Dining Room Before & Afters

And it took three tries to nail the color!

This once-blank space is now a collector’s dream.

There’s not a lot paint and wallpaper can’t fix, according to this DIYer.

The new, bold design incorporates some of the old furniture.

“The room now feels like a warm hug when I walk in,” the DIYer says.

“It was my first time really taking a corner from ‘blank and awkward’ to ‘built-in and intentional,’” the DIYer says.

The old chandelier was incredibly heavy.

Removing "layers on layers of wallpaper" helped create a cozy, family-friendly dining space.

The homeowner wanted to lean into color wheel opposites.

“When one piece of furniture can play double duty, it’s a win for me,” the DIYer says.

It proves every corner counts!

The DIYer says it’s like “being immersed in an oil painting.”

“I wanted to really celebrate the craftsmanship of this space and highlight the features,” the homeowner says.

“It’s not just pretty — it feels soulful,” the DIYer says.

The rich new paint color does some heavy lifting, but it’s not the only big change.

The dining set is from Ethan Allen and belonged to the designer’s parents.

The transformation total was $200.

“Booth seating is always the spot we gravitate toward at a restaurant, so I wanted to re-create this type of space at home,” the homeowner says.

A (mostly) renter-friendly, colorful, euphoric riot? Yes please.

The new shelving racks up major compliments.

“There really was nothing I liked about this room,” the homeowner says of the “before.”

“I find myself staring at this corner from time to time,” the DIYer says of the “after.” (In a good way!)

“It makes me happy every day I look at it and sit in our dining room,” the homeowner says.

Three IKEA BILLYs came to the rescue.

The homeowners wanted a designated spot to sit down and eat.

The DIYer and her family spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so they needed ample seating.

“I feel like I am in a Parisian cafe every day,” the DIYer says.

This DIYer’s advice? “Don't be afraid to go bold.”

It looks like a work of art!

“It’s a real showstopping space,” the homeowner says of the “after.”

The “after” adds color and drama but still feels bright and cheery.

Here’s why this is one of my favorite dining room makeovers I’ve seen.

The blue reminds me of wildflowers!

“Put on some music, kick everyone out of the house, and have fun,” the homeowner and designer says. “Nails and glue gun required.”

This homeowner’s advice? Don’t be afraid to go bold.

The furniture is secondhand but so elevated.

The new dining room looks like it could come from an episode of "The Jetsons."

Yes, it’s possible to make your rental’s white walls look chic without painting them.

A few extra steps helped the DIY look totally luxurious.

Who knew you could do this in a studio?

Some DIY tricks helped me pull it off.

“This sun-soaked nook has lived MANY lives,” the homeowner says.

The after is “a really unique design and a real focal point” in the approximately 50-square-foot space.

The homeowners wanted “something brave,” and the designer they worked with delivered.

There's now a dash of color in an unexpected spot.

The after mixes a modern touch with the home’s historic charm.

Now, it’s warm and functional for a family.

“I’m proud that we were brave with our color choice despite some initial apprehensions,” the homeowner says.

A cheery blue paint color and statement-making wallpaper came in clutch.

The new space looks like a swanky lounge at your favorite fancy hotel.

Because the DIYers already owned the plywood and the base of the bench, the project was basically free.

This dining room kept the classic black-and-white color palette, but everything else is totally new.

The cabinets may be new, but they’re designed to fit in with the architectural details of this 1926 home.

“I've been wanting a new table for the dining room for a while, and this was the perfect opportunity to go a bit ‘extra’ on it,” this DIYer says.

This home was part of a Sears catalog kit, and many of its original features can be seen in the living room today.

The new kitchen feels a lot more inviting.