I Transformed This Dark, Dated Dining Room with the Most Unexpected Color
When my partner Ben’s sister Annie, her husband Joe, and their son Ollie recently moved back to the Midwest, we were all thrilled — not just because we’d get to see them more often, but also because they bought a house that was basically a blank canvas.
The bones are great, but every room is waiting for some love. Naturally, I volunteered to kick things off with a dining room makeover (check out the YouTube video version here) to set the tone for the rest of their home.
My goal was to make the room brighter, but warmer.
The dining area had potential, but those dark walls weren’t their style. My goal was to brighten things up with a fresh palette of terracotta, pink, and teal tones, grounded with some warm wood pieces. And because life with a toddler is unpredictable, the design had to be stylish but practical. So, nothing too precious or hard to clean.
I started with the basics: patching wall holes, sanding, two coats of priming to cover up the dark color, and warm white paint (Behr’s Fresh Popcorn). Instantly, the room felt lighter and bigger.
To add warmth, I taped off 6 inches from the ceiling and painted the ceiling — and that little bit of the wall — using an earthy, orangey-pink (Behr’s Terra Cotta Clay) that’s warm without being overwhelming. Exactly what the room needed.
I added some wood molding for architectural interest.
Another big change, if you look upward, is the light fixture. The old chandelier was comically heavy and outdated, so I swapped it for a handblown glass pendant I found on Etsy. It’s playful, unique, and, I’ll admit, my favorite part of the room.
While the paint dried, I got to work on the wood molding that would go right at the base of the terracotta paint. (I painted it to match.)
The molding was over 12 feet long, so I definitely needed Ben’s help getting the pieces into place. After attaching them securely with nails and a little Liquid Nails for backup, I caulked the seams, filled the holes, and gave the ceiling a final coat of paint. That molding detail added just the right amount of polish.
I made my own large artwork for the room.
With the big projects done, it was time to furnish and style. A round Ruggable rug (a lifesaver with kids) went down first, followed by a new table and wipeable chairs — all chosen with Ollie in mind.
For art, I DIYed a large monochromatic piece using a thrifted frame and canvas, spray paint, and latex paint in a teal shade (Rust-Oleum’s Lagoon). It’s proof you can fill a wall without emptying your wallet. I rounded things out with a lazy Susan tray by Concrete Cat and a vintage pink vase centered on the table, a snake plant in the corner, and a mirror to bounce more light around the space.
By the end, the room was completely transformed. It’s brighter, warmer, and finally feels like Annie and Joe’s style. I always say it’s amazing what a little paint can do, but in this case, it’s the combination of small, thoughtful details that really makes the space shine. Best of all, it’s no longer just a dining room. It’s a backdrop for family meals and memories — and one that’s modern, cozy, and functional for family life.
Inspired? Submit your own project here.
Correction: An earlier version of this post mistakenly said the teal paint color was a Sherwin-Williams shade. It’s actually Rust-Oleum’s Lagoon.