Built-in bookshelves are a fantastic way to add character and functionality to your dining room. They provide ample storage for your favorite books, decorative items, and even your china collection. Painting them can further enhance the room’s aesthetic appeal, creating a stunning focal point. From bold, contemporary colors to classic, timeless hues, there’s a world of possibilities to explore. Let’s dive into 26 design ideas to inspire you.
Deep Ocean Blue and Brass Accents
Embrace the nautical trend with a deep ocean blue paint for your built-in bookshelves. The rich hue evokes a sense of calm and sophistication, perfect for a formal dining room. Pair this color with warm brass accents, such as door pulls, lighting fixtures, and decorative elements. This combination adds a touch of luxury and contrasts beautifully with the cool blue. In the US, this trend is particularly popular in coastal areas, while in the EU, it resonates with those seeking a touch of Mediterranean charm.
Terracotta and Green Harmony
For a warm and inviting ambiance, consider terracotta and green. This earthy color palette, trending in both the US and EU, brings a touch of nature indoors. Choose a terracotta shade that complements your dining room furniture and pair it with a muted green for the bookshelves. Add pops of natural textures, like woven baskets or wooden sculptures, to enhance the organic feel.
Forest Green and Gold
A classic combination that never goes out of style, forest green and gold exudes elegance and sophistication. Paint your built-in bookshelves a deep forest green, letting the rich hue ground the space. Then, incorporate gold accents through lighting fixtures, decorative bowls, or even the trim on the shelves themselves. This combination works beautifully in both traditional and contemporary dining rooms, and is currently experiencing a revival in both the US and EU.
Black and White Classic
For a timeless and sophisticated look, go for a classic black and white combination. Paint your built-in bookshelves white and use black for the trim and the shelves themselves. This creates a clean, minimalist look that complements a variety of dining room styles. This classic combination is popular in both the US and EU, especially in contemporary and modern spaces.
Pale Pink and Gold
This combination is a modern take on traditional pink and gold. Choose a pale pink for your built-in bookshelves, creating a soft and romantic ambiance. Then, add gold accents through lighting fixtures, decorative objects, and even wallpaper. The gold adds a touch of luxury and sophistication to the space. This trend is particularly popular in the US, especially among those who appreciate a touch of whimsy in their decor.
Navy Blue and Silver
A sophisticated and elegant combination, navy blue and silver is a timeless choice for a formal dining room. Paint your built-in bookshelves a deep navy blue, allowing the rich hue to create a sense of depth and drama. Pair it with silver accents, such as door pulls, lighting fixtures, and decorative objects. The silver adds a touch of sparkle and complements the navy blue beautifully. This combination is popular in both the US and EU, especially in traditional and contemporary spaces.
Sage Green and Copper
Embrace the natural world with a sage green and copper combination. Paint your built-in bookshelves a muted sage green, bringing a sense of tranquility to the space. Add warm copper accents through lighting fixtures, decorative elements, and even the trim on the shelves themselves. The copper adds warmth and depth, complementing the sage green perfectly. This trend is especially popular in the EU, where green tones often symbolize harmony and renewal.
Charcoal Grey and Brass
This combination brings a modern touch to a classic color scheme. Paint your built-in bookshelves a charcoal grey, creating a sophisticated and elegant backdrop. Then, add brass accents through lighting fixtures, decorative objects, and even the trim on the shelves themselves. The brass adds a touch of warmth and luxury, complementing the charcoal grey beautifully. This combination is popular in both the US and EU, especially in contemporary and modern spaces.
Deep Burgundy and Gold
For a touch of drama and opulence, choose a deep burgundy for your built-in bookshelves. This rich color adds a sense of warmth and sophistication to the space. Pair it with gold accents through lighting fixtures, decorative elements, and even the trim on the shelves themselves. The gold adds a touch of luxury and complements the burgundy beautifully. This combination is especially popular in the EU, where burgundy is associated with elegance and refinement.
Cream and Brass
This combination is a classic choice for a formal dining room. Paint your built-in bookshelves a creamy white, allowing the color to reflect light and create a sense of spaciousness. Then, add brass accents through lighting fixtures, decorative objects, and even the trim on the shelves themselves. The brass adds a touch of warmth and luxury, complementing the cream beautifully. This combination is popular in both the US and EU, especially in traditional and contemporary spaces.
Olive Green and Gold
This combination evokes a sense of sophistication and elegance. Paint your built-in bookshelves a muted olive green, allowing the color to create a calming and inviting atmosphere. Then, add gold accents through lighting fixtures, decorative elements, and even the trim on the shelves themselves. The gold adds a touch of luxury and complements the olive green beautifully. This trend is especially popular in the US, where olive green is often associated with natural beauty and sophistication.
Dusty Rose and Silver
This combination adds a touch of romance and femininity to your dining room. Paint your built-in bookshelves a dusty rose, creating a soft and inviting ambiance. Then, add silver accents through lighting fixtures, decorative objects, and even the trim on the shelves themselves. The silver adds a touch of sparkle and complements the dusty rose beautifully. This trend is especially popular in the US, where rose tones are often associated with romance and femininity.
Pale Blue and Gold
This combination is a classic choice for a formal dining room. Paint your built-in bookshelves a pale blue, allowing the color to reflect light and create a sense of spaciousness. Then, add gold accents through lighting fixtures, decorative objects, and even the trim on the shelves themselves. The gold adds a touch of warmth and luxury, complementing the pale blue beautifully. This combination is popular in both the US and EU, especially in traditional and contemporary spaces.
Grey and Brass
This combination is a modern take on a classic color scheme. Paint your built-in bookshelves a light grey, creating a clean and contemporary backdrop. Then, add brass accents through lighting fixtures, decorative objects, and even the trim on the shelves themselves. The brass adds a touch of warmth and luxury, complementing the grey beautifully. This combination is popular in both the US and EU, especially in modern and contemporary spaces.
Teal and Gold
This combination is a bold and elegant choice for a dining room. Paint your built-in bookshelves a vibrant teal, creating a statement-making focal point. Then, add gold accents through lighting fixtures, decorative objects, and even the trim on the shelves themselves. The gold adds a touch of warmth and luxury, complementing the teal beautifully. This trend is especially popular in the US, where teal is often associated with a sense of energy and vibrancy.
Dark Blue and Brass
This combination is a sophisticated and elegant choice for a formal dining room. Paint your built-in bookshelves a deep dark blue, allowing the rich hue to create a sense of depth and drama. Pair it with brass accents, such as door pulls, lighting fixtures, and decorative objects. The brass adds a touch of warmth and luxury, complementing the dark blue beautifully. This combination is popular in both the US and EU, especially in traditional and contemporary spaces.
White and Natural Wood
This combination is a timeless and classic choice for a dining room. Paint your built-in bookshelves white, allowing the color to reflect light and create a sense of spaciousness. Then, use natural wood for the shelves themselves, adding warmth and texture to the space. This combination is popular in both the US and EU, especially in traditional and contemporary spaces.
Black and Brass
This combination is a bold and sophisticated choice for a modern dining room. Paint your built-in bookshelves black, creating a dramatic and eye-catching focal point. Then, add brass accents through lighting fixtures, decorative objects, and even the trim on the shelves themselves. The brass adds a touch of warmth and luxury, complementing the black beautifully. This combination is popular in both the US and EU, especially in contemporary and modern spaces.
Beige and Gold
This combination is a classic and elegant choice for a formal dining room. Paint your built-in bookshelves a soft beige, allowing the color to reflect light and create a sense of spaciousness. Then, add gold accents through lighting fixtures, decorative objects, and even the trim on the shelves themselves. The gold adds a touch of warmth and luxury, complementing the beige beautifully. This combination is popular in both the US and EU, especially in traditional and contemporary spaces.
