Help Design the Dining Room

I need your help! We built this house in 2008. We just recently got a dining room set. Prior to this, a (different) hutch and small breakfast table were in our dining room. We almost never ate there.

Our dining room set is not new, and not exactly our style, but it definitely works. Knowing we would not buy a dining room set for a few more years (but needing the additional seating at times), when friends offered this set, we said yes.

However, our dining room is not decorated. I'm wondering if anyone would like to offer suggestions. As of now, we are planning to add crown molding and chair rail to the walls. I have no ideas for colors. The rest of our first floor (except the powder room) is a taupe color that changes with the lighting. It appears green, brown, or gray, depending upon the lighting conditions. It's perfect for us.

As you can see, we have maroon curtains in the dining room. They don't need to be replaced, but the room's design is not based upon the curtains. We're willing to change them.


This is a very small dining room with little wall space. A double window is on one wall. The opposite wall has a doorway to the powder room, the makeshift mudroom, and the kitchen. The wall opposite the (very large) hutch has an entranceway, as you can see below.
How would you design and decorate this room with the crown molding and chair rail? Paint colors? Wall decor? More?

I thought my husband and I preferred traditional and comfortable furniture and decorations, but I'm not sure that's really a decorating style. According to BHG's quiz, my style of decorating is country. Real Simple made me lean toward cozy casual. We have strong feelings against modern decor.

One of the downsides to our dining room is that it is carpeted. Since it is carpeted, I do not want to use it daily with three young children. We will not be changing the flooring any time soon.

Thanks for sharing your ideas!
~ Annette
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12 comments

  1. Love the potential here!! You can always update your beautiful china cabinet with paint or a dark stain. I think wainscotting, paint and little decor additions would be perfect!

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  2. Do you have pictures of the rest of your home? Or a pinterest board with rooms you like? This room has great potential!

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    1. Hmm. I guess we don't really have pictures of the rooms. And no...no pinterest board of inspiration. That's a good idea!

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  3. Hi, Annette

    Great bone and so many great ideas. You need to create a inspiration board for sure.

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  4. Since you will not be using it often or to eat in with your young children, I would suggest removing the table cloth and add a larger decor piece on the table. I love your white plates in the china cabinet, I think they are classic and go with everything.

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    1. A larger centerpiece is a good idea! The plates are rather classic in style. :)

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  5. I've painted several pieces of furniture, using chalk paint, milk paint, and even latex paint (though you'd have to prep the pieces first). Do you like painted furniture?

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    1. I'm more open to painted furniture than my husband. BUT being that this was a free set, it is a possibility. We have a lot of handmade furniture in the house...and those we don't want to paint, but the dining set may be different.

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    2. I love painted furniture but understand other people don't. Since your pieces were free, though, they're great candidates! 😉. I shared pictures of my painted pieces on my blog, if you're interested.

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  6. Keep the cabinet and have it repainted Annette. Honestly I am not a big fan of your dining room chandelier. The silver I think is the conflict with the traditional china hutch. I'm excited to see the transformed room and looking forward to it.

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  7. Since the hutch will likely be replaced in a couple of years we likely won't replace the chandelier...I wouldn't have even have thought of it, but you're right. They don't go together. Thanks, Lisa!!

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