Six DIY Dining Room Updates for Under $200
Updating your dining room can give you a good excuse to gather around the table for a meal, while also upping your entertaining game. Improving the seating, storage and overall design of your space can help you get more out of your dining room, but these improvements can add up quickly. Luckily, there are some DIY updates you can do on a budget that will still help you transform your space and make it a hangout magnet.
Add a chair rail or paneling.
If you have one or two large walls or several doorways or windows, adding millwork can improve the appearance of your space without breaking the bank. You can add a chair rail for about $6 per eight linear feet, making this type of curtain rod the most affordable. You can also use decorative trim to create a custom box cornice, also for about $6 per eight linear feet. Adding a few wainscoting panels can also give you the feel of a more customized space for about $6 per linear foot. For this project you will need a miter saw and a DIY nailer .
Add some clever storage
Taming the clutter without relegating your serving utensils to the back of a cupboard will make your dining area more user-friendly, as well as giving you a cleaner, more well-maintained appearance. You can choose a low-profile corner cabinet for around $80 to store dinnerware and linens without creating clutter or taking up too much space. You can also choose a bench with storage for around $170 to hide some of your bedding or accessories and add some seating space.
Create a glassware display
If you have favorite dishes, you can turn them into a display case and provide a convenient place to store them. Add some overhanging shelves for $70 to display your dishes, or you can opt for a larger bookshelf for about $120 as a showpiece. If you have a small collection, you can also choose a set of wall shelves to create a display case.
Change curtains and chair fabrics.
A new tablecloth can change the look of your dining room, and you can usually find a great tablecloth for under $50. But you don’t have to stop at the table to furnish the room. You can also change your curtains for between $40 and $60 per window. If you’re tired of your chairs, you can add slipcovers to replace them, ranging from $18 to $40 for a set of four. The good thing about the covers is that they can be removed for washing, making them easy to clean.
If you have upholstered dining room chairs, you can revive them with new fabric for about $15 per yard. You can estimate that each seat will use about a yard of fabric.
You will need a screwdriver and a stapler. You can remove the old upholstery by removing the seat from the chair and unscrewing it from the bottom. Next, peel away the old fabric, releasing the staples holding it in place, and then use the old fabric as a pattern to cut out the new piece. You can then wrap the new fabric around the chair seat, staple it to the bottom of the seat, and reattach it to the chair by screwing the seat back on.
Add some bold lighting
Adding a large chandelier can give your room a new look and also improve the lighting quality for about $180. You can also opt for a woven natural fiber fixture for a more airy, botanical feel for about $120. Be sure to turn off the power to the light fixture at the switch before you begin removing the old light fixture and installing the new one. To connect the new chandelier, you will need a screwdriver, as well as wire strippers and nuts .
Add a wet bar
Even if you don’t have room for a wet bar, you can add a bar area to your dining room for tea, coffee or your favorite spirits. A bar cart is one way to add drinks to your dining area for between $60 and $170, but you can also choose a cabinet for around $200 with a countertop with more storage and a larger area for making more complex drinks. Adding a bar is a great opportunity to repurpose vintage and thrifted furniture. An old dresser, desk or console table can easily be converted into a bar area, often for free or cheap.