DIY ideas for my dining table

[hollyjollychristmass]

We're planning on changing up our living room in the next month or so as I've hated it for a while now. We moved in 2.5 years ago and I feel like we rushed to get everything done that we really didn't think things through. This little dining area is part of our living room and everything is basically grey. I hate it, it's cold, boring and dull. Plan is to paint the tv wall and dining area wall f&b smoke green, get some nice green cushions to match and a cream rug. Maybe some rattan light fittings with matching side table. The dining table won't go and I hate the colour of it anyway. It was quite expensive though and from barker and stonehouse and we can't afford a new one. So I'm thinking of ways to up cycle it and possibly cover the chairs. Does anyone have any ideas what can be done? DP is very handy where as I'm useless at DIY so he's happy to do whatever. I'm thinking paint the table legs black, maybe cover the table top with rustic style fablon? Is this a bad idea? I've never used it before. I would like to cover the seats cream but due to pattern/style of the chair I'm not sure if this would be possible or where do even start looking at fabrics?

Sorry forgot to add photos

Honestly it'd cost more than it's worth to re upholster chairs like that - assuming you'd use a pro as they're not simple chairs to recover.
How about draping neutral sheepskins on them to lighten them up a bit ?

I think the table and chairs are really lovely.

The sheepskin idea is good and they do come in different colours.

Do you think your DP could change the legs on the table? See if he can make it a little less "industrial"
Then you just need a nice tablecloth - pos in green to match your scheme.
The chairs look fine, and you could always put cushions on them to "dress" them.

Wait until you’ve painted the space - it could be at the moment, it’s looking v grey and dull but with the rest of the room sorted it would sit in the room fine.

Get some artwork that ties in the table and wall colour.

Rustic style fablon sounds like a bad idea. The table and chairs are fine, I would leave them as they are. You'll probably grow to like them better once their surroundings are done up.

I'd start with leaving the table, selling the chairs and buying new ones, and getting a colour coordinated table runner, and doing everything else you are suggesting. See what that looks like before drastic changes to the table.

Some people have had good results with painting fabric chairs, you could consider that. Those chairs will be a nightmare to reupholster. I wouldn't cover the tabletop, it won't work. If not painting the chairs I'd sell them on gumtree or Facebook marketplace and buy some I liked more, easy come easy go,

Avoid fablon.
Paint chair /table legs in a light colour or choose bright colour, red, orange for table legs. Get orange velvet cushions to fit chairs. You could paint that tabletop as long as you prime first. It would transform totally. Check Pinterest

Leave them. Get some nice lighting in once you’ve panted. Bit of artwork it’ll look really good.

We have that table and sold it at a premium as it’s out of stock everywhere

I've used rustic style fablon on kitchen cupboards and the effect was stunning but you need lots of patience to apply it well. My concern with using it on a table is that it'd probably get chipped/torn within a year. Covering the chairs will be very expensive. You could look at that fabric paint and if it's opaque enough, that might work. If you did choose new fabric, make sure it's teflon coated so any spills roll straight off.

i wouldn't touch the chairs. definitely not fabric paint - it would look awful.

get several colourful tablecloths (PVC for everyday, fabric for parties) and use them to get the colour you want. Or sell the table.

Ended up just painting the legs black and DP made a new top for table. I had seen lots of DIY scaffold board table floating around Pinterest/instagram so done the same and really happy with the outcome! Decided to keep the chairs as they don't look so bad now we have some colour in the room.

that looks great.

A simple tablecloth will cover the table top and be easier than Fablon, which I used on my kitchen worktops before I could afford to get the kitchen replaced by professionals. With Fablon it can be a bit tricky to get a good, smooth finish without wrinkles or bubbles. Wipe clean oil cloths can bought by the metre at John Lewis or similar.

Could you make loose covers for the chairs?

OTOH it may be worth saving up for chairs which you really like. I do understand about being in a hurry and just getting things done for the sake of it - I've done it myself and regretted it. So take your time and look at brochures to see what you really want.

Good move, it looks lovely well done!

I like the new look@hollyjollychristmass

I am too late to the party 🙁 but just incase anyone else looking for ideas , many years ago I had a friend that had a coffee table that was past its best but he had zero DIY skills so didnt know what to do with it.
He managed to find a piece of glass that fitted the table top so he bought some art work / collected beer mats / took photos / had post cards sent to him etc he put one theme under the glass the every month or so he would change it.
It proved to be a good talking point and only cost him about £10 .