Looking for dining room ideas to alter your dining experience? Colour psychology is a popular theory that impacts us all daily, and one that can assist in creating the perfect dining room design for you.

Have you ever walked into a restaurant and felt oppressed by overbearing black walls? Or instantly relaxed by a soft green interior? This is known as colour psychology; the impact colours have upon our emotions. A recent study revealed that 62-90 % of first impressions are influenced by colour. As the dining room is the focal point of a home, and a natural congregation for entertaining, it is a great place to start using the psychology of colour.

Whether you want to host lively dinner parties or implement a relaxing area for guests to enjoy their meals, the colour you choose will instantly transform the dynamics of a room. So, it is important to consider which colour will reflect your desired theme. Take a look at these colours to inspire dining room ideas for your humble abode.

The best colours for your dining room

  • ENERGISING RED

Passionate and bold, red is a high energy colour that can be fantastic in a dining room. Psychologists believe that red stimulates the appetite and a reason why many restaurants use it in their décor and their branding. The idea of a red dining room may feel a little overbearing, but it needn’t be. Try breaking up the intensity of colour with white, coving or just adding a touch of red with an accent wall. A dark wooden table complements a rich warm red.

Great for: conversation, dining and elegance.

Also perfect for: hallways and studies. 

  • CALMING GREEN

Conjuring up an association with nature and tranquillity, green is an excellent colour of choice for a dining room. It is a calming colour that is said to relieve stress and slow down a person’s heart rate, making your guests feel at ease. Accentuate with leafy plants and our Leon dining table with geometric design for a striking timeless appeal.

Great for: relaxing conversations, harmony and unwinding.

Also perfect for: bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms. 

  • MELLOW YELLOW

Yellow naturally evokes feelings of warmth and optimism if used correctly. Go big with painted walls or small with a sunny bunch of flowers to inject a happy ambience into a dining room. It is a great colour to open up smaller spaces and bring light and energy to a room. Be cautious of darker yellows, as they can have the opposite effect, creating higher levels of anxiety and frustration.

Great for: opening up a space, communication and creating a warm atmosphere.

Also perfect for: kitchens and bathrooms.

  • WARM ORANGE

Desiring lively, energetic dinner parties? Orange may just be your colour. A little tamer than red, orange induces feelings of warmth and happiness and can instigate good communication. Our Mustique dining room furniture goes perfectly against a warm orange backdrop. Crafted with a beachside veranda in mind, we especially love our Mustique extending dining table, which is ideal for larger parties or a festive gathering.

Great for: lively conversation, enthusiasm and creativity.

Also perfect for: playrooms and gyms.

  • GO NEUTRAL

Soft browns, greys, creams and whites are excellent for those who are cautious with colour. Conveying cleanliness, space and a refreshing feeling, they are also ideal for contemporary settings.

Great for: relaxation, versatility, cleanliness and opening up a space.

Also perfect for: any room!

Colours to avoid in a dining room

According to research, the colour blue suppresses the appetite, so it is perhaps one to be avoided. Black can enclose a space and prompt feelings of sadness. That said, there will always be a contrary to the rule and if there is a colour you have your heart set on, then don’t be dissuaded. Introduce it subtly with accessories such as snug rugs or wall art.

Incorporating the right colour is an excellent way to start when researching dining room ideas. Once you have the right colour and the ambience you want to achieve in mind, then you are on the right track to creating a dining room that guests and family alike will love.