The dining room is the hub of the home. It’s where we host guests and where delicious meals are served. As a result, the dining room is a space where you can add some real class and sophistication. After all, you have the opportunity to design an intimate place where you’ll gather with close friends, create a wine-drinking hub or form a space the whole family will love. With this in mind, here’s how you can transform your dining room into a luxury space on a budget.
Upcycle your table
Your dining-room table is probably the highest-value item in your dining room. As a result, purchasing a new one in solid wood or ceramic could easily cost you more than £1,000, especially if you’re buying an extendable one.
Due to this, it’s best to work with what you have and upcycle your dining table instead of buying new. If you have a wooden table, giving it a light sand will give it new life. Then, you can stain it to create the finish you require. If it’s slightly damaged, paint it instead. This will easily help cover any blemishes and help it look both luxurious and brand new.
Examine multi-buy deals for chairs
When you buy in bulk, you often get discounts, so when you’re shopping for new dining room chairs, look for somewhere that offers sets of chairs, as this will bring the cost per chair down.
Your dining chairs can be the formal centrepiece of your room, but they don’t need to cost you the earth. Comfort should be your main objective here, as comfy chairs will make guests feel more inclined to stay at your dinner parties. So, think about big cushion pads, chunky arms and velvet touches.
Search high and low for high-end furnishings
High-end items such as gold mirrors, solid-wood decorations and marble statuettes can add a luxurious feel to any room. But designer furnishings such as these can cost a fortune, which is why you have to be thrifty. Rather than shopping in department stores and designer websites, try charity shops, second-hand stores and online marketplaces. These second-hand furnishings will cost you a fraction of the price of the originals and very few people will be able to tell the difference.
Add customisable light
Sophisticated lighting can create a high-quality finish. Options like dimmer switches can create ambience, while scattered lamps around the room can feel upscale. Although it can be tempting to add a large chandelier to the dining room for effect, these often look far better unlit, as the lighting can be far too harsh and sterile. By contrast, warm yellow bulbs in lamps can not only create a welcoming ambience, but individual lamps can be switched on and off to suit your needs. You can have every light on while you’re eating, or just a corner lamp on while you’re relaxing with a drop of red.
Add feature decor
Rather than adding lots of decorative touches to your dining room, instead focus on adding big, bold pieces such as large paintings in chunky frames and canvases.
Luxurious homes are often defined by their minimalism, and adding too many furnishings can make your room feel cluttered and cramped. Plus, statement pieces often make great conversation starters if you’re hosting a dinner party.
If you want to go ultra-minimal, consider adding some DIY wooden panelling and painting it in a statement colour. This will add texture and warmth to your space while making it appear like the dining room of a high-end country home.
Follow these top tips and you’ll have no trouble making your dining room look like a celebrity hotspot. When you’re surrounded by luxurious touches, you may find you spend more time here than your livingroom.
Nina says
adding a plant or two can also revamp an area without a lot of expense