We’re officially moving in this week! It feels like so long ago that we found our house and closed on it, but the wait will have absolutely been worth it.
It’s been so nice to be with family these first few weeks with a newborn, but we’re all ready to be in our own place and really get settled into life in Denver.
One room that I’m really excited to get working on is our dining room, mostly because this is one space that I think I have a pretty clear vision for. Our dining room is not huge, so I don’t want to go crazy in there, but I want it to feel cozy, welcoming and a happy spot to entertain friends and family.
I’m dying to add vertical shiplap to the walls like these first two inspiration photos. I think it adds such warmth and texture to the room without having to do too much more on the walls.
I’ve already asked my dad about helping out with this project, so who knows, maybe we’ll have a little DIY in our future. Or maybe not, I find that I’ve been getting overly ambitious lately and forgetting that I have a toddler and a newborn—ha!
I also want a gorgeous, yet simple light fixture in here and these are all great examples! Hopefully this little collection of photos gives you an idea of the style and look I’m going for!
Dining Room Updates
Table
We currently have a marble tulip table in our breakfast nook that I love. It’s small, but fits 4 pretty well, though it can get tight! As our boys get bigger, we may find that we need a bigger table in here, bu for now, it’s staying!
For the actual dining room, I want a solid wood table. Something that looks a little worn and rustic and isn’t too formal. The look I’m going for is more comfortable, cozy and home-y! Turns out dining room tables can get really pricey, all of these below are under $1300, and many are extendable, meaning they can seat 8+ people which is pretty incredible!
Chairs
Chairs are tough! I keep going back and forth between black and something more natural. We have a lot of natural wood in our house, so I worry that natural will just look like too much wood. Either way, these are all gorgeous!
Lighting
Lighting is actually such an easy change to make in your home and makes such a difference! In every apartment I’ve changed out lights to elevate and brighten rooms and it’s always been worth it. Plus, having someone come over to install it is pretty cheap! I always relied on my dad, or used TaskRabbit to install. Even TaskRabbit was quick and super affordable!
Tabletop Decor
For the most part, I want to keep this room simple in our own home, but I don’t want it to feel cold or empty either. I love the addition of a simple vase and bowl that lives there even when we’re not using it. It adds a little color and makes the room feel more lived in. You can see some examples above. It just makes the whole space more inviting, right?!
This would be a great time to use some fake flowers or fruits so you don’t have to worry about them dying! I linked some great ones below—super realistic faux flowers, plus some pretty vase fillers.
Wall Art
Lastly, some art! I don’t want to go nuts in here, but I think a pretty abstract or landscape would just pull it all together. I’ve also been loving framed textiles like these from St. Frank (pricey, but stunning!). I’ve actually thought about DIY-ing this idea, so we’ll see if I make it happen.
I can’t wait to finish this space and show you guys what we end up doing! Until then, happy decorating in your own homes!
BTW, the details on every rug in our apartment, and affordable decor picks.
