Room for Improvement #6

Lackluster dining room needs three wishes granted for a fairytale ending

The best part about redecorating a room is that it might only take one (or in this case, three) significant improvements to make it spectacular. Whether the space evokes a “meh” or a “messed UP” reaction, the solutions often boil down to very practical and easy changes.

Let’s have some fun trashing and then fixing up this dining room. It was submitted on Reddit by MadLove1348, who asked for suggestions on how to “jazz it up.”

Reddit user MadLove1348’s dining room is sweet, but off the mark in three important ways.

This small formal dining area has nice proportions, situated off the living room as an alcove. It is free of clutter and the natural wood floor and indoor plants are good features.

The Paint

The first unfortunate choice I noticed was the paint. Gray again! I actually love gray but in this room with the warm-toned wood, it is just too sad.

A warmer tone like this one would be a good paint choice. Even better, match it with a trim color that isn’t bright white. (Photo: Tyler Karu)

The shade in the room above looks like khaki or tan, and it goes well with the wood table and floors. Other ideas might include a paint color with a slight peachy undertone, giving a nod to the high-impact painting (more on that later).

Sherwin Williams’ Crisp Linen is part of the yellow family but it registers as a warm peach tone. It’s a good choice for a room that doesn’t have a lot of natural light. (Photo: Lauren Gilberthorpe Interiors)

The Light

My eye then went to the light fixture. Central light fixtures are so important; this one is dated and doesn’t do anything for the space. It’s also too high, in my opinion. First thing to do is to swap out those interrogation LED bulbs. They are probably Daylight color, emitting a bright bluish glare that belongs only in the garage.

How about something like this instead?

This Sky 5 chandelier from Josh & Main is sleek and modern, with a hint of vintage in its mercury glass panels. (Photo: Josh & Main)

Now, chances are good that the person seeking advice is renting. You aren’t so quick to swap out fixtures in a place you don’t own. All I can say is the right light fixture makes a huge difference in a room like this, which doesn’t have a lot of architectural interest. Just remember to put the old one back and bring the fabulous new one with you when you move out.

The Painting

Commenters were fixated on the high-pigment painting of a bridge and sky scene. Mostly along the lines of “can you ditch it?” But when the owner said it was painted for her by a family member and she wanted to keep it, the advice shifted. Two suggestions were very sound, and I agreed 100 percent:

1. The position of the painting is not ideal. It should be lowered by about 3-4 inches so that it hangs at eye-level when you are standing up.

2. Change the frame. The painting is very bright and it doesn’t need a metallic silver frame to get attention. I would consider a natural wood frame, or a matte black frame to tone it down. Frames are an art in themselves and it’s a good idea to pay careful attention to the ones you choose.

Here are a few gorgeous frame ideas:

Rounded corner walnut frame by Woodman Frames

Half-inch walnut “floater” frame by Woodman Frames

The painting might benefit from a thin mat, as shown in this black custom-made frame by Woodman Frames.

If you want this advice arranged in order of expense, it goes like this:

• Rehang the painting

• Switch the lightbulbs

• Repaint the walls and trim

• Reframe the art

• Find a better light fixture

With patience, research, and incremental cash outlay, your problem room wishes can come true!