Quick and Inexpensive Dining Room Makeover Phase 1

When we first looked at our home I really loved our dining room. It is separate from the living space which created an intimate space for family meals. It already had a chair rail, beautiful crown molding, and picture perfect *almost* floor to ceiling windows and I knew a quick and inexpensive dining room makeover was all it needed to be perfect for us!

Here’s the canvas we had to work with

One of the very first things I did when we moved was change the light fixure to this beauty.

And I loved it! It worked for a while. But slowly I got bored with the room. It still didn’t feel quite my style.

Paint Begins

I wanted to go for a dark moody room that was a cozy place to sit down for a good meal and enjoy good company. But I was afraid. What if I do all of this and the room feels like a dark dungeon?! Well then I’ll just paint it back! With plan(and back up correction plan in place) I attacked! I chose to go with the dark grey that we used here in our master bedroom makeover. When I chose the color I knew I wanted it floor to ceiling including baseboards, chair rail, and crown molding! So I started with the first coat.

At this point I started to question my decision. I wondered if it would take well. If I’d need 10 coats to cover all of that white. I was going over semi-gloss with a “low-grade” eggshell paint. But I persevered. I did 2 good solid coats and went back through on some of the trim and spot painted a 3rd coat where needed. This is how it looked!

Reveal of the Inexpensive Dining Room Makeover

I was so happy with it! Once the paint was done I started thinking about putting the room back together. I knew the plain white sheers and brushed nickel curtain rod with crystal finials did not work for me with this new dramatic space. I figured this was the perfect time to try the drop cloth curtains I’ve seen everywhere and have been dying to use! Check out the full step by step guide here. I hung them using this matte black curtain rod!

Phase 1 complete! Phase 2 will be coming soon where I add more decor elements like greenery, a rug, wall decor, and maybe even an accent wall! But for now I’m off to throw a dinner party and enjoy this quick and inexpensive dining room makeover with family and friends!