Budget-Friendly Dining Room Updates

Updating your dining room doesn't have to cost a fortune. We have 17 easy fixes that will add major drama for very little cash.

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November 19, 2020

By: Karli Sanders

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Photo By: Michael J. Lee

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Photo By: Halstead Real Estate, a member of Luxury Portfolio International

Slip Into Something More Comfortable

There’s no quicker dining room fix than slipcovers. In a pinch, you can revamp your space with the seasons or whenever you need a change of scenery. Look for machine-washable slipcovers that can easily be cleaned when spills happen.

Hang a Chandelier

Make your lighting the focal point of the dining room for a budget-friendly and easy upgrade. With chandeliers, the more dramatic the better. Want even more impact? Choose a lighting fixture in a bold color.

More Ideas: How to Select the Perfect Dining Room Chandelier

From: Ana Donohue

Wake Up Your Walls

The dining room can be the most fun room in the house with a wall or four of an eye-catching wallpaper. Scared of the commitment? Temporary wallpaper comes in a variety of colors, textures and designs for an easily interchangeable look.

From: Lotus + Lilac Design Studio

Add Some Floating Shelves

Floating shelves add an interesting element to this farmhouse dining room for relatively cheap. Put your most-prized dishware and collections front and center with this airy look.

More Ideas: 20 Stylish Dining Room Storage Ideas

From: Katherine Carter Design

Mix It Up

Who says your dining room chairs all have to match? It’s often cheaper to buy one or two chairs at a time, so you can save cash while you curate your collection of mismatched chairs. Want to save even more? Grab your chairs from a thrift or antique store.

From: Drake + Frye Home

Put Out Your Best Dishware

Is Grandma’s china collecting dust in a box somewhere? Turn it into functional art by putting it on display in your dining room. There’s no need to spend on art when you’ve already got a beautiful collection of plateware begging to be seen.

Add a Bench or Two

Benches are an easy design element to incorporate into a dining room for maximum impact. These wooden benches pair nicely with the leather chairs in this masculine space.

From: Ashley HomeStore

Go All In on One Color

Using different shades of the same color is an age-old trick to create depth in any room. This dining room blends modern and traditional elements with multiple shades of blue for a cohesive design.

More Ideas: Our Favorite Colorful Dining Rooms

From: Linc Thelen Design

Implement Wainscoting

A staple of traditional homes, wainscoting can upgrade any dining room into a stunner. There’s no need for a full remodel when this classic design element is added to walls. Whether you do it yourself or hire a pro, it can amp up the style in any room.

From: Kendall Simmons

Accentuate With Fun Furniture

Have fun with your accent furniture for an easy dining room update. This traditional dining room was pretty before, but the bright pink accent chair made it stunning. Adding just one interesting piece can instantly upgrade your space.

From: Jennifer Dyer

Add Some Bookshelves

Whether they’re built-in or freestanding, bookshelves are an unexpected focal point for a dining room. Display your collections to give your guests something to talk about other than your delicious cooking. The moody color of these shelves makes the colorful books pop out for an eye-catching accent piece.

From: Ann Lowengart

Make a Statement With Seating

An attention-grabbing piece of dining room furniture, like this red beauty, is all you need to turn your dining room into the most talked about room in the house. Your other rooms might just become jealous.

From: Susan Galvani

Get Creative With Upholstery

Updating seat cushions is a simple and effective way to bring a new look to your dining room. Pick a fabric that brings you joy, and the dining room will always be your happy place. The best part? HGTV has a tutorial on how to upholster seats on your own to cut costs.

Get the How-To: How to Re-Cover a Dining Room Chair

Cut a Rug

Who said living rooms were the only place for a show-stopping rug? Rugs come in all shapes and sizes, so there’s something to fit any space. Have fun with colors, textures and prints for an easy update to your dining room.

From: Halstead Real Estate and Luxury Portfolio International®

Create a Gallery Wall

Have a large collection of art? Put it to use by building a gallery wall in your dining room. Mixing up the sizes and types of art creates interest and dimension. The spacing of a gallery wall can be tricky, so be sure to plan it all out before the first nail goes into the wall.

From: Chango and Co.

Chalk It Up

A chalkboard or chalkboard paint are easy ways to add a fun and thrifty element to a modern dining room. What better way to utilize it than sharing tonight’s menu with your family and guests?

From: Landing Design

Score Some Vintage Artwork

Want to make an artful impact without breaking the bank? Vintage art and signs are often a fraction of the cost of brand-new art. This vintage sign perfectly matches the industrial vibe of this neutral-colored dining room.

More Ideas: 20 Dining Room Wall Decor Ideas