Hey there! It’s been a while since I shared an update on our dining room. I’ve posted small updates as we went, but today I wanted to gather everything in one place and show the progress we’ve made since moving in.
We still have more plans for the future, but I’m so pleased with how much more inviting this room feels now. Let’s revisit where we started and walk through what we’ve changed so far.
The room had great light and a nice view from the window, but it didn’t feel cohesive. The window and light were off center, the doorway to the kitchen felt small, and the floors had a very orange, shiny finish. They’ve mellowed a bit over time, though we still plan to refinish them someday.
Since this isn’t a large formal dining room, we embraced a cozier breakfast-room vibe. We kept the changes thoughtful and modest to suit the space and our budget.
One of the first updates was installing a planked wood wall on the right side to add architectural interest and conceal a doorbell we didn’t intend to use. We’ll add wider baseboards later, but the planked wall already makes a big difference.
The room is painted Simply White by Benjamin Moore. We tried many other colors, but this clean white worked best with the room’s natural light and architecture.
Because our table didn’t fit comfortably centered—leaving no clear walking path—we moved it under the window to create a banquette-style layout. It immediately felt brighter and more inviting.
We found a pinstriped upholstered dining bench that works perfectly for the banquette. It fits under the window sill, seats several people, and strikes the right balance between firm and comfortable.
Our bench is the Bristol Bench in 72 inches with the Navy Vintage Ticking Stripe fabric. It provides the cozy, lived-in look we wanted while remaining practical for daily use.
Good Housekeeping woven wood shades in Bali Abaca (shades partially lowered in photos)
To manage afternoon glare we installed cordless, lined woven shades. They give great texture, and when fully raised they don’t block the window at all. We mounted them outside the window frame for a cleaner look and easier installation.
We paired the shades with a long black curtain rod and printed curtain panels to add personality and warmth. Curtain panels help the window feel more substantial and are an easy way to change the room’s look later.
We kept the budget modest by mixing existing furniture with a few new pieces. Our table is old and familiar—oval, expandable, and full of family memories—so it stayed. The rattan chairs are from a previous dining room and the low backs work well with the banquette. The vintage cane end chairs belong to my daughter and are on loan.
We added an ombre beaded light fixture for color and a coastal touch. To avoid costly rewiring and keep flexibility, we hung it from a ceiling hook and looped the cord, which gives a relaxed, intentional look.
The banquette side balances with a buffet cabinet against the planked wall. A seagrass rug grounds the area and ties the seating together while adding natural texture.
A major visual change was rounding the doorway into an arch. We couldn’t enlarge the opening during the kitchen remodel, but the soft curve transformed the transition between rooms. We left the dining-room side untrimmed to keep the look simple and consistent with other openings in the house.
Kitchen tour and before/after
I love the character the arched doorway adds to the dining room, and it echoes a second rounded opening in the kitchen, which feels cohesive and intentional.
Overall, these relatively simple changes have made a big impact. The room feels more comfortable and purposeful, and for now it’s “done enough,” even if I know I’ll keep tweaking over time.
Do you tend to decorate in phases? My home is always evolving, but I enjoy when a room finally feels finished enough to enjoy—at least for a while.
Room sources:
Bristol Bench from Ballard Designs (Navy Vintage Ticking Stripe) – available in multiple fabrics and sizes
Blue and white dishes – Ballard Designs Bunny Williams Campbell House Dinnerware Collection
Seagrass rug
Ombre beaded light fixture (similar options available in multiple sizes)
Glass door cabinet in antique taupe
Rattan chairs (or similar alternatives)
Gray and white striped pillow covers
Rattan shelf – flea market find
Framed art: Crane and Peacock illustrated prints
Navy curtains
Wall color: Simply White by Benjamin Moore
Woven shades: Bali Abaca woven wood shades
