7 amazing dining room colour ideas to impress your dinner guests

“We love entertaining, but the walls in our dining area look a bit dull. Can you suggest any colour ideas that will make an impact and impress our guests?”

According to AkzoNobel research, around 25% of homeowners are so embarrassed by their dull décor they’re reluctant to invite guests into their home.

But don’t let faded wall colour put a dampener on your socialising – a coat of gorgeous paint is a quick and easy way to create a warm and inviting dining area that you’ll be proud to show off to guests.

So whether you have an open-plan dining space or a dedicated dining room, here are some colourful ideas to give your walls the WOW factor.

1. The midas touch

Warming and lustrous golden shades, such as Cherished Gold, are perfect for creating an inviting atmosphere in your dining room. The perfect balance between sophisticated and cosy, this hue radiates happiness and positive energy. Use it as a feature wall colour to fill your room with warmth, or combine with other shades of yellow and orange, like amber, daffodil yellow or terracotta, to create a strong contrast.

Which paints?

F6.42.60 – 50YY 42/490
F2.14.66 – 30YY 50/176
G0.68.75 – 60YY 62/755

2. Warm and contemporary

One of the easiest ways to create a welcoming dining room is by picking colours from the warm end of the spectrum. Warm shades intensify the atmosphere in a room while still evoking a serene effect. Here, pewter-grey walls and contemporary furniture have been energised with a splash of blush pink. The soft, delicate tones evoke warmth and intimacy, while the neutral colours used throughout the rest of the room create a calming effect.

Which paints?

B6.28.59 – 10YR 34/359
E4.05.76 – 00YY 65/060
E8.15.66 – 20YY 43/200

3. Great expectations

Blend sumptuous shades of purple and deep red to create a dining space brimming with grandeur and opulence. To create a striking focal point, use a rich shade of purple for the walls, and layer with mulberry accents for an eye-popping, yet pleasing, contrast. To enhance the luxe feel, accessorise with golden candelabra and rich velvet cushions.

Which paints?

Z3.23.24 – 30RR 09/187
W2.14.25 – 30RB 11/133

4. Oh so pretty

For a traditional dining room that exudes prettiness, look to the romance of the French countryside for inspiration. Pair crisp, classic greys with chalky, muted pastels like violet and lilac. Combine these soothing shades with classic furniture, and complete the look with accessories with distressed finish, like wrought iron chairs and a raw linen tablecloth.

Which paints?

WN.02.82 – 10RB 74/038
ZN.02.80 – 10RR 75/039
W0.05.65 – 10RB 49/062

5. Go with the flow

Dreaming of a dining room with immediate WOW factor? One of the easiest ways to add instant impact is with a colourful feature wall. Here, rich brown and ochre gold have been blended with a paler shades to create an eye-catching colour flow effect. It’s a great way to add drama to your dining room, particularly if only have a small space, or only want to paint one wall.

Which paints?

F6.42.60 – 50YY 42/490
F7.25.70 – 60YY 57/304

6. Define your space

If your dining area is part of a larger open-plan room, consider defining the space with a bold and colourful paint effect. Choose one colour for the entire room and accentuate your dining area with horizontal stripes. For a contemporary look, leave the edges of the stripes blurred and choose contrasting colours to enhance the sense of fun.

Which paints?

E6.14.23 – 10YY 08/093
N7.31.40 – 90GG 21/219
B6.47.41 – 10YR 17/465

7. Coral reef

If you use your dining room for family meals as well as dinner parties, you’ll want to make sure the colour scheme you choose works just as well for casual, as well as formal, occasions. Vibrant coral with hints of orange is an uplifting and convivial shade that will energise your dining room without overpowering it. Perfect for hardworking dining rooms that are in constant use!

Which paints?

C7.49.50 – 28YR 29/561
GN.01.88 – 81YY 87/031

Top tip

Still not sure which colour to use? Try the Dulux Visualizer app. The app gives you an instant digital preview of how your room will look once it’s painted, so you can see your finished colour scheme before you’ve even ordered your paint.

It’s so easy to use. All you have to do is point your camera phone or tablet at the wall you want to paint, select the colours you want to try out, and tap on the walls you want to paint.