This dining room–to–home office reveal turned an underused space into a bright, cheerful cottage workspace.
Budget-friendly room makeovers are some of my favorite projects, and this transformation from a formal dining room into a functional home office ranks among the most satisfying we’ve completed.
This dining room was part of our seaside farmhouse, and while the idea of a formal dining space appealed to us, we needed a room that would get daily use. Converting it into a dual-purpose space—a working office that could still function as a dining room when needed—felt like the best solution.
We began by emptying the room and protecting the floors before any work started.
Next, we covered surfaces and moved furniture out of the way so we could work efficiently and keep everything clean.
Because the room dates to 1927, the plaster and drywall needed a little extra attention. We wiped down the walls, repaired flaws, and primed the surfaces before painting to ensure an even, lasting finish. If your walls are already in good shape, you may not need this step.
One of the most impactful changes was painting the dark, stained trim. We taped around window panes with green painter’s tape to protect the glass, then primed and painted the trim in a semi-gloss finish for a clean, updated look.
After priming, the room felt noticeably brighter. I briefly considered going all white, but we stuck to our plan and chose Benjamin Moore Gray Cashmere for the walls. Its soft blue-gray warmth felt perfect against the dark wood elements.
I cut in the edges for a crisp finish, and my husband rolled on the paint. Proper edge work and quality rollers make a huge difference in coverage and texture.
With one wall painted, we positioned the table—soon to serve as a desk—to decide whether to paint the entire room or leave some walls lighter. We loved how the blue-gray looked next to the wood, so the room received a full coat of color that made the space feel cozy and inviting.
Once painting was finished, we brought furniture back in and arranged pieces to balance function and style. The result is a room that works hard as an office while still feeling comfortable and welcoming as a dining space when guests arrive.
Below are before-and-after images that show the progress and reveal how a few thoughtful changes dramatically improved usability and appearance.
Before (as a dining room only):
After (now an office that still allows for dining when needed):
Before (note an old wall repair that needed attention):
After the makeover:
Before:
After:
Before (a curtain hid an oddly shaped closet):
After (later we replaced the curtain with a sliding barn door to better suit the cottage style):
The room now feels brighter and more relaxing, and more importantly, it’s used every day. Adding functional storage and a clear message center helped keep office supplies organized without sacrificing style.
To add personality, I introduced accents of orange for a cheerful pop of color. The exposed brick chimney and stained wood furniture preserve the home’s historic character while the updated paint and storage modernize the space.
Paint Colors for this Dining Room Home Office
- Wall color: Benjamin Moore Gray Cashmere
- Ceiling: White Heron (flat, matte finish)
- Trim: White Heron (semi-gloss)
Other Painting Resources
- How to choose the right paint sheen for a project
- Advice on painting exterior metal doors and trim
- Tips for using painter’s tape to create straight lines
- How to make chalk-style paint using baking soda
Want to learn how to do your own room makeovers?
If you’d like simple, budget-friendly strategies for room makeovers, I put together a free guide with videos that walk through the process. Sign up to receive step-by-step tips and project ideas delivered straight to your inbox.
