FEATURE

• Give the room an instantly clean feeling with a fresh coat of paint. Dramatic colors work well in a dining room so don’t be afraid to try something such as Glidden’s relaxed and cozy Wreath of Green or the bright and lively Cranberry Zing. Behr’s regal French Pale Gold or deep Sugar Plum are other color options.
• Pick up the colors of your walls by laying a complementary multi-patterned area rug over bare wood floors for a touch of warmth.
• Add mood lighting with candles in tall candlesticks. Look for interesting textures and finishes, such as dark wood, metal or mother-of-pearl.
• Hang a sparkling chandelier. The larger your dining room and table, the larger your chandelier should be.
• Install a dimmer switch to customize lighting levels.
• Group hurricane lanterns as an alternative centerpiece, or line smaller sizes along the length of the table to illuminate everyone’s place setting.

• Use a wine butler or bar cart to add convenience as well as style, and top it off with a stainless-steel wine bucket and bar accessories.
• Replace dated-looking art with new pieces, or reframe your existing art. If your dining room has a fireplace, prop a large print or photograph on the mantel for an unfussy approach.
• Hang a large mirror to reflect light and to give the illusion of a larger room, or group a series of smaller mirrors to create an interesting take on the gallery wall.
• Add a chest of drawers in the same color family as your table to keep storage for linens, tableware and flatware close at hand. Use a glass-front cabinet to display collections and store your stemware.

Looking for more inspired and affordable ideas? Read Luxe for Less.