5 Paint Colors You Should Never Use in a Dining Room, According to Designers

Choosing a paint color for a dining room feels simple enough—until you’re halfway through a meal, wondering why everything looks off. Dining rooms carry real mood-setting power, and as our habits have shifted toward more home hosting, the colors we choose need to work harder than ever.

There are a few shades in particular that don’t work in this space, often leaving the room feeling flat, harsh, or strangely unappetizing. If you’re aiming for a dining room that feels warm and inviting, here are the paint colors to rethink—plus, some designer-approved alternatives.

Red

Red is often chosen for dining rooms because it feels bold and atmospheric, and sparks conversation. However, its intensity has a way of crowding the room, especially once the evening light sets in and everything becomes more concentrated.

“In my experience, colors that look great on a swatch can behave very differently once they’re in a dining room," says Anthony Chan, director of Chan Architecture. "Strong reds, for example, tend to dominate the space and create a kind of visual tension—it’s hard for anything else in the room to breathe.”

If you’re drawn to red, then Chan recommends exploring more grounded, desaturated versions. These will add atmosphere, without overwhelming the entire experience.

Deep Purple

Deep purples can be moody and dramatic, but in a dining room, they often clash with the overall atmosphere.

”The challenge lies in how much light that purple absorbs,” says Chan. “If it absorbs too much, then a dining room can feel weighted and boxed in—especially at night, when it’s used the most.”

Instead, Chan suggests opting for plum-tinged neutrals or softer berry tones that keep the depth, without shutting the entire room down.

Gray

Gray might feel like a safe, modern choice, but it rarely delivers the intimacy a dining room needs. “This space should feel cozy and intimate, and light gray often falls flat; it can feel cold and uninspired," says Julia Newman, founder of Julia Adele Design.

Even subtle, cool grays can have unintended effects: “Under artificial light, it can make food look strangely flat, and take the warmth out of timber furniture," says Chan.

For these reasons, designers suggest opting for grays with warmer undertones—or pairing them with rich textures and wood accents.

Stark White

Stark white has a way of making a dining room feel uninviting and even sterile.

“I love using bold, saturated hues that give the space a sense of presence and distinction,” says Newman. “In more casual dining areas, softer, warmer colors create a welcoming atmosphere, without feeling overly serious.”

She recommends layering in warmer neutrals, soft accent walls, or textured finishes to keep the room approachable and stylish.

Dark Green

Dark green might seem like a bold, sophisticated choice, but it can have unexpected downsides, such as casting unflattering shadows when people are seated around the table. “It has a way of overpowering the room and everything in it, making furniture, architecture, and even the diners themselves feel less prominent," says Chan.

Instead, he often steers his clients towards soft clays and warm whites. “They’re quieter, but they create a much more comfortable atmosphere, and allow the architecture, the furniture, and the people to stand out naturally," Chan adds.