Update Your Dining Room Décor

If you want to serve up a dash of new dining décor with this year's holiday feasts, update your dining room with a fresh paint color, new light fixture, window treatments and other easy do-it-yourself accents.

Before you start, visit your local True Value hardware store for all the tools, products and expert advice you need to start right.

Paint

Step 1. Choose Your Colors
Your choice of colors will take center stage in your new dining room so choose wisely. Use a simple, solid-color palette to create a "less-is-more" design. Or choose a neutral color like khaki, brown, gray or metallic and combine it with one or two bright colors. Take the size of your dining area into consideration when selecting colors. Light colors make rooms appear bigger than they really are, while dark colors can make a space feel more compact and cozy.

Your local True Value hardware store's Certified Color Experts can answer any questions you have about paint color. It is helpful to bring in ideas and pictures of interiors that you like to discuss with them. While you're there, you can pick up Custom Mixed Color Samples to try a few colors on your walls at home. The samples allow you to paint a small space and then live with the different look for a few days before making a final decision. You can also pick up Idea Cards, which have suggested palettes on them. Trend Cards which showcase the latest colors and Stripe Cards, which show shades of the same color, are also available to help you choose.

You can also experiment online with True Value's interactive Color Visualizer. Just upload a photo of your room then experiment with paint color and furniture according to six different looks. The Color Selection Tool features a color wheel with every color in the True Value® paint palette and can be found at truevaluepaint.com.

Step 2. Prep and Prime
If you can't move your furniture to another room, cover it and the floor with drop cloths. Use a damp cloth to wash the wall surface with mild detergent and water. Patch any holes and wall damage using a putty knife and spackling compound. Scrape off flaky areas of old paint using the putty knife. Remove outlets and switch covers and cover edges with painter's tape. Don't forget to also remove ceiling fixtures and door hardware.

Prime the walls. Priming doesn't require as much care as painting, but you'll use the same technique. It also will give you better paint coverage and helps paint last longer. Use True Value EasyCare® brand primer and a roller applicator and move in 6'-square sections, use a series of overlapping "W" strokes from right to left, then back from left to right. Spread the primer evenly using vertical strokes. Continue in 6'-square sections until the entire surface is primed.

Step 3. Do Ceiling Brushwork
Mask the perimeter of the ceiling with painter's tape. Next, "cut in," or outline, the entire room with a brush to reach the areas a roller can't. An angled sash brush or edging pad works well for cutting into corners. Get as close to the area as you can and apply the paint about 1/4" away from the edge of the surface. On the second pass, apply more pressure to carefully push the paint into place.

• To roll closer to edges without making a smeary mess, put your hand inside a plastic bag and slide the paint-soaked roller so it extends about one inch past the end of the roller handle cage. This allows you to roll right up to edges and cover any brush stroke messes.
• When doing ceiling brushwork, it's easier to pour paint into a smaller can, like a coffee can. That way you don't have to lug a heavy paint can up the ladder with you.

Step 4. Paint the Ceiling and Walls
Start with the ceiling before painting your walls. Always use a quality latex paint like True Value EasyCare® brand paint. Use the same technique as priming your ceiling and walls, moving in 6'-square sections across the ceiling and walls. Be sure to feather the edges of the squares, using less pressure when applying paint at the edges of the square. This will keep the finish even and prevent any lines where the paint overlaps from another section. Keep working with the squares until the surface is completely painted. Without adding paint to the roller, use light strokes to re-roll from the bottom of the wall to the top (or across the ceiling) to ensure everything is even.

Unless your paint finish is flat, you should go over the entire surface once again with one-directional, overlapping, non-diagonal strokes to blend the paint.

• Be sure to choose a roller cover that suits the surface texture. If you have a "popcorn" or textured ceiling, use a roller with thicker pile. Your True Value associate can help you find the right roller for your paint project.

Step 5. Apply Wall Brushwork
Use a paintbrush to finish areas that your roller couldn't reach such as in corners, next to the doors, windows and molding. Dip the bristles no more than an inch into the paint and dab off excess paint on the inner lip of the can.

Step 6. Apply a Second Coat
The first coat doesn't have to be totally dry, but the longer you let the paint dry, the better the coverage will be. Paint the second coat the same way you painted the first.

Step 7. Clean Up
Good brushes will last for many years if you treat them well. Use a brush comb to separate bristles that stick together near the heel of the brush. Rinse the brush out in either water or paint thinner. When it clears, put the brush in a spinner if you have one or thoroughly shake out excess liquid. Put the brush back in its protective sleeve and hang it on a nail or hook.

• Don't throw used paint thinner down the drain. Some states don't even allow it. Find out where and how you can dispose of it.

Pick up the drop cloths and replace the furniture. Replace the switch and outlet plates, the ceiling fixtures cover plates and the door hardware.

• Save any remaining paint for touch-ups. For bigger touch-ups, you'll want to remember your paint color. Before you replace the cover plates, put a piece of masking tape on the back. Write the name of the paint you used in that room and you'll have the name of the paint handy whenever you have to do touch-ups.

Update Light Fixtures

Giving a new look to your dining room may include new light fixtures. They should fit in with your other updates, including your new paint color. If you used a more modern color palette, you'll want to install fixtures that match. Steel, brushed nickel and antiqued bronze finishes have a more modern feel. Brass and gold fixtures go well with a traditional look.

The main light fixture in your dining room should be positioned over the dining table and be to scale with the rest of the room. A fixture that's too large can overpower the room while one that's too small tends to disappear. If you're replacing an old crystal chandelier, update the room with a simple pendant light or fabric-covered fixture. Install a dimmer switch for control of room ambiance.

• Take your light fixtures into consideration before painting, if you want to keep the light fixtures that you currently have. The wall colors, window treatments and other décor should all work together to create one cohesive look.

Add New Window Treatments and Accents

New window treatments can dramatically enhance your dining space. There are many options to choose from, so do your research to decide what will work with your new room design. Read interior design magazines, and gather ideas that you like from friends and family.

Contemporary window treatments include shades, curtains, draperies or shutters.

Shades are good because they can be pulled down for privacy when needed and raised for optimal entrance of light during the day. Try matching the shade with one of the fabric colors in your dining.

Shutters, specifically plantation shutters are popular dining room window treatments. They are available in many colors and finishes and are used best when they are the same color as the trim in the room.

Curtains are also an easy update for your dining room. They work well alone or with shades and should complement the other colors of the room including the walls, carpet or rug, chair fabrics and other furnishings.

To add a dramatic focal point to the room, hang a painting or a mirror. Mirrors give the illusion of space to smaller-sized rooms. As far as holiday decorations, less is definitely more with your new look. Use simple pieces for dynamic effect, such as a glass vase with fresh. Floating shelves are good for displaying china, photo frames, accessories or even a well-chosen holiday decoration.

Congratulations! Now your dining room will look stunning for your holiday guests. Head to your local True Value hardware store for all of the tools, products and expert advice you need to start right.

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