How to update dining room furniture: Learn how to take a dull, boring, dark dining room and make it feel cozy, fresh and stylish!
This design lesson applies to any dining room that needs a refresh!
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How to modernize dining room furniture:
How do you modernize an old dining room set?
Do you have dated cherry wood furniture and want to update it?
These are all the ideas I used to update our antique Duncan Phyfe style dining room table and china cabinet!
I hope it gives you inspiration to update your dining room pieces too!
We inherited our antique mahogany dining set which is in good condition but needed updating.
Antique and vintage dining furniture can look really heavy, dark and dreary and make a dining space look dark and heavy too.
Cherry furniture with it’s heavy red tones is dated and ‘bossy’.
5 Design Tricks To Brighten A Dark Room
Using these design tips will add style and flair to traditional furniture and lighten and brighten your dining area.
These dining room ideas can be used to breathe new life and lightness to any type of dining room!
Whether you have a formal dining room or an open concept kitchen/dining area!
Or if your design style is farmhouse, french country, traditional or is a modern aesthetic!
1. Keep, Donate or Sell
The first decision you have to make is if you will keep your traditional dining room furniture or replace it and purchase new pieces.
If the pieces are in bad condition, have scratches or damage that can’t be removed with wood polish, then perhaps it’s time to sell it or donate it.
This also applies to dated fabrics on dining chairs.
Donating the furniture to a family member or friend in need, a women’s shelter or thrift store is a great way to pass it on to someone who wants it.
You can also sell it and put the money into buying new dining room furniture!
When buying new pieces – keep an eye on sales and free shipping promotions for great savings!
If the wood dining room furniture is damaged or a dated stain color (like cherry wood or honey oak), the other option is to paint it.
If it’s in great condition and you want to keep it – read the following design tips for ways you can modernize traditional dining room furniture without getting rid of it.
2. Update Your Wall Paint Color – Quick Way To Update Furniture
Pick a new wall color that will compliment the color of your traditional furniture!
I painted our dining room Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray which is a warm gray color.
It really compliments the wood color of our antique Duncan Phyfe style table and cabinet and updates the room.
White walls are very much on trend right now and can instantly make your traditional dining room furniture look fresh.
Or consider black walls for an elegant, chic look.
If you have dated wallpaper I highly advise you to remove it and paint your walls to update the look.
Top 50 Bestselling Paint Colors At Sherwin Williams
How to Pick Paint Colors With Confidence- Guidelines and Tips!
Shop the look! Click on the images below to shop the items. Scroll using the arrows to see them all!
3. Update The Color Palette
Add more modern neutral hues to your dining room to update the room’s color palette. White, cream, greige, gray and black are beautiful, timeless neutrals that pair really well with traditional styles. Use these colors in your drapery, dinnerware and rug.
Also add contrasting, complimentary accent colors such as navy blue , mid toned blue, pink or dark green in your textiles and art.
How To Make A Marble Table Runner
Shop the look! Click on the images below to shop the items. Scroll using the arrows to see them all!
4. Mix in A Second Design Style
Break up all the formal traditional lines of your dining room set with a second design style that has clean lines.
Modern, transitional and some mid century modern styles pair beautifully with traditional furniture!
Coastal style also can make traditional furniture look less formal and more casual.
5 Ways To Add Coastal Style To Your Home
Contemporary design with a modern look is also gorgeous paired with traditional dining room furniture.
What is contemporary interior design?
Contemporary style embraces minimalistic elements.
Add the second design style in your art, lighting, place settings console table and accent chairs.
5. Fast Way To Update Dining Room Furniture – Break Up The Set
Replace the two host dining room chairs at the ends of the table (or all of the chairs!) with upholstered chairs like these in a contrasting color to break up all the wood tones.
These upholstered dining chairs on castor wheels are also gorgeous and easy to move!
Remove the top hutch and keep the bottom buffet cabinet for storage.
This will give the dining room cleaner lines and a modern update.
You can also buy a new sideboard cabinet and move the bottom buffet cabinet to a home office or craft room to use as storage.
Add 2 or 3 of these gorgoeus fluted wood cabinets to update your old dining table.
This stunning black sideboard cabinet will also update your dining room and provide storage too.
6. New Hardware
Replacing the existing cabinetry hardware, knobs and pulls on a buffet and hutch to instantly give it a fresh makeover!
These updated metal accents will add style and interest to the dining room.
I recommend these gorgeous knobs that come in matte black, brass and nickel finish
Add modern styled hardware in matte black, brass or nickel for an on trend update.
You can also update the existing hardware with spray paint or Rub n Buff.
Don’t forget to mix high shine with satin and matte finishes for interest.
Also don’t forget to add a tassel to a cabinet! Tassels are so on trend right now!
I added an oversized black leather tassel to our cabinet to give it some drama and impact!
7. Area Rug
Infuse coziness to your dining room and make it look inviting by adding a rug.
Adding a contemporary rug like this one will make traditional furniture look more stylish and current.
An easy to clean polypropylene or washable rug with some color and pattern in it is a wise choice considering the food and drink spills that can happen in a dining room.
8. Window Treatments – Instantly Update Dining Room Furniture
Updating your window treatments is a quick way to give traditional dining room furniture a new look and create a welcoming dining experience.
Add pleated drapes or these affordable roman shades.
I love these gorgeous pleated drapes that are so stylish!
Linen or cotton drapes will give your dining room a casual feeling.
If you want to amp up the drama choose silk or velvet curtains.
Woven wood shades will give your traditional dining room furniture a coastal vibe.
In terms of color, I advise my design clients to stay away from window treatments with prints unless you are willing to replace them often, since printed drapes can go out of style quickly.
White or ivory colored drapes are timeless and add a gorgeous neutral layer to a dining room.
Design tip: When hanging your drapes make sure your rod is hung as close to the ceiling as possible, to make your space feel large and airy.
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9. Mirrors
Adding a statement wall mirror above a buffet sideboard will make your small dining room feel larger and add impact and elegance to traditional furniture pieces, especially if you choose a transitional style mirror.
A mirror will also add a beautiful focal point
10. Wall Art
Add some neutral wall art to decorate a dining room and modernize traditional furniture.
For instance, I made this quick and easy framed DIY marble art to our dining room and love how it adds a more contemporary look!
Adding one large scale art piece or creating a gallery wall of prints is another beautiful way to add a fresh new look.
Stay away from adding one or two small prints to each wall because that will make your dining room feel cluttered and dated.
On another wall I added these fun gold sea urchin wall sculptures – I love the impact they give our dining room!
11. Add potted trees and flowers
Always, always, always add greenery or flowers to a dining room to breath life into it and give it that designer look!
A real or faux olive tree is a great way to fill an empty corner in your living room.
Adding fresh or faux flowers in a vase to the table and console table is a great way to add a pop of color and greenery!
12. Centerpiece
A quick way to update your dining room furniture is to add a floral centerpiece to the center of your dining room table.
How to make your dining table look more modern?
Add this gorgeous DIY Marble Table Runner!
It’s so easy to make!
I also love using a contemporary vases to modernize the table, like this white geometric style.
You can also use a small white plant pot as a vase!
During the summer I love using flowers from my backyard flower garden but in the winter I usually use flowers from the grocery store.
Make sure your centerpiece is not too tall so it doesn’t block your guests views across the table.
How To Make A Simple DIY Floral Centerpiece
This floral centerpiece was so quick and easy to make using:
- one bunch of eucalyptus, I love seeded eucalyptus and silver dollar eucalyptus
- one bunch of pale pink roses
- one bunch of white and pink Peruvian Lily (alstroemeria) flowers
- (or buy this bouquet of roses and alstromeria )
- a white vase
That’s it! These inexpensive grocery store flowers look like so expensive and luxurious paired together in a white vase!
These flowers last a long time too!
(When the roses are done – make this amazing DIY rose sugar scrub with the petals!)
How To Make A Marble Table Runner
13. Bar Cart To Update Dining Room Furniture
In my opinion every dining room needs a bar cart or bar cabinet!
They are so gorgeous and fun to style and display liquors and glassware!
I love decorating mine for the holidays too!
A bar cart will instantly give your traditional furniture a fresh look – plus it offers more storage too and we all need as much storage as we can get in our homes!
See my DIY marble bar cart top and shelf refresh!
There are actually so many ways you can use a bar cart in a home – they are so multi-tasking and functional!!
15 Creative Ways To Use and Style A Bar Cart!
14. Candles & Candle Holders
I’m obsessed with candles!
I love using wax taper candles and pillar candles, but I especially love using these battery operated flickering flame candles – they are so realistic!
Plus they have timers so you can time them to automatically turn on at dusk to add ambiance and make a dining room feel cozy.
Candles and candle holder accessories make traditional furniture look elegant, classy and inviting!
I also love using votive candle holders to add extra shimmer and ambiance.
15. Table Linens
Add a table runners to your table to add texture, visual warmth and style.
Mine are 14″ wide by 60″ long like this table runner.
Use a classic white runner or a contemporary pattern.
I love adding a table runner to my dining table to connect the middle table settings! This lets you skip placemats too!
Napkins are also a gorgeous way to infuse color and texture to a traditional dining set.
This stunning white cloth napkin with fringe is perfect for everyday, for Christmas, Thanksgiving and for more formal dinner parties
Adding some beaded napkin rings or these chic fabulous napkin rings also update traditional dining furniture!
Don’t overlook the power of these accent pieces.
They all add to a well rounded, layered dining room that’s inviting and one you LOVE to be in and entertain in!
16. Dinnerware, Flatware & Glassware
Select dinnerware, glassware and flatware to make your traditional furniture pop. You can never go wrong with classic white. Adding a pop of color with printed salad plates is a way to add style too.
I love using timeless white dinnerware to lighten and brighten our dining room furniture!
I love layering contemporary glasses to my table settings – they are so fun and add gorgeous glam style.
And this chic Mikasa flatware has such a classic look! I love the timeless pattern!
This flatware goes with everything.
Mixing metallics is a hot design trend this year so don’t be afraid to mix gold, brass, matte black, silver, nickel and silver together.
17. Light Fixtures To Update Dining Room Furniture
Lighting is the jewelry of the room and really sets the mood!
I added alarge drum pendant to our dining room to update the furniture.
Modern pendants and linear pendants are all gorgeous ways to update traditional dining room furniture!
Replace a traditional crystal chandelier with something more transitional or contemporary to update the whole look.
Add transitional or battery operated modern wall sconces if you have the wall space.
When you add new items such as new lighting and a new rug to your dining space it’s instantly updated!
Design Tip – How to Pick the Perfect Chandelier Size and Printable Size Guide
Adding new colors and textures will add depth and interest to the dining room.
I hope you like my design tips on how to update a dining room and dining room design ideas!!
Shop these beautiful furniture and decor items to update your dining room!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to update cherry dining room furniture?
To update cherry dining room furniture, consider painting it a lighter color, such as white, gray, or cream, to modernize the look (don’t forget to use a primer!)
I recommend an alkyd paint that will give it durability and a hardwearing finish.
Additionally, you can update the wall paint color, add neutral hues to the color palette, mix in a second design style, and incorporate contemporary accessories like mirrors, artwork, and lighting.
Finally, consider breaking up the set by replacing some chairs or adding a modern area rug to give your dining room a fresh and stylish feel.
How to update a cherry dining table?
I recommend painting it black or white.
How to update an old dining room?
Replace some of the dining furniture pieces with new pieces is the quickest way to update an old dining room.
Painting the walls and adding a new rug will also create a new look.
What color is best for a dining area?
Here are lots of beautiful wall color ideas:
Top 50 Bestselling Paint Colors At Sherwin Williams.
I recommend either a dark, rich moody color or a neutral white or beige paint color.
Green colors also look beautiful in a dining room.
How to make a dining table look nice?
Add a vase of flowers or add a few votive candle holders.
A couple of candle holders will make a dining table look beautiful too.
How to jazz up an old table?
Refinish it to remove scratches and marks.
Or paint it a beautiful fresh white, black or cream color.
Add new dining chairs will also make an old table look new.
How to update old fashioned furniture?
Update old pieces with paint.
Add a new transitional, modern or contemporary furniture piece or two to update the room.
Adding new drapes and a new rug will make old fashioned furniture look new again.
What is a good centerpiece for a dining room table?
Adding a beautiful white vase filled with faux greenery or fresh florals is a beautiful centerpiece idea.
Add candle holders – either taper candle holders or pillar candle holders.
Votive candles add extra shimmer and shine when placed down the middle of a table.
What to do with an old dining room set?
You can use the dining table as a office desk or office work table.
A dining table can also be used in a craft room or as a games table in a family room or basement living area.
What can I transform my dining room into?
You don’t have to keep your dining room as a dining space!
If you want to modernize the area then use your dining room as a sitting area by adding 2-4 armchairs.
You can also turn your dining room into a home office! Use your dining table as a desk and add a comfortable chair. Add a couple of beautiful bookshelves or etageres and style the shelves in a aesthetically pleasing way.
A dining table will give you lots of work space!
How do you beautify a dining room?
Add a stunning rug, art, mirrors, a real or artificial tree in a basket, gorgeous lighting and beautiful decor.
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Heather is a Designer, True Color Expert® and proud military wife at 
I have the same style dining table and I love the chairs you’ve put with it so much, I’m considering doing the same. My question though is this……when you extend the table for large entertaining, what chairs do you use for additional seating? My table has 2 leaves that add 4 additional guests and currently I use upholstered card table chairs, not too pretty but functional.
Also, do you have any sources for similar dining chairs that are more budget friendly?
Thank you
Laura
Hi Laura –
I use the two chairs that I have beside the buffet for extra seating at the table. When not in use they sit beside the buffet table as you can see in the pictures. These chairs that I have in my kitchen dining nook are a cheaper and on sale right now: https://rstyle.me/+J3OpAaRsu2jvRqXKaZX5Hw
Where did you get the marble slab under the flowers?
I love the dining chairs that you have shown in the Dining room pics, can you please let me know where to buy these?
Thanks.
Hi Aneeta! Thank you for your compliments! I love them too! You can buy them with my affiliate link here: https://rstyle.me/+QaOlQu8BPUNe7XVLJ_j8AQ I hope that helps!
The link opens up the World Market home page and I didn’t find these chairs there. Can you please provide me the direct link of the chairs, I will really appreciate it.
Thank you.
Hi Aneeta – sorry about that! I fixed all the links in the blog post. Here is the link to the chairs (mine are the natural linen color)! https://rstyle.me/+nEyh9gjlQej0boE5DV0vAQ
Gorgeous ideas!! Thanks for sharing!
I love this room! Would love to know your thoughts on decorating above the China buffet. I believe I just see two white pots on yours I feel like mine needs something…
Hello Amy – I have a few ironstone tureens on the top of mine. Hope that helps!
Your Tom is beautiful! I have a similar dining table and have settled for a neutral tablecloth to lighten the space. What did you use on your table as your white “base” ? I thought perhaps it was a custom cut table pad.
Can you tell me what is the white thing you used to top the table? It is an interesting way to lighten the room without a heavy tablecloth. It isnt just the table pad is it? It would be quite odd to leave that exposed when entertainin.g
I love this! I bought similar chairs after viewing this and got two vertical pictures to hang on each side, like yours. I don’t know how high to hang them because I have buffet table without the china cabinet. I have a large round mirror in its place. Where should I hang the pictures in relation to the round mirror- even at the top, taller than the top of the mirror, or under the top of the mirror? Any suggestions?
Thank you!
Wonderful – I’m so glad you were inspired! It depends on how big your mirror is and the size of your pictures, but try and balance all three items! Hope that helps!
Is the top of your table painted or is it something you made to protect the top?
I love love this timeless mix of old and new! I am trying to recreate! Is the table top surface white in color? I couldn’t tell if there was a reflection and it was really brown wood? If so did you somehow create the white top?
I assume you made the marble panel on the table with the contact paper? Genius!
Thank you for sharing!
Love the updated look of your dining room! I am interested in the white surface to your table top. Is it a table pad and do you have a source for it? I would love to add this to my very dark dining room. Thanks so much!
Hi Heather, what size table runners did you use?
They are 14″ wide x 60″ long! 🙂
Hi! Love this…beautiful! What is the white top on the table?
Heather,
Love all the hints for changing the dining area. I was about to purchase all my dining room furniture until I came across all your ideas. I will be purchasing two fabric dining chairs, removing the hutch, adding artwork above the buffet, changing the hardware, lighting and area rug, and adding runners to the table.
I am also curious about the white element under the runners on the table. It looks stunning with the white on white. Please share this additional secret. Thanks for all the great ideas!
I too am curious about whatever is covering the entire table underneath the mats and stone runner. It really helps to tone down the dark but looks elegant as well. Love the other ideas and have started on making the art work.
Hi Heather.
I am hoping you will answer the questions about what you have covering your table too! I inherited my parents’ traditional dining table and china hutch. Your ideas are great, but I have been struggling with the table as the finish is just so delicate, and table cloths cover up the pretty detail of the table edge and the legs. Your cover seems to be cut to size? Is it fabric or some other material? I’d love to know pleeeeeease!
The advice in this article is so helpful. I read it twice trying to find what you have on the top of the table, whether it’s fabric or some other design hack I’ve never seen before. Please give us info on this…it’s a perfect fix.
Same here – what’s on the table?
Can you confirm if the chairs are a cream or grey color?
They are a beautiful cream color! 🙂
Hi Heather, can you please tell me also, the table top white underneath the marble and white table mats. It looks cut to perfection is it painted or is it pads table pads? Can you please tell me as the others I would love to do this thank you.