How to Decorate a Dining Room With White Woodwork & Tan Walls

A dining room with white woodwork and tan walls presents an interesting palette for a design theme. Tan is a neutral color that falls into the warm color group. White is also considered to be neutral and can be paired with either warm or cool tones. Other colors chosen for the room should be taken from this warm group to create design harmony in the space. Colors such as gold, red or darker tones of brown are ideal when decorating with tan walls. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Hang draperies in the room. To give your dining room an elegant look, hang draperies made of a luxurious fabric such as brocade, suede or velvet. To offset the tan of the walls, choose a gold and white pattern, or a dark brown patterned drapery. Tasseled tie backs also add elegance as well as function.

2

Hang a light fixture. A gold and crystal chandelier will coordinate well with the tan walls and white woodwork. You can find antique chandeliers for an authentic look, or for a cheaper alternative, find glass and brass chandeliers at home decorating supply stores. If the room is not well ventilated, add a ceiling fan light fixture instead to do double duty.

3

Hang artwork in the room. Food-inspired prints or peaceful landscapes work well in a dining room. The frames should contrast with the walls to ensure that the artwork doesn't fade into the background. Choose dark wood frames to match the dining room furniture, or use black enamel for a more contemporary approach.

4

Select a dining room rug. Even if your dining room is carpeted, adding a large rug underneath your dining room set gives the room a more intimate feel. Choose a pattern that brings in the tan color from the walls, while coordinating with your furniture and decor choices. A contemporary print with black, tan and red works well for a contemporary dining room, while an ornate flowered rug with tones of tan is ideal for an elegant dining room.

5

Place the furniture in the room. The dining room table should be centered in the room, directly under the light fixture. This holds true whether the table is rectangular, square or round. Pick a dining set in a complementary tone for the walls, either a rich dark brown, or mahogany. To break up the color palette, choose dining room chairs with white seats to bring out the white of the woodwork.