Modern Dining Room Colours

Dining spaces often get overlooked when it comes to interior design. Perhaps your formal dining room is rarely used. Maybe your dining room is currently pulling double duty and serving as an impromptu office or play space for little ones. 

Deciding on a dining room colour scheme is the first step in transforming an underutilised space into something truly special. You've no shortage of options if you're leaning toward a more modern aesthetic. 

You can keep things simple with warm tones that serve as a neutral backdrop and make maximum use of natural light. Alternatively, experiment with more dynamic shades and eclectic colour combinations. 

Looking for contemporary dining room colour ideas? Our guide lays out everything you need to know when giving your dining space a modern makeover. What's more, we've singled out some of our very best colours from our premium paint range to leave you feeling inspired.

What are the Most Popular Colours for Dining Rooms?

For many years, beige and neutrals were the go-to colours for dining rooms. However, you don't have to stick to these corners of the colour wheel when putting the finishing touches to your dream dining space. If you're in the market for something more modern, there's a stack of stylish colour combinations for you to consider. 

Looking for something both modern and timeless? Tonal greys and off-whites are particularly effective when used together. Furthermore, this stripped-back colourway works well with traditional and contemporary furniture alike. 

Searching for the perfect colour scheme for formal dining rooms? If you're out to impress at dinner parties, think about earthy tones like russet red and mustard yellow. Alternatively, embrace a more luxurious aesthetic, with teal walls and metallic accents. 

Our Favourite Dining Room Colour Schemes

Still unsure about which colour scheme will work best on your dining room walls? Not to worry. We've put together a premium pick of colour combinations that will turn a tired dining space into something truly extraordinary. 

If you do a lot of hosting, a warm and welcoming dining room colour scheme is the way to go. Think earthy tones and muted hues, along with natural fabrics and textured upholstery. Once you've settled on a colour scheme, you can add to the ambience with accent lighting. 

A colour like Terracotta N405 is particularly effective if you're aiming to create an inviting space. This russet shade has hints of brown and red, making it an ideal choice for dining room walls. 

In smaller spaces, sticking to a single dark colour can prove overwhelming. To offset things, use a more muted neutral like Damask F485. With its soft lilac undertones, this stunning shade is the perfect partner to an earthier base. 

Green is a go-to colour for bedrooms and bathrooms when you're looking to create a serene space. However, this versatile colour scheme can also be used to great effect in dining rooms.

If your dining room is used for multiple purposes, a green-inspired colour scheme is the way forward. By keeping things simple with tranquil green, your space can be adapted around what you're using it for at any given time.

Looking to make an impact? Go for a stylish teal like Silk Road S440. This eye-catching shade works well with whites and neutrals, as well as metallics. This leaves you with options when it comes to selecting tables, dining chairs and other furniture.

You don't have to stick to an all-green colour scheme. In fact, it's often best to coordinate a key green with a subtle blue. Spa X442 is a great choice, with its muted sky-blue tones breathing new life into any space.

If you're short on space, it's tempting to stick with off-white colours or pared-back neutrals. However, these aren't the only colour options available if you're looking to open things up. 

Lilac pinks and dusky neutrals can also be used to create an open and airy interior. What's more, with the right colours at your disposal, you can inject some much-needed elegance into your dining room interior. 

If you want to make a dazzling design statement, go for a colour like Doll H405. Although vibrant, this pink paint colour is light enough that it will bounce light around and help give the illusion of added space. 

If you want to soften things with a more muted complementary colour, reach for Gallery F313. With its lilac undertones, this premium hue will work incredibly well with any pink or purple from the colour wheel. 

Pastel shades are just the ticket when you're looking to dial things down a notch. If you like dining in serene surroundings, a pastel-infused colour scheme is the way to go. 

Start with something simple like Cucumber Y483. With hints of light green and grey, this timeless neutral can be coordinated with a multitude of accent colours. What's more, it's versatile enough that it can be used in traditional dining rooms and more contemporary dining spaces alike.

Eager to mix things up with a touch of subtle contrast? A pale sky-blue shade like Glacier Y435 works incredibly well alongside other pastel colours for a dining room wall paint. 

Sometimes, less is best. A white colour scheme might seem uninspired, but it's perfect if you're aiming to create a formal dining space that will make a lasting impression. 

The good news is that you don't have to limit yourself to an all-white interior. In fact, it's best to experiment with tonal shades and off-white hues that bring added depth to your dining room. 

A colour like Paper F497 is a fine choice for dining room walls. This off-white paint has subtle undertones of grey and icy blue, making it easy to layer on additional pops of colour. 

If you want to go with something slightly darker, think about using Winter V503. This paint colour has a subtle undertone of lilac, which will work well with purple and mauve. What's more, it will serve as the perfect backdrop to oak furniture and natural accents. 

If you're not afraid of bold colours, deep blue tones are perfect for transforming any dining room. If you're a fan of contemporary design, few palettes work as well as this one. 

A dark royal blue like Indigo L429 will create an unbeatable atmosphere in your dining room. When it comes to adding accent colours, keep things simple with off-white, or mix things up with pastels and tonal blues. 

Willing to go even darker? Denim N429 is bound to go down a storm. This magnificent paint colour works well with everything from crisp white to glistening metallics. 

Red is often reserved for the bedroom, but it can also serve as a launching pad for a vibrant dining room makeover. With a couple of key colours, you can turn an unloved dining space into the heart of the home. 

Tomato M316 is one of our favourite red paint colours. Rich and vibrant, this playful shade works well with white and grey, but it also shines when used with forest greens and yellows. 

For something easier on the eye, go with Reef M319. This muted coral-infused paint colour is ideal if you're trying to create a more relaxed and intimate dining space. 

Hopefully this article has helped you choose a colour scheme for your dining room, if not head over to our dining room inspiration page for more ideas.

Dining rooms that tend to be used for more formal purposes need to project a sense of confidence and elegance and decorating with the wrong colours can be a critical error. The last thing you want is to give off a sense of playfulness in a space that will need to be a bit more serious.

That said, many colours would be associated with stylish dining rooms that extrude professionalism. Let's discuss a few of our favourite options.

First up we have Seagull F496. This hue is a crisp, cool off-white with a touch of grey that offers a sense of professionalism to any space. Given its light and airy appearance, this hue is perfect for anyone dealing with smaller dining rooms.

Alternatively, if you are aiming to create a relaxing vibe and elevate your space with a touch of warmth, Lotus F448 will be your go-to hue. This shade has a bit more of a cool-toned cream vibe and will be sure to allow your dining room to feel formal while retaining a soothing appeal. Perfect for those looking to create a space that fits nicely into their wider colour schemes throughout their home.

Lastly, we have Indigo L429. This bold and luxurious shade offers a far different take on formal paint colours for a dining room. Bursting with a very deep blue, this darker hue adds elegance and visual appeal to your dining room. Do express a little caution when decorating with this darker shade it is important to ensure your dining room gets a lot of natural light. Alternatively, you may want to try pairing this shade with one of the others as part of a colour scheme.

You can take your dining room in a completely different direction and opt for a far more vibrant and modern colour scheme.

Here are a few shades you might want to consider when selecting shades for a more modern vibe in your dining room. First up we have Doll H405. This playful peach shade brings a light, open vibe to your home, while still adding a little bit of warmth. An excellent shade for a north-facing dining room.

Going in a slightly different direction we have Forget Me Not H353. This bluebell hue brings a light and fresh appeal to your dining room. As it is a cooler shade it will work wonderfully in rooms that benefit from a warmer light.

Lastly, we have Joy H303. This paint colour is bursting with sunshine and happiness. A great way to bring a positive spin to your dining room.