Before and After: Beige Dining Room

When we relocated from the West Coast, one of the pre-requisites for a new home was that we needed to have an extra bedroom to accommodate working from home for my spouse and I. We opted for more room and taking on several updates over less room but more contemporary. The first room we tackled? Our dining room. So here's the makeover story:

Before:

The original dining room was polite but indistinct — beige walls, warm wood tones, and a traditional brass chandelier created a space that felt serviceable rather than expressive. The palette was flat and monotone, with little contrast to guide the eye or invite lingering. Though well-kept, the room felt suspended in a previous decade, more formal than welcoming, and visually quiet in a way that dulled its presence.

After:

The room was transformed through depth rather than excess. Walls were painted a rich, grey-leaning jewel-toned blue, immediately grounding the space and giving it weight and intimacy. Black accents — from the chairs to the sculptural pendant — introduce contrast and clarity, sharpening the room’s edges. Candlelight replaces overhead glare, softening the atmosphere and shifting the focus to the table itself. Natural textures, layered linens, and restrained place settings turn the dining room into a place meant not just for meals, but for pause, conversation, and ritual.

Result:

What was once neutral and forgettable now feels intentional and lived-in — a dining room with mood, gravity, and warmth. The update doesn’t chase trends; it simply allows the space to speak with confidence. The image above shows our table set for the Thanksgiving holiday. What a difference a little bit of paint, contrast and thoughtful textiles can make!