This transformation from a Dining Room to a Home Office creates a light and cheerful cottage workspace.
Budget-conscious room refreshes are a joy, and this Dining Room to Home Office project stands out among our best.
Our farmhouse situated by the sea originally featured this Dining Room.
Our goal was not only to alter the appearance but also the purpose; while a formal dining room was appealing, an office use seemed more practical.
We cleared nearly all items from the space.
and prepared the flooring.
Because this room dates back to 1927 and had issues with the aged drywall, we prepped the surfaces by wiping the walls with a damp cloth and applying primer. {Skip this if your drywall is already in good condition!}
A striking alteration involved painting the wood trim that was stained.
We used green painter’s tape around the glass panes to prevent paint splatter, simplifying cleanup considerably! Then, we coated the trim with primer followed by semi gloss paint.
After priming, the room appeared wonderfully bright. I wondered about painting it white, but we ultimately kept the initial plan: ~ Gray Cashmere by Benjamin Moore.
I handled the edge painting,
and my husband applied the paint with a roller. (Find our paint supplies list plus wall painting insights here.)
After one wall was finished, we positioned the table (which also serves as a desk) against it to decide if the remaining walls should be white or also painted gray.
We determined the blue-gray looked lovely against the dark wood, so the entire room received a warm, inviting coat of color.
Following the painting, we started introducing the furniture and decorative items.
While this room isn't completely finished, this is its current state. Since you likely appreciate before and after views, here is a look for you.
Prior (as just a Dining Room):
After (functioning as an office, with Dining Room capability when needed!)
Before (notice the wall opening… it has been repaired!!):
After:
Before:
After:
Before: (That curtain conceals one of the most unusual closets…)
After: (Update: Check out the closet featuring a sliding barn door we installed later.)
The space feels incredibly bright and serene, and its dual function made us utilize it significantly more!
To bring a cheerful energy to the room, I incorporated accents featuring orange tones.
The historical character remains evident due to the visible brick chimney and the touches of stained wood furniture.
I enjoyed selecting decorative items that served a practical purpose alongside their aesthetic appeal, helping to tidy our office materials.
Paint Selections for a Dining Room Home Office
- Wall hue: Benjamin Moore Gray Cashmere
- Ceiling: White Heron (applied in a flat matte finish)
- Trim: White Heron (applied in a semigloss finish)
Additional Painting Information:
- Discover how to select the appropriate paint sheen for your undertaking
- Guidance on painting a front door and necessary supplies?- paint for metal doors exterior
- Techniques for achieving straight lines when painting
- Creating chalk paint using baking soda
Are you interested in mastering personal room transformations?
For simple tips on achieving room makeovers without spending much, I created a complimentary guide complete with videos. Just click here or use the button below to receive it directly in your email.
