How to Update Your Dining Room
The meal is hot, delicious, and lovingly prepared… but unfortunately, the space you’re dining in is feeling bland and stale! Whether your dining space needs a refresh or a complete makeover, updating this central gathering area can be an exciting and rewarding project. But how do you breathe new life into a dining room that’s seen better days?
If you hate your current space and are wondering how to update an old dining room, here are some budget-friendly tips for refreshing it.
Start By Updating Your Dining Room Decor
Declutter your decor.
Whether you buy into the on-trend minimalist aesthetic or not, decluttering your dining room is an easy way to make it feel more intentional, calm, and cohesive. Plus, starting this makeover with a thorough decluttering allows you to see the dining room as a blank canvas, ready for whatever direction you want to take it.
Add or swap out your rug.
A great rug can create balance, harmony, and a general feeling of warmth in your dining room. In an open floor plan, a rug can visually outline the space, separating it from other areas of your home. With endless colors, shapes, and patterns to choose from, a new rug can pack a powerful punch when transforming a room.
Update your light fixtures.
Nothing shows a room’s age quite like outdated light fixtures. Updating these pieces is another relatively simple step in modernizing your dining room, whether that means switching from builder-grade fixtures to something more eye-catching and unique or upgrading from small pendants to an oversized chandelier.
Get thrifty for one-of-a-kind decor pieces.
Never underestimate the gems you can find at the thrift store! Once you’ve got a vision for your dining room, check out your local second-hand shops for uncommon and affordable decor pieces. These stores are often filled with candleholders, frames, vases, and other small touches—all within budget. And remember, it’s not only OK to mix and match while you’re decorating but encouraged!
Enhance Your Overall Dining Room Aesthetic
Modern aesthetics are all about creating an inviting atmosphere that feels open and airy. This is key when thinking about how to update an old dining room. The goal is to balance style and functionality without overcrowding the space. To achieve this, you’ll want to focus on the tips below.
Embrace a new paint color or wallpaper.
One of the biggest ways to update your dining room is with a new paint color or wallpaper. These choices can change the entire vibe or aesthetic of a room—just consider the difference between a moody deep blue color and a light, sunny yellow. Wallpaper can instantly change the mood and style of a room, whether you opt for a bold pattern or subtle texture.
Prioritize arrangement and flow.
Start by ensuring that your dining table is the focal point. Arrange the furniture to create a natural flow that encourages movement and interaction. If your room is small, consider placing the dining set near natural light sources, such as windows or sliding doors, to create an airy, open atmosphere. Avoid overcrowding the table with too many items; instead, focus on simple yet thoughtful décor, such as a sleek vase, a small bowl of fruit, or a few candles.
Hang up new curtains.
Curtains add both beauty and functionality to a space, and they can be done quite easily and affordably. Colorful, patterned curtains can serve as a statement piece, while curtains positioned above the windows can instantly add height to a room. Sheer, silk curtains can make a dining room feel airy and bright, while heavier, floor-skimming curtains can create feelings of elegance and grandeur.
Add depth to the space with a mirror.
Are you struggling with a dining room that feels cramped? Adding a mirror to your wall can create the illusion of a bigger space, especially when positioned strategically across from a window or light fixture so it can reflect light. Mirrors come in all shapes and sizes, meaning you can easily tailor them to the aesthetic you’re going for.
Tackle Your Dining Room Furniture Last
Upcycle the dining room pieces you already own.
If you have a penchant for DIY projects and want to know how to make an old dining table look modern, consider upcycling your current (or thrifted!) pieces. Reupholster those torn, faded upholstered chairs or embrace a dining room table makeover with some grit sandpaper and a paintbrush. Even small upcycling tweaks–like replacing the hardware on the hutch or buffet table–can help bring your dining room into a more modern aesthetic.
Transform the space with new dining room chairs.
Speaking of mixing and matching… who says you need to stick with those outdated, worn-out chairs that came with your dining table? Swapping out your current seating with a more modern dining chair option is a great way to refresh the space without overhauling the entire thing.
Upgrade your entire dining room set with a rent-to-own option.
Not into salvaging or updating your current dining room set? Sometimes furniture simply reaches an expiration date. Fortunately, there are budget-friendly options to replace it. With rent-to-own dining room sets, you can fully furnish or update your dining room. Plus, you won’t have to sacrifice quality or the gorgeous, modern vision you’ve got in mind.
Stop By Rent-A-Center for A Complete Dining Room Overhaul
Thinking about a dining room refresh? Now that you’ve learned how to update old dining room furniture, find everything you need with Rent-A-Center’s latest collection of dining room furniture sets. From contemporary dining tables and stylish chairs to sleek decorative elements, Rent-A-Center makes it easy to update your dining room and enjoy a fresh, modern space. Shop online or at your nearest location now!