Color Feast: When to Use Red in the Dining Room
Although red is a classic hue for a dining room (due to its ability stimulate our appetites and our conversations), a floor-to-ceiling red-clad cave is too intense for most of us. So, how do you get red right? I prefer to use red as an accent color, with a swath on a wall, ceiling or floor, or in smaller bits around the room. To me, it's all about balance. Too much red is overwhelming, but too little feels off as well.
Pay attention to what colors and materials you pair red with. Red mixed with rich wood tones and other warm, neutral hues can give you a cozy, traditional feel. But when paired with cool neutrals and stainless steel, red has a crisper and more modern vibe.
Here are seven stylish riffs on the classic red dining room, along with paint picks and more tips on using red in your own dining space.
Red paint picks for dining rooms (from left to right):
1. Gypsy Red SW6865, Sherwin-Williams
2. Quite Red 1011-3, Valspar
3. Luscious S-G-130, Behr
4. Roseate 2078-10, Benjamin Moore
What a clever idea for a dining room accent wall! These random rectangular pieces of red glass assembled with clear silicone are a brilliant and affordable way to add color and texture to a dining room wall. A couple of red dining chairs pick up the accent wall color without knocking you over the head with red.
Here's another nifty idea for injecting hot red into a dining room. The red cutout seating niche looks very cozy and inviting — perfect for dinner parties.
A bold red accent wall can really dress up a modern, minimalist space. The red also adds warmth. If you have a lot of stainless steel and cool neutrals in and around your dining room, an injection of red will help take the chill out.
Instead of a flat painted red accent wall, consider a red wall with a subtle pattern or texture to it. It's an easy way to add an interesting element to an otherwise clean and neutral space.
If you want to be subtler about using red, think about creating visual rhythm. Rhythm in interior design refers to the repetition and placement of a visual element. Try integrating several red items arranged in clusters throughout a space, like in this room. Here our gaze is drawn to each red item to take it all in.
Red is definitely an attention-grabbing hue, so use it wisely to highlight interesting items or pieces that you want to really stand out in a space.
Not into supercolorful dining rooms? No problem. You can keep your dining space light and neutral and still get a little dash of color via wall niches. Paint the insides with a fun, lush red, so that the niches and displayed items get the attention they deserve.
Tell us: How have you used red in your dining room? Please upload a photo of your red dining room to the Comments section.
More guides: How to use red around the house
Palettes for your favorite decorating colors
