to use a strong color that is both elegant and dramatic. Rich, warm reds and corals, like Color of the Year 2023 Raspberry Blush 2008-30, create lush, indulgent spaces. For an even bolder look, try using it on the ceiling to create a sumptuous space perfect for hosting a dinner party or a candlelit date night.
If you want a dramatic look with a little less saturation, try a metallic-inspired hue like Marblehead Gold HC-11 or silvery Violet Mist 1437, which will work with lighting to create a glowing effect.
Dining Room Wall Décor, Art, & More
When choosing a paint color for a dining room—or any room—consider your wall décor. Many elements can inspire you, from the furniture that’s front and center, to the décor you choose to display. For a pulled-together look, let your accents be your guide: wood tones, fabrics, and other accessories can be a huge help when deciding on color.
Here, Capri Coast OC-87 acts as a neutral backdrop, while the vintage mirror, ornate chandelier, and flowering bouquet take center stage, creating an elegant dining area. Jewel tones, like the green fabric on the chair, make for an eye-catching pop of color that will have your guests talking.
Be A Good Neighbor: Dining Room Color Flow
To create design flow in the main living areas of your home, consider rooms that are adjacent to the dining room when picking a paint color. Though you don’t have to match the colors of neighboring spaces exactly, your home may flow better visually if the colors relate. Here, a serene dining room in White Drifts OC-138 is framed by White Drifts trim and hallway walls in Mineral Alloy 1622, creating a peaceful transition from room to room for guests and inhabitants alike.
Some of our favorite dining room color combinations for optimal color flow are:
- Chippendale Rosetone HC-58 & Pink Damask OC-72
- Shaker Beige HC-45 & Coriander Seed AF-110
- Great Barrington Green HC-122 & Edgecomb Gray HC-173
- Luxe AF-580 & Distant Gray OC-68
For ultimate color depth and richness that lasts, look no further than Aura® Interior paint. Ultra-premium Aura offers an advanced formula that is more beautiful and durable than ever, creating a fortress of color that continues to redefine luxury paint.
Dining Room Accent Walls
Unlike kitchens or living rooms, dining rooms present a unique design opportunity thanks to their singular purpose: To provide a beautiful space in which to gather, nurture, and indulge. No matter how often or formally a dining room is used, an accent wall—or color—can add dimension and drama to a room that may frequently be in the background.
In this southwestern-inspired space, sunny York Harbor Yellow 2154-40 pops against Atrium White OC-145—a fresh white paint color with a touch of pink. Textured furniture, yellow wall décor and natural accents further tie everything together, evoking the region’s warm, grounded energy.
Dining Room Color Ideas: Delineating Space
If you live in an open concept space, especially a small one like a loft or apartment, delineating a space exclusively for dining can be difficult. We suggest using different paint colors to designate a dining nook, allowing you to create a space that lends itself to meals and gatherings of all kinds, whether it be dinner, your morning coffee, or a midnight snack.
To achieve this look, using a bold hue to break up otherwise neutral spaces is key. In this dining area, a wall painted in homeowner-favorite White Heron OC-57 is elevated by a band of Wenge AF-180, a deep chocolate standout from the Color Trends 2023 palette. Wooden accents and a retro tablecloth further add to the charm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What colors should be in a dining room?
A. The color you choose for your dining room is strictly up to you. Whether you go for drama with a bold, dark hue, or keep things light with an off-white paint color or neutral, Benjamin Moore has 3,500+ dining room paint color options that will help you create a dining room that fits your personal style.
Once you’ve found a color you love, we encourage you to try it on via our paint sampling options to ensure beautiful results.
Q. What color should not be used in dining room spaces?
A. No color is off-limits for dining rooms, however, if you want to keep a consistent color flow from the dining area to the main living spaces of your home, consider hues used in rooms that are adjacent to the dining room when picking a paint color.
Q. What is the best paint for dining rooms?
A. For ultimate color depth and richness that lasts, look no further than Aura® Interior for your dining room paint. Ultra-premium Aura offers an advanced formula that is more beautiful and durable than ever, creating a fortress of color that continues to redefine luxury paint.
Q. What are the latest paint colors for dining rooms?
A. Let your personal design style help you find the dining room paint color that suits your project. For a rustic dining room, we love Cotswold AF-150 and Mountain Peak White OC-121. Cooler hues like Kendall Charcoal HC-166 and Ice Mist OC-67 are great colors for contemporary dining rooms, while those seeking a bold, maximalist look should check out jewel tones like Adriatic Sea CSP-660 and Barista AF-175 to drive home the drama. No matter which mood you're trying to achieve, Benjamin Moore has 3,500+ colors to choose from—sample a few to get started.