Q&A: Dark Colors in Dining Room?

Q: I want to try out a dark color in my dining room (we have a light cherry colored wood floor) but not sure where to start. Do you have any recommendations on how to use a bold color without making the room feel like a closet? Thanks! 

A: When choosing a dark, bold color in any room, there are a few things you’ll want to be sure to consider:

1. Floor coverings/colors: We love this photo of a dining room that’s not only using a darker, bolder color on the walls, but also uses a dark mahogony colored wood floor.  The key to keeping this room light and airy is the combination of the beige accent colors (rug, chair cushions, lighting fixtures) as well as the light-colored wood used for both the furniture and the wood trim.
2. Lighting: If you’re going with a bold color, you’ll want to be sure that you have plenty of natural light and/or ample lighting in the room. Be careful or your dark walls can end up shifting the entire mood of your room.
3. Size: Be sure you’re not overwhelming a small room with too much color. You can still use color in smaller rooms, of course, but you may want to limit the color to one or two accent walls.

Good luck with your painting project! Be sure to send us in photos of the final project once you’re finished – we’d love to see how it turns out.