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This dining room and kitchen makeover shows how paint, flooring, updated cabinets, and a few personal touches can transform a home. When Laura and Todd bought their first house, the shared dining, kitchen, and living area was mostly decorated in brown and beige. The rooms were later refreshed with a brighter palette and furnishings suited to their style.
Dining room and kitchen makeover: the before and after
After purchasing the house, Laura spent three months moving in and working on renovations while Todd was away on a three-month tour. The design decisions were discussed beforehand, and the finished spaces offered a substantial change from the home’s original look.
The original tile was replaced with dark, wide-board maple flooring. Dark floors can make a room feel grounded, but dust and small marks may be more visible, so they can require frequent sweeping. Laura felt the look was worth the extra upkeep.
White paint on the trim and doors helped create a crisp contrast. For the connected dining, kitchen, and living area, Laura chose Valspar’s pale mint shade Sprinkle. Because the space has windows on only one side, the light wall color helped keep the room feeling bright.
Personal details in the dining area
A studded side table adds a distinctive accent to the room. Using one unusual piece can give a space character without making every furnishing compete for attention.
The dining room’s large mural wallpaper became another defining feature. Todd was enthusiastic about the idea, making the bold wall treatment a shared choice rather than a surprise project.
Laura and Todd made their own version of a dining table after seeing Elsie’s table. They selected a darker stain and brushed-steel legs to suit their preferred look. It was their first woodworking project, and the finished table works with mid-century-inspired dining chairs from TOO by Blu Dot and a bright cowhide rug.
The dining nook is used often for meals, especially brunch. When planning a small eating area, consider how the table, chairs, and rug fit together, as well as how much room is needed to pull out chairs comfortably.
Brightening the kitchen
The kitchen also received a major refresh. Laura painted the cabinets white to make the room feel lighter and added modern door hardware. Changing cabinet hardware is a relatively focused update; measure existing holes before choosing replacements to make installation easier.
A DIY rope rug found a place on the kitchen floor, where the household cats like to lounge while dinner is prepared. For any kitchen rug, choose a location that does not obstruct walkways or work areas.
Blue stools, given to Laura and Todd by Laura’s sister for their first Christmas in the house, add a cheerful accent at the counter. A small, colorful furnishing can introduce contrast without requiring another major renovation.
Above the sink, Laura created a gallery wall featuring cat artwork. The upper-left print is by Wesley Bird, while the other prints were made by Laura; the grey cat in the lower-left print is Charlie. Placing artwork where it can be enjoyed during everyday tasks makes practical areas feel more personal.
What this dining room and kitchen makeover shows
This dining room and kitchen makeover combines brighter paint, updated flooring, refreshed cabinets, and personal details to reshape a connected living space. The most useful takeaway is to balance appearance with everyday upkeep: dark flooring may need more sweeping, while light colors can help a room with limited windows feel brighter. Laura’s home tour continues with a closer look at the rest of the house. — Laura
