Do you have any pics you could post? It is very fashionable these days to have a slightly darker shade on wall, as you can play around with the lighting and make it very cosy, relaxed with dimmers or as bright as you like. However, if you go darker on the walls, you really need lighter furniture or vice versa. You can't have dark with dark ! You could always consider painting the legs of the table, and the chairs maybe, keeping the coffee brown top to match the walls and then adding good lighting. Would look quite intimate! Don't forget to add two or three big mirrors to reflect the lights and to make the room look bigger. You could also consider a 'window mirror', so that you think it actually one.

Is the dining room used mainly at night? If so, I wouldn't try and fight the light. Either dark muted shades of red or green would work with the wood (although you may want to change the blue on the arch if opting for red). As Bagpuss said you can use mirrors to make the room feel bigger. Note the red paint will bring the ŵalls in (and potentially green depending on shade) but it would be negated by mirrors. I'd consider a light patterned rug under the table and maybe a table runner depending on your style. I'd also go for a glass pendant or chandelier and look to add chrome/nickle candlesticks or glass and chrome hurricane lamps etc on the table, along with other accessories, as they will add to the intimate feel and will catch the light. You could also consider cushions for the chairs. If you've got the budget I would also consider adding ŵall lights, if not is there room for floor or table lamps anywhere? If you don't want a darker space, then I'd look at warm neutral paints again with mirrors. To add life do add flowers and/or plants, art, pattern in a rug etc. Whichever option I'd paint the door in the ŵall colour as that should help it feel a little bigger

Sorry I forgot to say you could also try mirrors opposite each other on the longer ŵalls and also a horizontal striped rug would make it feel wider

I would paint all wall and woodwork in a very pale, but warm green, you need to paint the door, everything same pale colour, with a white ceiling. Add a central light and change the flooring. The dining table doesn't work with the floor at all. Then add all the mirrors! If i get time in the morning i'll try and do a plan for it !

I still think going dark as someone mentioned above would be a big mistake, it's going to be like entering a cave! I've done you a screenshot with everything white on the walls and ceilings so that you can see what a huge difference it makes. Pale green with your table will look beautiful, go with 3 mirrors along the wall where the table will sit and another at the end wall with the door on it. A large canvas art print on the other long wall behind the table will sit well and help balance the room as you will need to keep a small walkway through to the other room and can't centre the table. Keep it simple and calm, bright and airy !

I would play around with paint with testers (large a3 if possible). White paint needs light to work or it just looks grey but white with yellow/red undertones could work. I would either try the rich colours or the warm "whites". If you favour the lighter colours people can post some helpful suggestions. Good luck!

You are welcome, sometimes when you see the room completely white and blank it helps !

Hi.

Have you ever considered a real interesting eye catching piece of art work to really brighten up an area, I think a select piece of art would really make the space stand out, add interest, colour, texture and add a great talking point to the room....

Please check out my website if you like the idea and please get in contact, commission work is also welcomed so if you like a particular style I can do in a select colour palette and size as an original piece…..I’m also able to produce all original paintings in high end print format, in any size same or smaller than the original. (all within proportions to the original so not to cause distortion) All prints shown are Giclee prints onto soft textured fine art media. All prints come with a white border these can be made to measure too. So lots of options,

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