Makeover for a dining room

Does your dining room reflect personality or is it a blank room in the home that lacks inspiration? Here are some makeovers and ideas to inspire you to transform your dining room into a space that you want to use for entertaining - no matter how small!

Create the look:
First on the list in this sparse dining room is to go shopping for furniture and fittings. The existing dining table and chairs were far too small for the room, especially when inviting an extended family for dinner. When you’re hosting meals for a large family, you need more than a bistro-sized table!

The walls in the room were given a fresh coat of paint in a warm cream and a soft blue, that would perfectly match the new dining chairs and rug that were bought.


The outdated brick fireplace was removed and covered over with drywall, leaving it a blank canvas for something fantastic. Deciding to blend traditional and contemporary styles, a classic cast stone surround was installed with an updated gas insert that has the look of a natural wood-burning fireplace. Note: If you can't afford to splurge, you can easily replicate the look of a stone fireplace surround using supawood.

The new table becomes the dominant piece of furniture so the lighting above has to be just as grand. So, why have one chandelier when you can have two? This pair of antique silver chandeliers creates just the right presence.

Lots of guests results in lots of dishes and platters of food. To accommodate this, cabinetry was designed that incorporates open and closed storage, and a serving area with a granite countertop that can take the heat and the weight of all the food.

After some final touches – including perfectly placed mirrors to help bring some of the beautiful outdoors into view – this dining room was ready to be revealed. What was once an empty space with seating for four is now a contemporary and classic, Old World-inspired dining room that is perfect for large gatherings and the mountains of delicious food that goes with it.

Create the look:
The homeowners thought designing their dining room would be a breeze, but they could not figure out where to start and lost all of their design inspiration.

The pine table is replaced with a contemporary glass and metal table with a glass top. A custom-built buffet fills the niche and provides plenty of storage. Bold artwork combined with fresh greenery add a zesty vibe that is perfect for entertaining.



Two accent walls are painted soft yellow and the rest of the walls are left off-white to match the adjoining rooms. Dark wood tones and brown leather chairs add richness. Burgundy table settings match the rug and help tie all the colours in the room together.


ABOVE: Most of the colour in this modern space centres around the focal point in the room: the table atop a dramatic red-and-white checked rug, sure to be a conversation starter.

If your dining room is open plan to a living, lounge or kitchen, adding a colourful rug creates a division from the other areas and defines the dining space. Another option would be to paint one wall in the dining space in a bold colour that harmonises with other colours used in the open plan design. As an example: If the lounge or living area is decorated in neutral or oganic colours, and the kitchen in woods - dark of light - infuse the dining room with warm shades of red, orange or yellow, or go dramatic with metallics.


ABOVE: A grey wall coordinates with concrete floors in this contemporary dining room. Off-white upholstery adds contrast and artwork awash in blues is an ideal wall accessory.

A more colourful option in this room would be to upholster the dining chairs in a bright fabric and add artwork incorporating the colour/s used in the fabric. Additionally, an oversized rug under the table could also incorporate the colour/s.

hgtv - janice anderssen