Dining Room Makeover with European Style
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A few years ago, our dining room received a much-needed refresh — complete with DIY wall molding that I proudly lived with for years. But after my recent travels, my design perspective shifted. I found myself dreaming of a more timeless, classic look that better reflected our colonial home’s architecture. In this post, I’m sharing all the details of my European-inspired dining room makeover, where elegant wallpaper and refined furnishings bring a new sophistication to the space.
The Before
Not long after we moved in, I painted the walls in our dining room, kitchen, and living room Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams. It was a quick and impactful change, but since the dining room faces northeast and gets very little natural light, the color read darker than I’d hoped.
I painted the DIY wall molding pure white, so I decided to paint everything else white too and bring in new furniture that mixed textures for warmth and interest. I chose a round dining table inspired by Restoration Hardware, built a cane console table similar to Pottery Barn’s Dolores cabinet, and kept the Amelia beaded chandelier from Pottery Barn — which I still adore. The wood bead detail tied beautifully into the new drapes and added an airy elegance to the room.
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Why Another Dining Room Makeover?
I know what you might be thinking — why redo a space that already looked great? My wall molding tutorial is one of the most popular posts on the blog, and the thought of undoing that work was honestly a little heartbreaking. But as my style evolved, I realized this was the next room ready for a refresh.
From my home office across the hall, I often caught myself daydreaming about what I’d do differently if I ever had time to make changes. I started saving inspiration from Instagram, Pinterest, and especially from my travels. Whether it was the soft tones of a Parisian apartment, the character of a seaside Scottish castle, or the refined elegance of a London hotel — each place influenced how I wanted my dining room to feel.
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Removing Wall Molding
Removing trimwork isn’t difficult, but it does leave behind some drywall damage. I didn’t use glue for my original install, but my contractor still ran into issues because the previous owners may have painted directly on the drywall without primer. You can either have new drywall installed or hire a contractor who is skilled in skim coating it properly to restore a smooth finish.
The image above is what my dining room walls looked like after the molding was removed. As you can see, there was considerable damage to the drywall beneath the molding. You can either have new drywall installed or hire a contractor skilled in skim coating to restore a smooth finish properly.
For the wall molding to work, I had to replace the window casings as well, which means the dining room windows were different than all the other windows in our home. They now had a Craftsman-style, which clashed slightly with the traditional trim everywhere else. Even though they were mostly hidden behind drapes, those little mismatches always caught my eye — and this was my chance to make it right!
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Mural Wallpaper
For this dining room makeover, my goal was to bring in furniture and decor that made a statement while still complementing the traditional style of the adjoining spaces. This Rural Mural Wallpaper from Etsy was the perfect choice — the muted tones and scenic design add subtle drama and charm. I’d seen it in another creator’s home (and in Europe!) and knew it was exactly what the space needed.
Unlike standard wallpaper, mural wallpaper doesn’t repeat. It’s a continuous scene that wraps around the room. I measured carefully, placed my order, and received numbered rolls that made installation a bit easier. This time, I hired a professional installer, but if you’d like to try it yourself, check out my tutorial on HOW TO HANG WALLPAPER.
My only job was deciding where to place the main scenery. I used the large tree as a visual anchor and positioned it just to the left of the sideboard so it didn’t appear to grow out from behind the furniture. The result feels calm, layered, and collected — like a European dining room that’s evolved over time.
Honestly, the molding made it difficult to decorate the walls because of the trim height. I’ll add a mirror and other dining room decor, but the mural wallpaper eliminates the need to decorate the walls in this space.
Dining Room Furniture
You don’t have to replace everything in a dining room makeover, but once the wallpaper went up, it was clear my furniture needed an upgrade to match the new mood.
Tap the images to check them out!
Dining Table
My previous round table was large enough for eight and perfect for family dinners and the kids’ craft projects, but I was ready for something more refined. The new Charleston Extendable Dining Table from Rejuvenation is narrower but longer (92″-116″) — just the dimensions I wanted. The color is warm without being orange, and the curved edges and apron details add a graceful, timeless touch.
Sideboard
Mixing wood tones can be tricky, but I didn’t want everything to match. After falling in love with the dining table, I decided to order the Theodora Sideboard, also from Rejuvenation.
The curved sides and brass hardware give it the elevated, European look I was going for. Together, they create a cohesive yet collected feel that works beautifully with the mural wallpaper.
Dining Chairs
I decided to keep my World Market Elena dining chairs, which I’ve had for years. They balance the new pieces perfectly — the light linen upholstery breaks up the wood tones and adds softness. Eventually, I may replace them, but for now, they’re staying right where they are.
Rug
One major update in this makeover was the addition of a rug. The hardwood floors were beautiful on their own, but I wanted to bring in another layer of warmth and texture to complement the new furniture and mural wallpaper.
I chose the Thorn hand-knotted wool rug in soft neutral tones that tie everything together without overpowering the space. It instantly made the dining room feel cozier and more finished.
Dining Room Light Fixtures
I’ve always believed in investing where it counts and saving where possible — a philosophy that’s guided nearly every design decision I’ve made. Sometimes that means waiting for a sale or finding a high-quality look-alike that gives the same effect for less.
Chandelier
The Amelia wood bead chandelier from Pottery Barn is a piece I still love years later. I originally planned to replace it, but once the new design came together, I realized it was a keeper. Its airy, organic shape contrasts beautifully with the mural wallpaper and continues to anchor the room. Although it’s discontinued, similar styles can be found at Amazon and Wayfair.
Sconces
With the wall molding gone, I had the electrician move the sconces down to a more ideal height. I chose the Windham Alabaster Sconce from Pottery Barn — simple, elegant, and softly luminous with its natural stone texture. They haven’t been installed yet, but I can already picture how beautifully they’ll frame the sideboard once they arrive!
Final Thoughts
There are so many ways to give your dining room a makeover, whether you’re doing a full renovation or simply swapping out a few key pieces. Let this be a reminder that your home should evolve as you do — shaped by your life, experiences, and travels.
Keep your home’s architecture in mind, consider how your choices flow from one room to the next, and choose timeless furniture and decor that you’ll love for years to come.
Would you ever redo a space you’ve already renovated? I’d love to hear in the comments below!
