Black is the color black goes with everything—including the dining room. Your dining room is a great place to add black because it’s a room that’s meant to set a mood. Additionally, you can incorporate this color into your dining room regardless of your current design style because it goes well with traditional, transitional, and modern decor alike.
If you’ve been on the fence about adding the color black to your dining room, we say pick out some paint, wallpaper, and fabric swatches and go for it. Here are 40 inspirational black dining room ideas to bolster your courage.
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01
of 40Go With Green Undertones
Black can be a really nuanced color, so pay attention to the undertones. If you tend to decorate with earthy cool tones, consider a black with green undertones, such as Jasper by Sherwin-Williams (pictured above). If you want to play up the green undertones, add a house plant or two to the room.
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02
of 40Bring in Warmth With Brown
Another common undertone that appears in black is brown. Nicholas Pica, interior designer at Studio Pica Design, chose Deep Creek 1477 for his dining room, which reads as either black or a deep, rich brown, depending on the time of day. This is an ideal choice for dining rooms with wood furniture.
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03
of 40Embrace Antiques
Black walls make the perfect canvas for all things old. This dining room design by deVol Kitchens gives off major dark academia vibes. Hang art framed in antique gold frames to complete the look.
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04
of 40Freshen Up Dingy Walls
You might not immediately think of the word „fresh“ when you think of the color black. However, this before-and-after kitchen makeover is the perfect testament to this hue’s ability to breathe new life into a dining room. Go with black drapes if you really want to embrace drama.
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05
of 40Go With Bold Wallpaper
Design by @in.house.design / Photo by @philcrozier / Instagram
Wallpaper with a large pattern and black background is a great way to introduce a dark flair to a dining room without making it feel too stark. Going with a floral design will add a soft edge as well.
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06
of 40Choose a Smaller Print Instead
Emily Henderson Designs / Photo by Tessa Neustadt
A black wallpaper with a smaller print can also look great in a dining room. To add brightness and achieve balance in the space, consider painting the ceiling white and adding white board and batten. Light-and-airy drapes will also keep the space from feeling too stuffy.
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07
of 40Pair it With Beige
Design by @jacobson_home / Photo by @les.collection / Instagram
Shades of creamy beige look wonderful against black paint that gives off warm undertones. Beige will also play well with any wood tones in the space, such as a wood dining room table. If you’re not a big fan of beige, you can also try greige or tan.
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08
of 40Hang Large-Scale Art
Design by @twiggandlu_designco / Photo by @mackenzie_merrill
Black walls can create the illusion of too much space at times (e.g., black holes). To combat this, you can add large-scale art that features a lighter color scheme, which will almost work as a window to open the space up.
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09
of 40Adorn Your Walls With Gold
@georginashomedecor / Instagram
Gold pops beautifully against black walls. You can bring gold tones into your dining room through art and repeat it in details like your chandelier. Also, never be afraid to mix metals. Silver and nickel also look great against black.
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10
of 40Hang Sheer Curtains
Design by @habachydesigns / Photo by @galina.juliana / Instagram
If you really want to lean into the moody look of a black dining room, consider hanging sheer curtains to diffuse the light on a large window. This works exceptionally well in rooms with black ceilings and darker flooring.
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11
of 40Hang Black and White Photos
Design by @shophousedesign / Photo by @rmcginnphoto / Instagram
A black dining room is a great place to hang modern or vintage black and white photos. Hang pieces by your favorite artist or even your old family photographs.
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12
of 40Go High With Board and Batten
@morganelizabethart / Instagram
White board and batten brings in so much brightness to a black dining room. If you want only a small pop of black in your dining room, you can opt for board and batten that takes up two thirds of your wall, and paint the ceiling to match.
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13
of 40Paint the Ceiling Black
@johnston.designs_ / Instagram
If you’re looking for a spot to add a pop of black to, just look up. Black can provide a sense of visual depth and make your ceilings appear taller. You can also create the same effect with black wallpaper on your ceiling.
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14
of 40Paint Under a Picture Rail
@thatemilyfarris / Instagram
Another way to add just a hint of black to your dining room is by painting just the portion under a picture rail. Painting the ceiling the same color will create cohesion.
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15
of 40Add Plants for Contrast
@wilhelminadesigns / Instagram
Since green and black play so well together, a black dining room with ample natural light is the perfect place for your plants to live. The result will be a super fresh look. If you don’t have a green thumb, you can always opt for faux plants.
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16
of 40Add Texture With Picture Molding
@touchesofwood_lexi / Instagram
If you end up painting your dining room walls black and notice that they seem a bit flat, try playing around with picture molding to create some depth and texture. Picture molding is wonderful for traditional, transitional, and modern design styles alike.
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17
of 40Curate a Gallery Wall
@emilykayrichardson / Instagram
Just like a chalk contrasts well against a blackboard, art work stands out on a black wall. Create your own mini art gallery in your dining room. Art makes great conversation pieces when you have friends over.
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18
of 40Create Contrast With White Flooring
Tile works well in a kitchen for easy clean-up, and the same is true for a dining room or breakfast nook. White hexagon tile with dark grout is a timeless choice that will brighten a black dining room.
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19
of 40Paint Your Furniture Black
Design by Ryann Miller / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Painting your walls black is not the only way to incorporate this dark shade into your dining room. If you have an old piece of furniture that needs some love, consider painting it black. You can paint an old cupboard or curio cabinet black and stow away your extra plates and table decor in there. A black dining room table would also add a sense of sophistication to your dining room.
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20
of 40Stain Wood Features Dark
Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer
Certain wood stains can look black, so if you have any original wood features or new built-ins, consider going dark. Dark shelves allow collections to pop.
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21
of 40Introduce Pattern Into Panels
Design by Candace Mary Interiors / Photo by Martin Vecchio
If you don’t want to commit to black wallpaper on every inch of your dining room walls, you can frame out small sections with picture molding.
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22
of 40Wallpaper an Accent Wall
HausChic / Christopher Lee Foto
Another low-stakes way to incorporate black wallpaper into a dining room is through an accent wall. You can color-match tones from the wallpaper and select them for the other walls.
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23
of 40Paint an Accent Wall Black
@half.finished.home / Instagram
While wallpaper certainly makes an intriguing accent wall, so does black paint. While you’re already playing with two tones on your walls, you can do the same in your furniture. For example, a medium-stained wood table looks great paired with lighter-stained chairs.
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24
of 40Create Visual Space With a Mirror
In some situations, black walls can make a room feel slightly enclosed. If you notice this happening, propping up a large floor mirror may solve the problem entirely. Plus, it can make for a nice spot to take group selfies when you entertain.
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25
of 40Select a Black With Cool Undertones
Design by Tyler Karu / Photo by Erin Little
Black paint with blue undertones is a great option if you want to create a romantic setting for candle light dinners. A deep blue that reads as black in the evening paired with shimmering gold accents will mirror the midnight sky.
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26
of 40Try Soft Charcoal Black
Design by Arlyn Hernandez / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
You don’t have to go all in with pitch-dark black paint. Charcoal black is a good option for dining rooms that don’t get a lot of natural light. You can also create corners of light with wall sconces and taper candles in a low-light situation.
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27
of 40Paint the Trim Black
Design by Michael Keck / Photo by Sara Ligorria Tramp
Another way to introduce black into your dining room is through the trim. Consider painting the trim around your windows, baseboards, crown molding, and picture rails a shade of black. Alternatively, you can also stain them a dark brown that looks black in certain lighting.
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28
of 40Lean Into a Rustic Look
@jordanholderhome / Instagram
Black is such a versatile color. One style that you might not think of using it with is a rustic farmhouse style. However, black walls can look amazing with furniture with chipped paint and even a cowhide rug.
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29
of 40Pair Black Chairs With Black Walls
@the.mari.foster / Instagram
To create a balanced look in your dining room with black walls or a black accent wall, you can mirror the color in your dining room furniture and accessories. For example, black dining room chairs are a great design choice if you have a black accent wall.
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30
of 40Embrace a Modern Style
Design by @houseofnomaddesign / Photo by @laurasumrak / Instagram
Black-painted walls make a wonderful backdrop for modern white furniture and art. If you want to add some warmth, you can bring in tan through natural elements like a wood bead chandelier or a basket.
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31
of 40Lean Industrial Modern
@mhouseinc / Instagram
If your decorating style is a bit industrial modern, black is a good wall color choice. It will complement steel, silver, and wood accents well. Simple hang some modern art for a small pop of color and you’re good to go!
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32
of 40Stick With Neutrals
Design by @laurenashleyelder / Photo by @lesliebrownphotography / Instagram
You typically don’t have store colorful items like books, bottles of condiments, or beauty products in a dining room, so it’s an easy spot to embrace a neutral color scheme. White, black, and gray are all shades that look as if they were made for each other.
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33
of 40Add In Light with Linens
@decorkateky / Instagram
Off-white upholstered dining chairs and airy linen curtains can create a dreamy look in a black dining room. A crystal chandelier might just be the perfect finishing touch.
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34
of 40Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets Black
Design by @blessedlittlebungalow / Photo by @brittanybahphotography / Instagram
If your home follows an open concept, you can add the color black to your dining room through your kitchen cabinets. A fresh coat of black paint paired with gold knobs and pulls will create a modern, chic look.
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35
of 40Choose Black Light Fixtures
@shabnamguptainteriors / Instagram
Above a dining room table is a great spot to play with statement lighting and the color black. Light fixtures with black shades or ornate ironwork can add a Victorian flair to your dining room. However, black light fixtures can also look modern or transitional, depending on what style you go with.
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36
of 40Install Black Shiplap
@lisaclarkdesign / Instagram
White is such an iconic color for shiplap, but if you want to create a more unique look, we say paint it black. We love how the lines in shiplap add texture in a clean, subtle way.
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37
of 40Match the Trim to the Walls
Design by @kristinacrestindesign / Photo by @josephgbradshaw / Instagram
If you decide to paint your walls black, you have a couple of choices to make when it comes to your window trim. You can highlight these features with a lighter color paint, such as off-white, or you can try out color drenching and paint them black. Color drenching is a design technique that involves focusing on one single hue in a room and adding that to several elements.
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38
of 40Create Contrast on the Trim
HausChic / Christopher Lee Foto
We already made the case for matching the trim to your walls, but creating contrast by painting them white is also a good look. It can add a modern edge to a farmhouse style. Repeating the same white paint on the ceiling will create a finished look.
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39
of 40Paint Beaded Board Black
@houseofjadeinteriors / Instagram
Beaded board installed in a vertical orientation is a modern alternative to shiplap. Black makes an especially great color for this wall treatment because it really highlights the grooves and makes the texture pop. If you really want to commit to the look and make a statement, try continuing the black color onto the ceiling.
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40
of 40Limewash Your Walls
Design by @helloarthurs for @thefilomena / Styling by @kieracoffee / Photo by @danetashima
Black works extremely well in traditional dining rooms with wooden antiques. If you paint your dining room black and notice that it looks a bit too new, there’s an easy fix for that: Limewash. This type of paint creates a patinaed look in a dining room.