Dining Room Makeover
New Hardwood Floors
My new Hickory hardwood floors are finished, and I’m excited to share the progress. With a kitchen remodel happening at the same time, things have been busy, but the dining room is finally coming together. It feels great to be at the point where we can put things back and set up living spaces again—fall nesting, here I come!
The Hickory floors have transformed the way the house feels. They bring light, texture, and help create the casual-yet-classy vibe I envisioned. Because we chose prefinished hardwood, installation was quick with minimal dust and disruption, so the turnaround was fast.
I’m thrilled with how the floors look, and the new stairs complement them beautifully. I partnered with Lowe’s on this project, which helped me check another item off my Home Dreams list for the year. Their support made the process easier and helped the project move forward smoothly.
With the floors in, I’ve been refining the style of the house. The carpet had previously limited the look I wanted; removing it opened up new possibilities. I’ve been simplifying furniture and editing rooms so the architecture and finishes can shine. My aim is to bring back only items I truly love and use, while mixing in a few new pieces when it feels right.
Previously the baker’s rack and armoire filled the dining room, but I decided less was more. Removing those large pieces gives the room room to breathe and makes it more inviting for dining and work. We found alternate storage elsewhere in the house, and the white armoire will move to an upstairs bedroom, so nothing is wasted.
To complete the room, I wanted new chairs. I’d been eyeing the woven gray Kooboo armchairs at World Market for a long time. When they finally went on sale, I bought two of the remaining three — the texture and scale are perfect for my smaller dining space. I paired those with two gray metal chairs I also found on sale, creating a mixed look that feels balanced against my existing white table. For extra guests, I can still bring in black metal chairs when needed.
For artwork, I placed an 1800s oil painting on the right wall. Its coastal palette and mood suit the dining area. We purchased the painting from the previous homeowner when we moved in; later research revealed it’s an original from the Impressionist era by an artist who knew Monet, so it has sentimental and historic value.
I also planned to hang a driftwood mirror on the left wall, but after multiple attempts and trouble with the drywall, I decided to add decorative plates instead. The mirror will wait for a future day when tackling it won’t be frustrating. Sometimes finishing the room without perfection is the best choice.
So is my dining room complete now?
Ha ha—are rooms ever truly done when you love tweaking them? I don’t think so. Decorating for me is an evolution rather than a final before-and-after moment. Each year I refine details and make small changes. That’s part of the fun: the room grows with me. It might look different next year, but for now I’m happy with the progress.
The house is evolving into a style that suits me. I love combining natural materials like woven chairs with mixed-metal accents on lanterns and seating. That blend of vintage character and modern edge suits our Craftsman home well.
Still on my to-do list: repaint the dining table, finish the ceiling treatment that needs attention, and paint the baseboards. I also keep my options open for wall color—the current shade (Studio Taupe by Behr) works well, but I may change it in the future as ideas evolve.
Even though there’s more to do, we’ve made significant progress over the past few years. The before photo above shows how much has changed since moving in. The previous look included dated walls, yellowish carpet, and an outdated light fixture—now replaced by a cohesive, inviting space.
This room evolved step by step with small updates over time. Three and a half years of gradual changes brought us to this point.
Here’s a quick recap of the room’s makeover journey:
- I waited 10 months for my old house to sell before moving furniture in.
- I installed an antique stained glass panel to screen an unattractive view.
- I painted the table, chairs, and armoire to brighten and unify mismatched woods.
- I hung temporary curtains carried over from my previous home.
- Right before the holidays we painted the walls Studio Taupe by Behr.
- In February I added a characterful lantern to the room.
- I rearranged furniture, moving the dresser out and bringing in a baker’s rack.
- I updated the seating with new chairs to better fit the space.
- I repurposed blue-and-white curtains to complement the room.
- We removed carpet and installed new Hickory hardwood floors.
- Today we enjoy the new floors, refreshed seating, and a lighter, more inviting dining room.
There you have it—the dining room progress report and before-and-after update. The room continues to evolve, but it’s functional and welcoming now. I’m looking forward to the seasons ahead and to making small improvements over time.
Lantern source: Pottery Barn