Shadow Box Paint Ideas for the Dining Room

White

• Paint the dining area a bold color and help it pop by painting the shadow box moldings a bright shade of white. Add a chair rail and place the moldings above the chair rail for one look. Place your favorite art, sconces or mirrors in the created boxes. When measuring for placement, consider the fixed elements in the room to ensure a symmetrical installation. Space boxes evenly between windows and doors. If necessary, manipulate the size of the shadow boxes to compensate for the space.

Monochromatic

• Paint a full wall installation of shadow boxes a monochromatic tone to introduce drama and texture into the dining space. One way is to do a feature wall on the largest wall in the dining room. Paint the wall a neutral hue or a bright modern color, such as red, cerulean blue or lime green. If you have already chosen drapes or a carpet for the room, look for color inspiration in the textiles. Build the monochromatic tones in layers with lots of texture. Repeat the square motif created in the walls elsewhere in the room.

Contrast

• Use the shadow boxes to create contrast in the room. A dining area built on taupe and beige will come to life with a dark chocolate or black outline for the shadow box. If your dining table is dark wood, imitate the hue in the moldings. For an eclectic look, paint the moldings fuchsia or cherry red to add a touch of whimsy to the space. Include the bright color of the moldings in the textiles and accessories of the room. Color contrast ideas include orange moldings for a blue room, grass green moldings for a white room and fuchsia moldings for a black and charcoal room.

Other Ideas

• For a different look altogether, wallpaper the inside of the shadow boxes in a bold graphic print. Damask, arabesque, scroll patterns, honeycomb and geometric designs are ideal patterns for a modern look. Or reverse the idea and wallpaper the room, to paint the boxes a separate color. Another idea is to paint everything a single color but apply a paint crackling technique to the interior of the boxes for an old-world look. Choose a rustic shade of terracotta, cream or ochre for appealing results.