As one of the most social spaces in the home, the dining room deserves its own sense of personality. Combining different hues together with colorful dining room ideas is one of the most effective ways to create a modern, vibrant look that is sure to become a talking point at the table.
Whether you’re considering hanging a bold, patterned wallpaper or investing in a set of brightly colored chairs, there’s an art (and a little science) to choosing the best dining room colors, and then knowing how to layer and complement them.
Of course, interior designers and color experts have the decorating know-how to create colorful dining room ideas that look kaleidoscopic, but still feel smart and polished — and we've rounded up nine of their best tricks, below.
1. Start From The Ground Up
Colorful floors can help ground an otherwise neutral scheme, making it feel more lively and playful.
The floor is too often forgotten when it comes to colorful dining room ideas. "I think a lot of people want to play it safe with flooring, but be brave," encourages interior designer Sarah Peake, from Studio Peake.
In the space shown above, irregularly-shaped cement tiles in a palette of green and yellow (a controversial color pairing) create contrast against the neutral walls and natural wood elements.
"I wanted this room to have a sense of fun," Sarah explains, "and it's the boldest choices that make the biggest difference."
2. Make It All About A Motif
Carrying a motif throughout your different finishes will help make your colorful dining room ideas feels cohesive, rather than chaotic.
"The perfect dining room idea is one that feels inviting, comfortable, and full of character," says Ruth Mottershead, creative director of Little Greene.
Dining room wallpaper ideas are one of the best ways to introduce personality with color and pattern, and can be made to feel quite contemporary, too. "For a gentle, more harmonious scheme, use paint to take the 'base' or background color of your wallpaper pattern onto your ceiling and woodwork," suggests Ruth. "Or for a more maximalist approach, consider taking the deepest or brightest color from within the pattern onto your painted surfaces."
Carrying a motif throughout the space ensures colorful dining room ideas like these still feel cohesive. To balance bolder prints, pick out your favorite shades from the design and color block with furniture and accessories.
Ruth Mottershead is one of the UK's most respected experts on color. She heads up the creative studio for the iconic paint and wallpaper manufacturer Little Greene, translating the brand's eighteenth-century roots into beautiful contemporary designs.
3. Paint the Walls in Different Colors
If you're stuck when picking dining room paint ideas, why settle for just one? Pick a different shade for each wall, for a truly unique and colorful dining room idea.
"Layering a statement palette that commands attention with sumptuous textures and some lighter elements will invite you to linger long after the meal has ended," says Romanos Brihi, co-founder of Studio Vero.
For a contemporary space that feels welcoming, the best combinations are those inspired by nature. Different shades of green and blue can create freshness and sophistication, while yellows and pinks will uplift the senses.
4. Accentuate Architectural Features
Color can help to modernize more traditional design elements like wall moldings, by making them feel playful.
Wall panelling can give a dining room a sense of character, but these more traditional features can sometimes feel out of place in more contemporary schemes. That's where paint can work to modernize the look.
And when it comes to choosing colors, Emma Bestley from paint brand, YesColourssays to be dynamic. "A trio of colors will give a space visual interest without overwhelming, and pastels work exceptionally well," she adds. "The 60-30-10 rule is a great place to start: 60% dominant color, 30% secondary, and 10% accent."
5. Introduce Gentler Colors With A Mural
Wall murals are like a work of art, and while largescale, somehow feel like a less overwhelming way to add color to a dining room.
If you're not looking to cover all four walls of your dining room in a wallpaper, don't dismiss the idea altogether. "Wall murals are perfect for sparking conversation," says Abigail Watson, creative director of 1838 Wallcoverings.
The natural vista in the design shown above, from the brand's collaboration with V&A, is a great way to embrace colorful dining room ideas without overwhelming the space.
"The earthy tones of warming terracotta, deep brown, and dusky blues of this design have a real cohesion," adds Abigail.
This jungle-themed wall mural acts like a work of art, subtly injecting your space with color.
6. Create an eclectic look
Even a maximalist scheme needs some kind of cohesion to ensure the color doesn't clash.
Colorful dining room ideas should ignite the senses with a mix of interesting shapes, textures, and colors, but if you're looking for an elegant take on something a little more maximalist-eclectic , it's all about balance in interior design.
"Introducing brighter hues in smaller doses is a brilliant way to mix multiple colors in a sophisticated way," advises the interior designer Birdie Fortescue.
To ensure it feels eclectic and not all over the place, Birdie recommends, "Picking out a color in a single piece you love, whether that’s a rug or a painting, and use it as a building block for the room. The result will feel intentional and entirely personal."
It's why the colorful dining room shown above, with its mix of vibrant reds, rich blues, and soft greens, works together, she adds.
Sometimes, the best colorful spaces start with one single piece — and this corduroy ottoman would do the trick!
7. Combine Color And Pattern
Patten has a way of softening a strong use of color in space, like seen in this elegant dining room.
"In a dining room, color can elevate the effect of pattern," explains interior designer Alex Alonso. "There’s a sense of balance when something orderly meets something more organic and natural."
In this colorful dining room idea, color is used in a graphic way to frame the ceiling and cornicing, as well as the doorframe and skirting boards. This allows the more freeform botanical design of the dining chairs, in the centre of the room, to enjoy a separate moment in the spotlight.
Alex Alonso launched his Miami-based design studio to bring a global perspective to interiors. Born in Cuba, he had travelled extensively across the world and uses these adventures as the starting point for each of his projects.
8. Take it Back to Basics
Primary colors may seem jarring to some, but when used in a balanced way, are a fool-proof way to create a colorful dining room scheme.
"Using primary colors might seem a little like child's play, but with the right tones and proportions, they can work together in a way that feels both playful and sophisticated," explains Anna Hill from paint brand, Fenwick & Tilbrook.
When it comes to bringing this colorful dining room idea to life, Anna "always suggests clients choose one dominant shade and use others more sparingly," she says.
A palette of blue, red, and yellow — and a note of green — gives this dining room a nod to bold Bauhaus design, with colorful furniture an easy way to expand the palette.
This bright twist on a classic of mid-century modern design will bring a burst of sunshine to your dining table.
9. Use Shades To Soften A Space
For dining rooms with industrial interior design features — think polished concrete, exposed pipes, or plaster walls — don't be afraid to inject colors like pale pink and soft leaf green that typically sit on the prettier side of the spectrum.
"There's a definite trend towards using delicate, more charming colors beside contemporary industrial architecture," says Graham & Brown's Paula Taylor. "It's all about creating a compelling contrast, and these lighter, calming shades can uplift a darker industrial interior by making it appear more spacious."
FAQs
Which Colors Work Together Best In A Dining Room?
Whether you’re decorating with two, three, or more different colors, the best pairings create a sense of contrast that will enhance the space rather than making it feel disjointed. Here are some of our favorites to inspire you:
- Teal and Pink: Enliven the cool undertones of moody teal with pretty blush tones.
- Orange and Blue: For a bold look, choose a saturated version of both colors.
- Blue, Gray, and Orange: Warm terracotta is a grown-up partner to stone-y shades of blue and gray.
- Yellow and Red: Go for sunshine and tomato versions of these primary colors.
- Blue and Green: Create a gentle scheme with pastels or set a sophisticated tone with darker hues.
To create a dining room that looks layered and feels inviting, color is one of the most essential elements in your decorating toolkit. Whether you're incline to go bold with vibrant hues, or prefer to create a softer look by decorating with pastels, don't be afraid to have a bit of fun.
When it comes to colorful dining room ideas, the best go beyond a painted wall or two — instead, they mix shades in interesting ways, creating a space that feels personalized, and, more importantly, is sure to get your dinner guests talking.
