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A dining room renovation is what you make of it. It can cost as little as $150 or as much as $20,000 and beyond, depending on the size of your project. The final cost will depend on how much you choose to spend on the various areas: walls, windows, ceilings, moldings, lighting, floors, heating and furniture.
So what do you need to think about when renovating your dining room to create a beautiful and functional space? And how much will the average dining room renovation cost?
A premium dining room renovation costs anywhere from $12,000 to $20,000 or more if you opt for new furniture, flooring, lighting and extras. As with any renovation project, costs vary substantially depending on the size of the room being renovated and the standard of finishes and furnishings you want to include.
However, you could also achieve quite impressive results on a much smaller budget. For example, with a budget of just $1,000 you can patch and paint the walls, doors and ceiling, install a stylish pendant light as a point of interest, freshen up the curtains and carefully choose a few decorative accessories, all of which can create a stunning transformation.
A new coat of paint can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your space. It’s often the cheapest and most powerful improvement you can make, and for a low-budget dining room renovation, a patch and paint job can transform your space for just a few hundred dollars.
For premium renovations, there are a few clever ways to create an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere, without having to redo an entire room:
Windows are an expensive and time-consuming item to replace. In most cases, a fresh coat of paint and updated window dressings can be more than enough. Another option is to pick up a new set of curtains or shades to enhance the look from inside.
The ceiling is an area sometimes neglected by renovators, but just a few simple touches can make a big difference to the quality of the finished room. There is an assortment of different textures and products you can use to coat your ceiling, but a fresh coat of paint is often more than enough.
One gallon of ceiling paint ranges from around $30–$65.
Compare personal loans for dining room renovation
Great lighting makes a huge difference in any room and it’s crucial to creating the atmosphere you want. Whether it’s a new set of recessed lights in your ceiling or a statement pendant light, a change in lighting can provide a better ambiance and a focal point for the room. Many daylight or cool bulbs tend to make for a more clinical atmosphere. Instead, consider using warmer bulbs which infuse a sense of warmth and ambiance into your gathering around the dinner table.
Electrical control. Clean up existing switches and power points to match the look and feel of your room.
Electrical control. New light switches and power points in classic white
Electrical control. New light switches and power points. You may want to consider higher quality materials like glass or wood to match the decor of the room. Additionally, intelligent lighting controls that integrate sensors or smart controls can add functionality to an already appealing space.
If you have an existing hardwood floor in the dining room, sanding and sealing it is the most cost-effective finish in any budget. But if your existing floors are not suitable, replacing your flooring can be one of the most expensive parts of your renovation.
The most cost-effective way to heat and cool any room is through a heat pump system, either as a standalone unit or as part of a ducted system. Cost: $3,500-$7,500 including installation.
In older homes, you may have an existing fireplace which you should preserve. Original features are often desirable but not always an efficient means of heating. You might choose to keep and use the existing fireplace for the added ambience of a crackling fire, or you can install a more efficient system such as a gas fireplace to get the best of both worlds.
Cost: $2,500 including installation.
Furniture is the last item on the list but is also one of the most important considerations. The first thing you’ll need is a table and chairs, with prices varying greatly depending on the size and quality of the product you choose.
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Depending on your space, you may need a sideboard or end table. Prices again differ substantially according to the size and quality of the unit, so you can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $2,000.
The final major item you may need is a rug. Make sure to shop around and keep an eye out for sales to help you find the best possible deal. Rugs can get expensive quickly, but above all else, it’s important to find one that’s the right size.
Since dining rooms are one of the more basic areas to remodel, you don’t need to go out of your way to find financing options. Unless you plan on making major structural changes to your living space, a credit card or personal loan can handle most expenses that come up during renovation.
Paint, flooring and decor can usually be covered by most credit cards. To get the most out of your purchases, consider using a rewards card that gives you miles or cash back. This way, you’ll be earning money while making necessary changes to your dining room.
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For bigger renovations or expensive furnishing, a personal loan can do the trick. These allow you to borrow between $1,000 to $50,000 — or more — with lower interest rates than you’d find with a credit card.
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| Loan Amount | $5,000 to $100,000 |
Many dining rooms are more often part of an open floor plan living room, dining room or kitchen arrangement, which are designed to flow together as one coordinated space. Regardless of the type of your living room, decor, paint, and trim play a huge role in the overall aesthetic of the room.
If you’re including a rug, make sure it’s large enough that the chairs still neatly sit over it when pulled out. In an open-plan setting, you also need to think carefully about where you place your dining table and chairs, as it can have a major impact on how traffic circulates through the space. Placing it against a wall as opposed to the center of the room will completely change how people perceive the space, while opening the options for where other furniture is placed. Your opinion may change as you go, so it’s always a good idea to draw up a floor plan with all the furniture mapped out before you go shopping.
While many simple projects can make a huge impact for a small price, renovations can quickly add up in cost. To make the most out of your renovations, consider the full cost and plan the right type of financing to cover your expenses.
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