Dress up a plain drum shade with ribbon. A subtle gray-blue ribbon accents the shade in this dining room, complementing the wall color. Choose a bolder hue, such as turquoise or fuchsia, to create more contrast and add a pop of color. Design by HGTV fan tgr3gory.

Paint Your Walls

Add interest and pattern to your walls with a striped paint treatment. For this dining room, HGTV fan creativelydreaming uses leftover paint from her living room makeover to take her dining room walls from boring to beautiful.

Update Lighting

Modernize your dining room with industrial-style lighting. Balance their streamlined look by combining the lighting with natural furnishings, like distressed wood tables and wicker chairs. Design by HGTV fan Rethink Design Studio.

Add Slipcovers

Tired of your chairs? Slipcovers are an easy solution for changing the look of any upholstered chair. For added sophistication, have slipcovers made with your monogram. Design by HGTV fan ebonie.

Display a Collection

Make a style statement by displaying a favorite collection of dishes. HGTV fan Tetbury paints the hallway leading up to the dining room a deep blue, perfectly accenting her vintage Staffordshire dish grouping.

Create a Stunning Ceiling

Don't forget the fifth wall – the ceiling. Add architectural details, paint a unique design or do both, like HGTV fan CasaSmithDesigns, who creates an Old World-inspired ceiling with rustic beams and custom artwork in muted primary hues.

Go all out With Lighting

Eye-catching chandeliers are the hallmark of a well-designed dining room. HGTV fan matq dresses up this contemporary space with a glamorous chandelier.

Eclectic Seating

Mix and match your seating. Turn a nook into a cozy, casual dining area with banquette seating and even a wingback chair. Design by HGTV fan TABCAD

Be Creative

Make a statement in your dining room with bold, complementary colors like pink and green. In this dining room designed by Shelly Riehl David, the bright, patterned draperies, contrasted with an enameled walnut credenza and gilded buffet lamps celebrate a creative style.

Update With Wallpaper

It's not your grandmother's wallpaper anymore. Today's wallpaper options range from updated florals to cool graphics, like the geometric print designer Brian Patrick Flynn used in this dining room.

Combine Patterns

Ikat chairs and modern floral wallpaper live harmoniously in this contemporary dining room. Designer Kate Ridder combined the loud patterns with robin's egg blue to ground the space.

Add Coziness

Bring elegance and warmth to your dining room with an ornate area rug. Designer Ron Nathan incorporated hand-painted wallpaper, floor-to-ceiling draperies and an intricate China cabinet for an extra luxurious touch.

Personalize Your Space

Find something that's uniquely you and display front and center like designer Jennifer Dyer did with the horse mural. A transitional buffet has a high-contrast finish that fits with the room's crisp, up-to-date aesthetic, and a comfy upholstered arm chair is an unexpected touch at the head of the table.

Add Natural Elements

Bring life to your dining area with houseplants. Succulents are easy to care for and make the perfect centerpiece year-round.