We actually started updating this room a while ago when we closed in an unused doorway behind the dining table and finished the wall with shiplap. That gave us a shiplap accent wall in the dining room and made the space feel much more intentional.
More recently, this dining room mini makeover included painting the walls, adding recessed lighting, hanging new curtains, replacing the old light fixture with a new chandelier, and bringing in a different dining table.
It already looks completely different, but it’s definitely still a makeover in progress.
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Our Dining Room Before the Makeover
The room was functional before, but it felt darker and more dated than I wanted. I knew I wanted it to feel brighter, cleaner, and more updated without turning it into a complete gut renovation.
One of our earlier projects was closing in the doorway behind the dining table. Once the doorway was covered, we finished that wall with shiplap, which created an accent wall and helped the dining area feel more like its own defined space.
Our dining room before this round of updates.
Dining Room Mini Makeover Before and After
After the shiplap wall was finished, we focused on some of the things that could make the biggest visual difference without completely changing the layout: paint, lighting, curtains, and furniture.
Watch the transformation ↓
Seeing the before and after in motion really shows how much the new lighting, paint, curtains, and table changed the feel of the room.
What We Changed
- Closed in an unused doorway
- Added a shiplap accent wall behind the dining table
- Painted the walls
- Added recessed lighting
- Hung new dining room curtains
- Replaced the old light fixture with a new dining room chandelier
- Replaced the dining table
- Kept our existing dining chairs for now
None of these changes required completely gutting the room, but together they made a huge difference.
.jpeg "Dining Room Makeover Progress")
The Chandelier Made a Huge Difference
If I had to pick a favorite change so far, it would probably be the chandelier we used in the dining room.
Replacing the old light immediately made the space feel more updated, and it gave me a better direction for how I want the rest of the room to eventually look.
We also added recessed lighting, which helped brighten the entire room instead of relying on one main light fixture.
It was a good reminder of how much a dining room lighting update can change a space without changing the actual layout.
The room after adding new lighting, curtains, paint and a different table.
Real life around here…
With kids going in and out, somebody is always leaving a door open a little longer than I’d like. Every once in a while that means we suddenly end up with flies or little flying bugs inside.
We keep a small plug-in bug light with a sticky trap plugged in nearby. It has a purple light and is pretty unobtrusive, so it’s one of those practical little things that just stays plugged in and does its job.
The New Dining Table Is Still a Project
We replaced the old dining table, but the one I bought still needs some work.
I’m thinking about refinishing it in a lighter color because right now it feels a little darker than I want for the room. I think a lighter finish will work better with the direction I’m going.
For now, we’re still using the dining chairs we already had. I haven’t found chairs that I really love yet, and I’d rather wait until I find the right ones than buy something just to fill the space.
.jpeg "Dining Room Table Makeover Progress")
Some of the Dining Room Decor Is Temporary
The cow picture on the wall is something we already had. It works for now, but eventually I’d like to replace it with something that fits the room a little better.
There’s also a small shelf in the corner that we already owned. We put it there for now, but I’ve been thinking that a plant or something a little simpler might look better in that spot.
This is one of those rooms where I’m trying not to rush every decision. I’d rather live with it for a while and figure out what actually works before buying more things just to make the room feel finished.
The Coffee Bar Side Still Needs Work
The other side of the dining room, where our coffee bar is, is still very much a work in progress.
We currently have a cabinet there that we originally planned to repaint and redo so it would match the rest of the room.
After thinking about it more, though, we decided we’d rather sell that cabinet and eventually find a different piece that fits the space better.
I’ve also been thinking about adding curtains in front of the double doors. I think that could soften that side of the room and help make the whole dining area feel a little more finished.
.jpeg "Dining Room Makeover in Progress")
A Dining Room Makeover in Progress
This definitely isn’t the finished version of our dining room, and I’m okay with that.
Part of what I like about projects like this is that everything doesn’t have to happen at once. Sometimes it’s better to make a few changes, live with the room for a while, and then decide what actually needs to happen next.
Still on My List
- Refinish the dining table
- Find the right dining chairs
- Replace the wall art
- Decide what to put in the corner
- Replace the cabinet near the coffee bar
- Possibly add curtains to the double doors
This dining room makeover in progress already feels dramatically different from where we started, and I’ll keep updating it as we find the right pieces and make the next round of changes.
What Would You Change Next?
If this were your dining room, what would you work on next?
I’m always interested in seeing what other people notice in a space that I might not have thought about yet.
Follow along with Unlikely Flips for more before-and-after projects, home updates, thrifted finds, DIY projects, and the things we manage to flip along the way.
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