Often associated with clear skies and rolling oceans, the color blue makes a perfect backdrop for any room and can create both bold and calming atmospheres.
From duck egg blue to deep navy, there is a wide variety of options when it comes to choosing the right shade for your blue dining room – all of them elegant, smart, and even warm.
Blue dining room ideas
These blue dining room ideas are guaranteed to bring a look of cool sophistication to any space. Whether you are looking for dining room ideas for large or small spaces, for rooms that you use for every meal with the family or just for dinner parties with friends, these will be perfect for you.
Blue room ideas aren't usually the first option for dining rooms due to the cool nature of the shades, but you can decorate with blue successfully in a dining space if you know how.
1. Add blue furnishings and artwork
If you're finding matching blue to small dining room ideas, you may want to keep your space mostly white to make it feel larger, and bring blue in as an accent color.
'Consider threading blue throughout the room,' says interior designer Emma Sims-Hilditch of Sims Hilditch.' 'In the fabrics used in the upholstery of the dining chairs, in the artwork and even in the flowers and foliage placed on the dining room table.
'To make a statement you might even consider painting any joinery in a deep blue, adding an element of drama and sophistication to the design.'
2. Go for darker blues to create a cozy space
Dining room color ideas can be more dramatic than those in a living room that you use during the day.
'Blue works brilliantly on the walls in a dining room,' says Emma Pocock of design studio Turner Pocock. 'We use blue as more often than not these spaces are occupied in the evenings and because we tend to gravitate towards the darker blues in the spectrum, we style dining rooms to create a dark cocooning space.'
3. Use blue as an accent color
If you want to introduce blue into your dining room in a more subtle way, then why not make it an accent color? This technique of adding in an unexpected shade in small areas of the dining room is one of the quickest ways to add drama to a space.
'Blue can work well as an accent color in a dining room offset by a neutral backdrop, really making it pop,' says Emma Sims-Hilditch.
4. Pair with yellow for a modern look
'Blue dining rooms can be paired with whites and yellows to feel modern and fresh,' says Emma Pocock. 'Or, for more succulent layers of blue textures, velvet gubi chairs or wood lacquered tables create a smarter feel.'
In this space, crafted by Turner Pocock, the blue wallpaper has been paired with gold and white to create a vibrant look.
5. Add a splash of blue
'Blue doesn’t have to be the primary shade used in your color palette,' says Emma Sims-Hilditch. 'You might add a splash of color to the space by incorporating blue-spined books onto a bookshelf or accessorizing the dining room table with blue napkins.'
In this space, blue is introduced in a subtle way through the dining room cloth, adding a pop of color to the neutral palette.
6. Create warmth with earthy undertones
'Blue tends to be a standout color in a dining room,' says interior designer Cortney Bishop. 'My recommendation is to stray away from a vivid contrast, like yellow or orange. Rather, I'd complement blue with organic, natural tones that easily blend along the cooler hue.'
'Go for shades with earthy undertones that evoke a sense of warmth. I tend to gravitate towards low contrasting colors to create a cozier vibe.'
7. Opt for a soothing scheme
'Blue paint or wallpaper in a dining room can create a scheme that’s both smart and stylish and that instantly dispels the myth that blue is a cold color,' says Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director of Little Greene.
It's also a color that can be happily mixed with steelier tones if you are considering grey dining room ideas.
'For a soothing, sophisticated dining room scheme, the delicate Pale Wedgwood will work well to add gentle impact, whilst being muted enough to provide a touch of tranquillity within the space.'
8. Use multiple tones of blue
'With the right tones of blue you can create a warm, welcoming environment,' says Nicole Salvesen of Salvesen Graham. 'Using multiple tones of blue together can soften the scheme, while introducing other complimentary colors will add interest and warmth the space.'
'Rather than a typical white on the woodwork consider using a different color – or a darker shade of blue for added intrigue.'
9. Create texture with wallpaper
'Dining spaces are the perfect place to add texture in interior design by using wallpaper,' says Ruth Mottershead. 'Designs such as 'Stag Trail' in Sky will create a comforting and inviting space, being complemented by the gentle blues of Pale Wedgwood and Wood Ash on the ceiling and cornicing.'
'Patterns are very much a personal choice but remember to choose complementary paint colors which will help you to create a more cohesive, coordinated interior.'
10. Be bold with a blue mural wallpaper
'Wallpaper not only adds depth and pattern to a space but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to have fun and embrace larger, bold prints and statement designs, guaranteed to give your guests something to talk about at the table,' says Stefan Ormenisan of MindTheGap.
'The classic combination of pristine blue and crisp white can be an effortless way to transform your blue dining room into a fresh and relaxing interior.'
Ormenisan suggests pairing blue and white designs, such as the 'Azure' mural wallpaper featured in this space, with red and blue nautical stripes, colorful lampshades and touches of natural wooden for a timeless and mesmerizing scheme.
11. Get a clean look with white and blue
If you want to achieve a fresh and clean look in your dining room, then a classic color Greek-inspired color palette is a great choice. Blue and white decor is timeless, and one of the most classic interior design combinations, perfect for creating a serene yet fresh aesthetic. The pairing is often used in country or coastal retreats to create chic spaces that look relaxed and informal at the same time.
Make white your base color and add blue furnishings, mixing up with shades and patterns. Hints of green also work well with this combination.
12. Go for a glossy look
Looking for modern dining room ideas that are elegant and still suitable for contemporary homes? You can do this – and create a feeling of luxury – with glossy blue walls and ceiling. Install blue velvet chairs and chandeliers for added grandeur. Go for silver and white finishing touches to complement a glossy all-blue look.
Is blue a good color for a dining room?
Blue is a good color for a dining room, but the shade of blue you choose needs careful thought. For dining rooms used during the day, you might want to pick a pale blue – and if the space is north-facing, it is well worth choosing a blue with a hint of yellow, such as a pale turquoise. This will add warmth to the room.
For blue dining rooms that are only used at night, you can be more daring, choosing darker blues – and even blue blacks, which when lit by candles, will look incredibly atmospheric.
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