How to Update a Dining Room on a Budget

The dining room is where the family sits down to dinner and entertains guests, but so many people avoid updating this room because they are working with a tight budget. This is a mistake. Updating a dining room does not mean you have to spend a fortune. There are a few key things you can do to update this room that will not break the bank.

Remove Old Wallpaper

Removing wallpaper and painting is a very inexpensive way to update a space. So if you have old wallpaper on your dining room walls, it is time to remove it. Wallpaper can be nice, but only if it is up to date. So go ahead and take down that old floral pattern and paint the walls a fresh modern color. Your dining room will feel years younger.

Paint the Table

Give your dining room table a fresh coat of paint. Most tables are dated by the finish of the wood and not by the style itself. So find a neutral color that will appeal to your eye and start painting. Just make sure you apply a protective coating so the paint job will last for years to come.

Cover the Chairs

Once your table has been painted, it is time to turn your attention to the chairs. Though you could just paint your dining room chairs the same color as the table, a much easier option is to just cover them with slipcovers. For just $15 a piece, these slip covers can make any old chair feel brand new. Or for an even cheaper alternative, buy a few twin size flat sheets at $3 per sheet and make your own slip covers.

Update the Lighting

Next, turn your attention to the lighting in the room. If you have it in the budget, purchase a cheap light fixture on clearance for around $50. With some smart shopping this low price is entirely possible. However is just don't have the money for a new fixture, just give your old chandelier a coat of metallic spray paint and change out the old shades with inexpensive new ones. This will give the look of an all new light fixture for much less than the cost of a new one.

Create Art

If the artwork on your walls is begging to be retired, go ahead and do it. You can replace that artwork on any budget by creating your own. Get a few picture frames and stretch some inexpensive fabric over it. Then buy some inexpensive fabric paint and create simple designs on each one, keeping a similar theme and color. For instance, paint several circles of different sizes on each canvas using the same three colors. Once your art is created, hang the art together so it feels like a much larger piece. With some smart shopping this project can be done for around $10. Not too bad for original art work.Giving your dining room an updated new look does not have to cost a lot of money. With these inexpensive updates you can make your dining room one that you would be proud to have guests in. So start taking down that wallpaper and making those slip covers. You will soon have an updated dining room that you did not spend a fortune on.