I’ll let you in on a little behind-the-scenes secret at Apartment Therapy: There are certain home tours and before-and-after photos that readers love over and over again, and you should know that this dining room makeover continues to be a fan favorite. In fact, over 441,000 readers have taken a look at the stunning transformation. (It’s just that good!)
It started out as a beige, somewhat boring square space right off the kitchen, and homeowner Chelsea Scott “wanted it to be more aesthetically pleasing and a place where people would enjoy spending time,” she previously told Apartment Therapy.
I love how she transformed it from beige to a beautiful space thanks to paint, trim and new accessories. You can read all about it here when I wrote about Chelsea’s project in 2021.
Still, the project is still going strong in 2024, and I think a lot of people love it because it’s such a simple but striking change. In my opinion (and maybe 440,999 others agree), It’s a project worth bookmarking as it uses simple tricks to make a room with low ceilings appear higher — whether you rent or own, the space can be completely transformed for less than $400.
A few stretching tricks in the dining room:
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The do-it-yourselfer used dark paint on the bottom and light paint on the top. Chelsea used Sherwin-Williams’ Grizzle Gray for the former and Pure White for the latter. This helps ground the room and give it depth at the bottom, but still keeps the space feeling light and airy around the windows and ceiling.
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She added a pendant light with a long cord. While the dining room previously featured a flush-mounted pendant light, Chelsea opted to add more vertical drama with an IKEA chandelier and a three-foot cord. This swap also works for renters looking for something more statement-making and impactful than a standard light fixture.
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She folded her curtains. Chelsea also changed out her curtains as she transitioned from “before” to “after.” “I adjusted the curtain rods to hang much higher than they originally did and ordered new 96-inch curtains from Amazon that look much more upscale,” she explained in the “before & after” post. It’s a little polarizing, but letting the curtains hang an inch or so off the floor can create a little luxe drama—and it’s even recommended by professional designers.
“I’m happy with how any changes – big or small – make the space feel more open,” Chelsea told Apartment Therapy. Other ideas for making a room with a low ceiling appear higher include a long vertical mirror, hanging artwork from floor to ceiling, or using a vertical pattern.
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