35 Dining Room Before & Afters Reimagined With the Soul of a Boutique Hotel

Tired dining rooms with outdated finishes and awkward layouts can feel more like obligations than invitations. These 37 makeovers prove that boutique hotel design principles work just as well at home.

In order to come up with the very specific design ideas, we create most designs with the assistance of state-of-the-art AI interior design software. Also, assume links that take you off the site are affiliate links such as links to Amazon. this means we may earn a commission if you buy something.

Each space started as a bland or dated room and ended with the intimate sophistication found in high-end hospitality. Think rich textures, considered lighting, and furniture arrangements that encourage lingering over dinner. The results show how strategic choices in color, scale, and detail can completely redefine a dining room’s character.

Wide-Plank Oak Floors and Live-Edge Table Recast the Dining Room as Modern Rustic

The old room relied on burgundy upholstered chairs and beige carpet beneath traditional chandeliers. Now, wide-plank oak flooring anchors a rustic live-edge table with metal trestle legs, surrounded by linen upholstered chairs. Black steel pendant lights hang from a wood-clad ceiling, while a floor-to-ceiling black-framed window floods the space with natural light

Gold-Veined Marble and Brass Details Dial Up the Drama

Dark emerald walls envelop the entire room, paired with a matching green marble dining table featuring dramatic gold veining throughout its surface. Upholstered dining chairs in forest green velvet repeat the monochromatic palette, while vertical fluted paneling on one wall adds texture. A smoked glass pendant with brass hardware hangs above the table, echoing the gold accents in the ceiling’s recessed lighting tray. Brass-framed mirrors flank built-in cabinetry with green lacquer finishes.

Sculptural Fluted Panels Wrap the Room in Warm Texture

Vertical fluted wood panels now wrap walls and ceiling, creating continuous ribbed texture across the entire room. Recessed LED strips run between ceiling slats, casting soft amber light that enhances the natural wood tones. A white marble pedestal table with geometric base anchors upholstered chairs in pale linen, replacing the heavy dark furniture.

Built-in credenzas with the same fluted detailing flank both sides of the space. A single spherical brass pendant hangs above the table, its cage-like design adding metallic contrast. Translucent glass partitions divide the room from adjacent spaces while maintaining visual flow.

Steel Grids, Matte Black Paint, and Pale Oak Tones Balance Light and Dark

Matte charcoal walls and a matching black ceiling erase the pale, dated shell visible in the before photo. A floor-to-ceiling black steel window grid now dominates the back wall, framing views of the lawn and replacing the old double-hung units. Light oak credenzas line both sides of the room, their pale wood grain providing contrast against the dark perimeter.

A single drum pendant with linen shade hangs over the black oak dining table, surrounded by upholstered dining chairs in pale taupe. Two spherical black ceramic table lamps flank a minimal horizontal canvas on the left credenza. The original carpeting remains, but everything else shifts toward a monochrome palette rooted in charcoal and bleached wood tones.

Black Lacquer Beams and Light Channels Deepen the Architecture

Black book-matched marble chevrons anchor the left wall, creating a bold geometric focal point opposite gold-framed steel grid panels. The coffered ceiling features stepped black lacquer beams with integrated LED channels, adding depth to the formerly flat surface. Cream channel-tufted dining chairs surround a dark wood table, while black marble flooring repeats the geometric trim pattern from the ceiling.

French Door Walls and White Grid Mullions Flood the Room With Light

Stone tiles in irregular whitewashed blocks climb every wall, erasing the smooth drywall that once framed a cramped traditional setup. Two cobalt blue glass pendants hang low over a round pedestal table finished in pale gray wash, surrounded by curved-back dining chairs upholstered in taupe linen. The narrow rectangular dining room gained width visually through the installation of a wall of French doors with white grid mullions, flooding the space with natural light where a single door once stood.

Built-in cabinetry with whitewashed finish and brass pulls flanks both sides of the room, replacing the freestanding dark wood hutch. A floating wood shelf in raw pine spans the left wall above one cabinet run, displaying cobalt ceramic vases that echo the pendant glass. The beige carpet gave way to large-format porcelain tile in cream with a subtle grid pattern defined by thin navy inset strips at the perimeter.

Stone, Steel, and Walnut Layers Balance Rustic and Modern

Ledgestone wraps the left wall around a mantel fireplace built from the same stacked veneer. Horizontal wood planks cover the ceiling in a medium walnut tone. A rustic farm table in reclaimed oak sits beneath a circular iron chandelier with exposed bulbs. Modern upholstered chairs in charcoal linen flank the table. Floor-to-ceiling steel-framed windows dominate the far wall, stretching across the entire width. A low credenza in weathered pine backs the right wall below abstract artwork.

Bronze-Trim Globe Pendants and Glass Light Soften the Glow

Beige carpet gives way to wide oak flooring in a soft blonde finish. A round table with white marble veining sits on a geometric area rug in muted gray and gold tones. Cream upholstered dining chairs with curved backs and tapered walnut legs surround the base. Two large glass globe pendants with bronze hardware hang from the ceiling. White shaker-style cabinetry with brass pulls flanks both sides of the room. Floor-to-ceiling black-framed windows replace the door and smaller openings, revealing a landscaped garden beyond.

Concrete, Steel, and Leather Layers Balance Raw and Refined

Horizontal reclaimed wood planks wrap one wall while large-format concrete panels cover another, anchoring a concrete-top table with black metal legs. Cognac leather dining chairs on cantilever bases provide seating for ten. An industrial wire cage pendant drops over the table’s center. Floor-to-ceiling steel-framed windows replace the former solid door, flooding the space with natural light and garden views.

Teal Walls, Copper Details, and Bubble Lights Transform the Dining Room Into Boutique Glam

Rich teal walls and matching mosaic tile backsplash frame a sculptural table with a hammered copper pedestal base and dark green marble top. Upholstered velvet dining chairs in deep teal surround the surface on rose gold legs. A copper credenza anchors one wall while geometric bubble pendant lighting descends from the ceiling.

Plum Lacquer Walls and Gold-Leaf Recessed Lighting Create Instant Theater

The original space relied on beige carpet, white walls, and standard drum shade pendants over a long rectangular table. A conventional china cabinet lined one wall. The transformation introduces deep plum lacquered walls with a recessed ceiling cove trimmed in gold leaf and filled with warm LED strips. A sculptural chandelier in rose gold and smoked glass hangs above an oval dining table with a high-gloss finish that mirrors the purple veining. Ten upholstered dining chairs in burgundy velvet surround the table, each with tapered walnut legs.

Large sliding glass doors now anchor the end wall, replacing the solid door and small window. A mirrored sideboard with brass hardware and a plum lacquered credenza flank the space. Abstract artwork in gray and violet tones hangs on the right wall. The floor switches from carpet to large-format gray porcelain tiles. Purple table lamps with crystal bases sit on the left credenza, adding ambient light beside a dramatic marble-patterned wall mural.

Brass Bases, Gold Walls, and Black Lacquer Finishes Sharpen the Contrast

Gold leaf panels clad both side walls, their hammered texture catching light from the recessed LED strips hidden within the tray ceiling. A round black lacquer table sits on a sculptural brass base, surrounded by channel-tufted velvet chairs in charcoal.

The pendant fixture features multiple black glass spheres suspended at varying heights on slender cables. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors frame views of manicured hedges beyond, replacing the small double-hung windows that once limited natural light. Dark horizontal planks cover the ceiling plane within the illuminated recess.

Blonde Credenzas and Bronze Wall Panels Layer Texture and Shine

Walnut-stained walls and a coffered ceiling with concealed LED rope lighting create warmth throughout. A round marble dining table sits beneath an amber glass teardrop chandelier with seven pendants. Curved walnut dining chairs with tapered brass legs replace traditional dark wood seating. Low blonde wood credenzas flank textured bronze wall panels, while bifold doors frame views of the backyard landscape.

Polished Large-Format Tile Floor Bounces Daylight Around the Space

Carpet and chandeliers give way to expansive glass walls that dissolve the boundary between dining room and garden.

Narrow vertical fluting wraps the left wall in soft sage, while a natural oak accent wall opposite anchors the room in warmth. The round marble table seats eight upholstered chairs in oatmeal boucle, their curved backs and tapered wood legs offering a gentler alternative to the rigid rectangular setup that preceded them. A sculptural pendant in hammered brass hangs like a suspended wave above the table, replacing twin drum shades. Polished tile stretches across the floor in large-format panels, reflecting daylight from the steel-framed glazing.

Built-in sideboards flank the room in glossy pale green lacquer, their handleless fronts concealing storage while displaying ceramic vases filled with dried grasses and blooms. Recessed ceiling lights supplement natural illumination, a practical shift from the single overhead fixtures that once dictated the room’s ambiance.

Brown Velvet Chairs and Soft Texture Warm the Dark Shell

Charcoal paint coats every surface, from the walls to the stepped tray ceiling, creating a moody envelope around the dining space. A large picture window frames the manicured lawn beyond, replacing the small double-hung windows that once flanked a solid door. Floating credenzas in pale wood with vertical paneling run along both side walls, their suspended profiles emphasizing the horizontal expanse.

Upholstered dining chairs in brown velvet surround a rectangular table centered on a patterned area rug in muted tones. A single oversized pendant in smoked glass hangs low over the table, its bulbous silhouette contrasting with the geometric ceiling detail. Abstract artwork in gray tones leans against the credenza surfaces, accompanied by ceramic table lamps with tapered shades.

Cream Plaster Walls and Recessed Alcoves Create Instant Architecture

Arched wall niches filled with pillar candles frame an oval travertine dining table surrounded by upholstered camel-toned chairs. Bronze candelabras replace the previous drum pendant fixtures. A wide window overlooks the backyard where heavy curtains once blocked light. Cream plaster walls and recessed alcoves create architectural depth absent from the original beige box layout.

Vertical Garden Walls and Tropical Foliage Turn Greenery Into Decor

Painted black from ceiling to floor trim, the space anchors a round dining table surrounded by moss-green upholstered chairs with sculptural backs. Floor-to-ceiling steel-framed windows open views to manicured lawn while a vertical garden climbs the left wall, dense with ferns and tropical foliage. Horizontal wood slat paneling covers the right wall in warm oak tones. A geometric bronze chandelier suspends above the table’s lazy Susan center. Matching low consoles in natural oak flank both sides, displaying potted plants and ceramic vessels. Jute area rug softens dark tile flooring beneath the seating arrangement.

Channel-Tufted Velvet Seating and Sculptural Bases Add Boutique Glam

Beige carpet gives way to a patterned wool rug in shades of charcoal and cream. An oval table with bookmatched marble stands on a sculptural pedestal base, surrounded by champagne velvet dining chairs with channel tufting.

Flanking console cabinets in matte navy with brass hardware anchor each end of the room, topped with ceramic table lamps. Wall sconces with fabric shades replace the overhead pendants entirely. A gridded steel window frame stretches wall to wall, flooding the space with natural light while abstract artwork in muted grays adds texture.

Skylights and Soft Neutrals Lift the Whole Palette

Two large ceiling skylights flood natural light across a walnut dining table paired with upholstered chairs in pale linen. A textured woven pendant in natural rattan hangs above the table, while vertical slat paneling in warm taupe lines the left wall. Abstract artwork in neutral tones replaces framed traditional prints, and a low sideboard holds ceramic vessels alongside dried pampas grass arrangements.

Emerald Velvet Chairs and Coffered Black Ceiling Saturate the Room in Night-Luxe

The traditional dining set and neutral walls give way to a jewel-box aesthetic anchored by deep emerald paneling with vertical fluting. A black marble table with cream veining sits beneath a three-tiered brass drum pendant. Tufted green velvet chairs with gold metal legs line both sides.

The coffered ceiling painted black incorporates recessed LED strips that outline each panel in warm light. Built-in shelving along one wall displays framed botanical prints and brass candlesticks. The original carpet yields to dark geometric tile laid in a starburst pattern that radiates from the table’s center.

Backlit Onyx Slabs Amber-Wash the Dining Room in Boutique Glow

Recessed cove lighting outlines the perimeter of the ceiling, casting a warm amber glow across the neutral walls. The rectangular marble dining table sits on gold-finished legs, surrounded by six upholstered cream dining chairs with slender metal frames. A single brass pendant hangs from the center on a rod stem, its glass shade catching light from the backlit onyx slab installed floor-to-ceiling along the right wall.

Beyond the table, three windows frame a courtyard view of potted olive trees flanking a wall-mounted fountain. The credenza below the onyx panel features light wood cabinetry with horizontal brass pulls. A woven jute rug anchors the seating area, its geometric border echoing the linear quality of the ceiling detail.

Lacquer, Marble, and Tropical Prints Rewire the Room with Maximalist Glam

Cobalt blue lacquered walls wrap the entire room, creating a jewel box effect that extends from baseboard to crown molding. A recessed ceiling tray glows with bright yellow paint, bordered by the same saturated blue. The marble dining table features dramatic purple and white veining set on a navy pedestal base. Upholstered chairs alternate between coral and golden yellow leather, their nailhead trim catching light from the trio of colored glass pendant globes in blue, green, and orange.

Tropical wallpaper with oversized palm fronds and peacock feathers covers one accent wall, mixing coral, teal, and metallic gold. An orange lacquered credenza anchors the opposite wall, paired with a pineapple sculpture and yellow table lamps. The geometric area rug repeats the blue and orange palette in concentric rectangles. A green lacquered cabinet with brass hardware stands where the traditional china hutch once lived.

Stripping away ornate tradition opens the door to minimalist warmth.

Cream Upholstery and Blonde Oak Slats Curate the Calm

Vertical blonde oak slats now wrap the left wall and frame the entry door, introducing natural warmth that contrasts sharply with the former dark furniture and beige carpet. A light oak dining table with squared metal legs anchors the space, surrounded by ten upholstered chairs in a soft cream linen.

Single pendant drum shade in taupe fabric hangs from the center, replacing the dual chandeliers with shaded arms. A low blonde oak credenza stretches along the left wall, topped with rounded ceramic vases and abstract art in ivory tones. Textured concrete paneling covers the right wall, adding tactile depth while maintaining the room’s restrained palette.

Shiplap, Cane, and Rattan Layers Anchor the Space in Beachy Neutrals

Horizontal shiplap planks now cover the entire ceiling, creating visual length and texture absent in the flat beige original. A large woven rattan pendant light replaces two traditional fabric drum fixtures, centering the room with organic geometry. Light oak table legs support a pale wood top surrounded by six cane-back dining chairs with cream upholstered seats, contrasting sharply with the heavy dark wood set from before.

A sideboard in bleached wood features cane panel doors that echo the chair backs, displaying ceramic table lamps and abstract art in muted sand tones. White shiplap walls replace builder-grade paint, while a jute area rug grounds the seating zone where floral carpet once dominated. Recessed lighting punctuates the ceiling planes, and large windows frame greenery views that flood the space with natural light.

Coffered Wood Ceiling and Charcoal Paint Sharpen the Mood

Dark walnut built-in shelving wraps two walls, displaying decanters and botanical prints against charcoal-painted drywall. A coffered ceiling finished in espresso-stained wood panels adds architectural depth where flat white once dominated. Leather tufted banquette seating in burgundy replaces individual dining chairs, paired with a lighter oval wood table centered on the original Persian rug. Floor-to-ceiling steel-framed glass doors occupy the former solid door location, connecting to an illuminated exterior courtyard. Brass globe pendant lights and matching table lamps provide warm accent lighting throughout.

Gold Tufted Chairs and Black Gloss Cabinets Dial Up Art Deco Glam

Gold tufted velvet dining chairs surround a marble-topped rectangular table anchored by a geometric black and gold patterned rug. Glass-front cabinetry in high-gloss black stretches along both sidewalls, revealing barware and stemware on backlit shelves. A marble bar counter extends from the left wall, its white veining contrasting with the dark millwork. Modern amber glass globe pendants descend from a recessed ceiling cove illuminated by warm LED strips. Large glass doors at the room’s end replace the former solid entry, flooding the space with natural light.

Mirrored panels behind the right-side cabinets double the visual depth and reflect the pendant fixtures. The floor transitions from beige carpet to polished black tile with brass geometric inlay that echoes Art Deco motifs. Nailhead trim details the chair upholstery, adding texture to the velvet surfaces.

Geometric Rug and Light Oak Floor Grounds the Soft Scheme

A circular table in pale bleached oak anchors the redesigned dining room, surrounded by eight upholstered chairs in taupe linen with slim brass legs. The ceiling features a recessed tray detail outlined with warm LED cove lighting that creates ambient glow across the neutral surfaces. On the left wall, vertical fluted paneling in off-white houses integrated shelving with indirect lighting behind the shelves.

A linear gas fireplace sits beneath the fluted wall, its surround clad in white marble. The right side holds a low sideboard in matte ivory with handleless cabinet doors, topped by abstract art in cream and gold tones. Overhead, an oversized dome pendant in natural woven raffia hangs from a brushed nickel rod. Wide geometric patterned area rug in beige and ivory grounds the seating area, while hardwood flooring in light natural oak extends throughout.

Round Travertine Table and Vertical Slat Wall Replace Dark Cherry Set

Light travertine comprises the round dining table, centered beneath a modern black pendant with gold interior. Vertical wood slats in warm taupe line the left wall, paired with floating white credenzas and open shelving. Black-framed steel windows replace the original white door and traditional casements, flooding the space with natural light. Upholstered dining chairs in cream linen surround the table.

Cobalt Glass Drops and Navy Lacquer Finishes Deepen the After-Dark Mood

Navy lacquered walls create a dramatic backdrop for a built-in wine storage system fitted with backlit shelving and brass bottle holders. The marble-topped dining table sits beneath a trio of amber and cobalt glass pendant lights suspended at varying heights. A geometric Art Deco rug in black and gold anchors the seating area, its angular pattern echoing the trim details on surrounding wall panels.

Cove lighting outlines the perimeter ceiling, casting an amber glow across the space. Blue velvet dining chairs with gold metal bases flank the table, while a mirrored bar cart and additional wine storage occupy the opposite wall. Full-height glass doors open to a landscaped terrace, replacing the original window configuration.

Chinoiserie Murals and Black Lacquer Accents Sharpen the Palette

Hand-painted chinoiserie murals wrap every wall and the ceiling in deep teal, depicting peonies, bamboo, birds, and butterflies in metallic gold. The round dining table features a lazy susan center in glossy black lacquer, surrounded by emerald velvet chairs with brass-tipped legs. A teardrop-shaped glass pendant in translucent green hangs above, echoing the jewel-toned palette.

Flanking glass-fronted credenzas in emerald lacquer display ceramics and brass accessories. The geometric Greek key border on the area rug uses gold and black to frame the seating zone. Recessed can lights in brass bezels supplement the ambient glow, while the dark flooring contrasts sharply with the ornate wall treatment that replaced plain beige walls and wood furnishings.

Live-Edge Wood and Stacked Stone Balance Warmth With Grit

The industrial cage pendant hangs above a live-edge wood table surrounded by tan leather chairs with black tubular legs. Stacked stone wraps the working fireplace on the left wall, paired with open walnut shelving that extends to the ceiling. Floor-to-ceiling steel-framed glass doors span the rear wall, revealing the outdoor lawn beyond.

Travertine Surfaces and Honey Tones Warm the Whole Palette

Backlit honey-toned onyx slabs consume the left wall, casting amber light across an oval travertine dining table surrounded by curved wood chairs with upholstered seats. Amber glass globe pendants in graduating sizes hang from bronze stems. Floor-to-ceiling glazing opens to the garden, replacing solid walls and carpet with direct outdoor connection.

Striped Velvet Banquettes and Floral Chairs Layer Pattern on Pattern

Deep hunter green coffered ceiling beams frame gold-lined recesses above floral murals that wrap burgundy walls in oversized botanical motifs. Striped velvet banquette seating in burgundy and green hugs one side of the marble-topped dining table, while floral upholstered chairs provide contrast. Open shelving with brass brackets displays glassware against mirrored backing built into green cabinetry. Geometric patterned runner in burgundy anchors white marble flooring below a crystal chandelier finished in antique brass.

Terracotta Tray Ceiling and Cove Lighting Wash the Room in Amber Glow

Warm terracotta paint coats the tray ceiling and upper walls, punctuated by indirect LED cove lighting that casts an amber glow across the entire space. Two burnished copper pendant lights hang above a round marble pedestal table surrounded by moss green velvet dining chairs with brass legs. Sage green cabinetry with brass pulls anchors both sides of the room, replacing the previous dark wood furniture. Large sliding glass doors now open to the backyard, flooding the space with natural light that the original windowed door couldn’t provide. Cork flooring adds texture underfoot.

Live-Edge Dining Tables and Linen Slipcovered Chairs Soften the Rustic Edge

Stacked limestone wraps one side of the room, textured and pale, while cedar planks line the opposite wall in horizontal bands. Exposed wood beams frame the ceiling with two parallel runners, stained in a medium oak tone. Amber glass pendant lights hang in clusters above a live-edge dining table paired with linen slipcovered chairs.

Recessed lighting punctuates the ceiling plane at intervals. Steel-framed French doors with divided lites replace the solid entry, opening the space to exterior views. Terra-cotta striping runs through the neutral area rug, anchoring the seating area beneath the table.