1. Mix and match chairs: It takes a bit of finesse but mixing and matching chairs is a great way to bring personality to the table. This works particularly well with tables that have a simple profile, and where the chairs, although disparate in style, have similar back heights and a unifying color. For example, in this space, both have a black structure.

Design: Candace Mary Interiors / Photography: Jackie Blair

2. Painterly wallpaper can replace art: Perhaps your budget doesn’t allow for an oversized original piece of artwork, or perhaps you want to make a statement in your dining room. A painterly wallpaper can be a less expensive and stylish way to create atmosphere in your dining space. There are options with brush strokes and others, like this one, that mimic watercolors.

Design: Right Meets Left Interior Design / Photography: Lisa Russman

3. Create a banquette: Many believe that having a banquette is something that requires a large budget for custom carpentry and upholstery. Medina Grillo of Grillo Designs is showing an inexpensive way to make one using an IKEA shelving unit. This wall-mounted and bench option also has higher end iterations, depending on the seating, fabric, and customization options.

Design & Photography: Grillo Designs