Because the dining room set makes up the majority of the furnishings that will likely fill this room, the style of this collection will establish the tone of the space. If your dining room set is dated, you must take this into consideration when planning your decor, and account for it in the choices you make. By refreshing your set and working with its features instead of fighting against it, you can craft a cohesive dining space without purchasing a new set.
Instructions
1. Refinish the wood pieces. If your dining set shows its age, sand the pieces or use a chemical stripping compound to remove the dated finish, then refinish the pieces. Using fine-grit sandpaper, remove the original finish, paint or stain the wood, and apply a clear protective coating. For a thick coat of varnish, use a chemical stripper and putty knife to remove the finish. While this process will require some effort, it will likely pay off.
2. Re-cover the chair cushions. Remove the pads from your chairs by turning the chairs over and removing any screws that hold them in place. Using a screwdriver to pry out staples holding the existing fabric in place, remove the fabric and use it as a pattern for cutting covers out of fresh fabric. If you need to, add some extra padding as well, placing a new layer of foam atop each chair. Lay your new fabric right side down on a table, then lay the cushion on it, so the top of the cushion rests on the wrong side of the fabric. Using a staple gun, attach the fabric by starting on one side in the middle and stapling the edge onto the bottom of the cushion, then moving to the opposite side, pulling the fabric taunt as you do. Continue in this fashion until the cushion is completely attached.
3. Select tabletop pieces of the same vintage as the set itself. Take advantage of the retro feel of your pieces, and decorate with this as your room theme. Use a vintage '60s napkin holder, for example, to sit on a refinished '60s table.
4. Mix and match pieces to give the set a funky feel. If your outdated set is missing chairs or other components, seek pieces that complement, yet don't match, the pieces you currently have, to give your dining area a shabby-chic look.
Tags: your dining, dining room, feel your, match pieces, will likely
