A few months ago, we bought a classic New England cape—full of charm, solid bones… and plenty of fixer-upper quirks. From the start, we knew we wanted to make this home our own, but without breaking the bank. That meant coming up with budget-friendly renovation ideas and DIY-ing our way through each space. After finishing our first project (our half bathroom makeover), we jumped straight into the dining room.

When we moved in, the dining room wasn’t exactly the warm, welcoming space I had envisioned. Picture this: green walls above an old chair rail, a corner built-in hutch, shutter doors and a large dated light fixture. It definitely didn’t scream warm and inviting.

In a hurry? Shop my dining room here.

Loloi x Amber Lewis Rug // Dining Table // Spindle Back Chairs // Mid-Century Modern Black Sideboard // Black Storage Cabinet // Wavy Mirror // Wireless Wall Sconces // Pasture Framed Wall Art // Cream Empire Shade // Studio McGee Large Table Lamp // Scalloped Wooden Box // Wood and Brass Shelves // Small Road Framed Wall Art // Brass Chandelier // Flameless Ivory Taper Candles // Cabbage Taper Candle Holder // Lead-Free Ceramic Dinnerware Set // Glass Jars with Cork Balls // Linen Cream Stoneware Canister // Wooden Canister //

Planning Our DIY Dining Room Makeover

The first step in this DIY dining room project was mapping out wainscoting to install below a new chair rail. We headed to Lowe’s for trim and panels that gave us a classic, custom look—without the custom price tag.

Back at home, we tackled the corner built-in. Once my husband ripped it out, he patched and sanded the walls to give us a clean slate. Then came the fun part—installing the wainscoting and painting. Since removing the doors we used this dust barrier hack to keep the mess inside and the kids out of the renovation area.

We chose a soft, bright white paint color that instantly opened up the room and gave it a timeless feel. Eventually, I’d love to add wallpaper for some extra personality, but for now, the fresh white walls completely transformed the space.

Finding the Perfect Dining Room Rug

With two young kids, I knew I needed something practical. A fancy rug in the dining room would have been a disaster waiting to happen (mealtimes are messy!). I searched high and low for a washable dining room rug that was affordable, easy to clean, and still stylish. The one I found has the prettiest, enduring pattern and has already been such a lifesaver.

Dining Room Furniture That Works for Our Family

Our dining room is on the smaller side so I wanted to be intentional about the furniture in here, I went with an oval dining table that comfortably seats six—and we can squeeze in eight when needed for bigger gatherings. Here’s a similar one to mine that is smaller and less expensive. The oak wood tone adds warmth to the room, and I paired it with walnut spindle-back chairs for contrast.

Storage was also a must. I found a mid-century modern sideboard with two soft-close cabinets and three full-glide drawers—hello, hidden storage for kids’ games, puzzles, and art supplies! I can’t wait to organize everything inside.

Layering in Lighting for Warmth

One of my favorite ways to make a room feel cozy is by layering in different light sources. Instead of relying only on overhead lighting, I like to mix in table lamps and sconces to create that warm, inviting glow. For this dining room, I found the most stunning chandelier—it nods to a classic design but with a slim, modern twist that feels fresh. On the sideboard, I added a simple yet beautiful table lamp for extra ambiance (switched out the lamp shade), and to finish it off, I hung a pair of pretty wireless sconces by the kitchen entrance. They add just the right touch of charm while making the space feel layered and welcoming.

Adding Character With Decor

One of my favorite pieces in the room is the oversized mirror with a wavy scallop frame—it makes such a statement while bouncing light around the space. We also tucked our coffee bar setup into one corner, and the faux marble top ties in beautifully with both the oak table and black sideboard.

Now, I’m slowly layering in cozy touches like wall art and seasonal Fall decor to make the room feel even more inviting.

Dining Room Before and After

This dining room glow-up feels like such a big step forward from where we started. The green walls and dated details are long gone, and in their place we now have a fresh, bright, and cozy gathering space that works perfectly for our family.

This makeover is proof that you don’t need a huge budget to create a dining room you love—sometimes, simple updates like wainscoting, paint, and the right furniture can make all the difference.

Want more cozy, budget-friendly makeover ideas? Check out my DIY half bathroom reveal here.

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