4 Paint Colors You Should Never Use In A Dining Room, According To Designers

Given that paint can truly make or break a room, it’s important to take a thoughtful approach to selecting a hue for any space within your home. Wondering whether any colors are ever an absolute no-no? When it comes to the dining room specifically, interior designers share several paint colors that they would recommend avoiding entirely. 

White

Opting for white walls is often a no-brainer, but Zandy Gammons, the founder of Miretta Interiors in Raleigh, North Carolina, urges clients to think outside the box in the dining room. “We like to think about colors and patterns that would spur conversation and excitement,” she says. “Since the dining room is almost always used for entertaining, at the very least it should have some form of texture on the walls with a splash of color. Save the white walls for large, open spaces!” 

Hallie Henley Sims agrees. “The dining room is a space that is meant to be enjoyed by all of the five senses: taste, smell, sight, touch, and sound,” comments the founder of Hallie Henley Design in Houston, Texas. “Please don’t leave the walls bare white!” 

Mint Green

While this hue may charm some, Rachel Cannon, the founder of Rachel Cannon Limited in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, considers it “too institutional.” Cathleen Gruver of Purcellville, Virginia-based Gruver Cooley, isn’t a proponent of such shades, either. “I would avoid using cooler tones and stark colors, as they will make your room less cozy and may not encourage you and your guests to sit and spend time in the space,” she notes. 

Neons

While some designers don’t love light colors, others will advise you to stay away from anything ultra bright, too. “I would never use neon colors,” says Becky Nielsen, the founder of Becky Nielsen Interiors in Nashville, Tennessee. “You want a space that feels welcoming and invites people to eat and stay to enjoy.” 

Ginger Curtis, the founder of Urbanology Designs in North Richland Hills, Texas, also has strong feelings about neon. “Colors like neon or fluorescent shades can be too stimulating for a room meant for relaxation and conversation,” she says. 

Dull Gray 

Even if you’re drawn to neutrals, steer clear of gray in the dining room. “The wrong color gray can zap the room of energy and interest,” Curtis comments. 

Last but not least, be mindful to not go overboard with color altogether in the dining room. “You can definitely have fun with it- but you don't want to give your guests a headache,” Gruver says. “Opt for an interesting piece of art instead—or a neutral combination of paint colors.”