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Dining rooms are an often overlooked room for interior design because they can be so hard to decorate. A common misconception is that people think they need a lot of money to effectively decorate the space. This is not the case, however.
Even if you are on a shoestring budget, there are, in fact, many ways you can make your dining experience feel appealing enough to impress your guests and really add value to your life. Your dining room should have character, and the small details and finish play the most part in achieving that HGTV look.
I hope this post gives you inspiration! There are all sorts of ideas, tips, and advice to cover, so let's get into it.
Before you consider buying any new furniture or decor items, the first step is to take inventory of what your current dining room has to offer.
Don't be so quick to throw something out because it doesn't work right now. Instead, examine the materials that sit in the space and decide on a scale of 1-10 how important it is to keep them in the room. Once you have a list prepared, you will know which items to center your design elements around, and you'll feel much happier with the end result.
If you are stuck on which design ideas on home decor to choose from, pick up a copy of Good Housekeeping or do a few internet searches "decorating ideas for home" and select image results.
You'll see many designer-budget rooms, but this should give you some room ideas for your situation based on what you currently have. Whether you are looking for a rustic country charm with reclaimed wood and teal accents, or a more modern makeover, there are so many ideas you can apply on a budget.
Consider tackling your dining room in this order:
1.) Dining Room Walls - Choose a wall color or wallpaper to provide the room's motif. Keep in mind that your floor color may play a significant role in the look this will give.
2.) Wall Hangings and Fixtures - Find or commission art pieces and frames that contrast the wall's paint or wallpaper.
3.) Accents and Windows - Consider curtains or drapes that match the style you are going for. Mirrors make a space appear much larger than it is.
4.) Lighting - Use the proper sconces, lamps, or chandeliers to fully light your small dining room.
5.) Floors and Rugs - If you have hardwood floors, find a rug that will be the centerpiece for your wood table. If you have carpets, a rug with a contrasting color or pattern will set the tone.
6.) Dining Table - A round table, free of clutter, will draw the right kind of attention. Find matching dining chairs or consider placing a dining room chair cover on your existing chairs if they are a little worn or unsightly.
If you really want to give your dining room space a facelift, you'll need to keep in mind the size constraints of the dining area itself. For example, having a large table in a small room can make the room feel cramped and uncomfortable. Instead, you could choose smaller furniture pieces, which will open up the room and make it feel cozy.
Draw up a draft of your dining area on some grid paper and place it inside one of those transparent folders so you can use a wet-erase marker to plan your space. You'll want to take this with you on any shopping trips you go on, along with a tape measure, so you don't misjudge the size when you purchase something.
Did you know that lighter colors and hues can give the illusion of a larger space instead of darker shades?
A useful dining room is one that avoids the feelings of overcrowding and claustrophobia but instead encourages warmth.
There is also an opportunity here for you to choose a lighter paint color for your walls.
Consider lighter colors for curtains and window treatments, which bring in more of the outdoors.
That way, you'll feel less cramped.
You can also hang a mirror to reflect another room's space, but avoid placing it in a walkway or at the end of a hallway to prevent a feng shui faux pas.
Choosing a small dining room table may be the focal point of your search. You will also need to consider the color as it makes a big difference in your dining room's overall aesthetic and mood. This is, of course, really only an issue if you have a small dining room. For dining room ideas for larger spaces, keep reading.
Suppose your dining room area is relatively large. You've got a small family or prefer more intimate gatherings with a group of friends. In that case, you can fill your dining space strategically with furniture items like a bar cart, a bench, or an additional seating area. You can add a statement art piece, a table lamp with some family photos in the corner.
You can also employ a dinner table sectional and folding screen to adapt your dining room to comfortably serve both a large party and small gatherings. While sometimes a bit flashy, a chandelier can also tie a larger room together.
You don't have to spend a fortune on one, though. There are many ways to get the personality pieces you are after while sticking to a strict budget. Let's take a look at some ways you can fill dining rooms without flushing your cash.
When choosing from ideas to decorate your house, you'll undoubtedly need to buy new things. However, you shouldn't have to break the bank to give any space in your house a makeover.
I don't just mention thrift stores because this is a post about home decor ideas on a budget. Because thrift stores will generally carry a lot of variety in design elements and products for your dining room.
Of course, if you have a small space, and your table is too large, the first thing you should do is find a smaller dining table. You can also find exciting lighting options and wall decor design ideas to get the look you want.
Get creative with the products you choose for your dining room, but remember to keep design elements light if you have a small dining room. I found a charming area rug at a thrift store for fractions of what it would cost new. It just needed a good cleaning to get rid of the stains!
If you have a Facebook account, try browsing the marketplace for the furniture you might need. This app also serves to unload your existing furniture if you are clearing out some space. Remember, keeping the dining space proportional to the dining room table size will create a comfortable hosting space for you and your guests.
More digital media platforms provide a marketplace, so keep an eye out for those and choose the one you feel most comfortable with.
If you prefer to not use social media, you can also look in the local classifieds for yard sales and estate sales. You'll often find these eclectic ideas for decorating home interiors that you may feel compelled to acquire a piece or two for another room.
Let's not get too carried away, however. We are on the hunt specifically for dining room ideas in this post.
You may find that after spending a few hours on the prowl, an assortment of wonders to bring out your dining room's potential, but what if you are already happy with your arrangement. You simply want to spruce it up?
A combination of painting, upholstery, and other DIY tactics are just what you need. Sometimes, the best ideas to decorate home spaces involve simply changing the material, paint, or pattern to make it match.
One of the best dining room ideas to give the room an intentional look is by adding an area rug to the floor.
The texture feels nice, and it serves as a base for everything in the room.
It makes an excellent addition to any room. Still, it is especially useful in setting the vibe within a small dining room.
Find a dining room tablecloth and runner for your table to change its look. A tablecloth is excellent on its own, but throw in some table accents like a runner or art piece, and your table makeover is sure to make a statement.
Sometimes small changes like this are the perfect trick to achieve that new effect you are after.
Your dining room is nearly complete, but maybe the table and chairs just don't seem to fit... No worries! If you are using old wooden chairs, applying a fresh coat of paint and a complementary cushion seat update can give your dining room the ambiance you seek.
Maybe you aren't comfortable or don't have the time to refurbish your dining room chairs. Instead, you could choose from a selection of dining chair covers with patterns that complement your room's decor?
These, in part, will help protect your dining chairs and save you a ton of money. This is an excellent way for you to your small dining room budget.
