Have you been following along with my month-long dining room makeover?

Layer 1: Chard Walls & Black Brick Fireplace
Layer 2: Sunburst Medallion & Honefoss Mirrors
Layer 3: Black & Leopard Chinese Chippendale Chairs
Layer 4: Floral Curtains & Bokhara Rug
Today, I’m very excited to give you the full, no-holds barred budget breakdown: blogger bares all!

*Today’s post may contain affiliate links.If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I may receive a small commission. You can read my full disclosure here. I hope you all know by now that I do only share things I really truly love!
Wall color: “Chard” by Martha Stewart Living, $24.
Fireplace: basic black, Glidden flat paint. Home Depot: 1 gallon, $20
1. Brass curtain rod – Home Decorator’s Collection 66-120” in brushed brass, $27
Curtain ring clips – Target: 3 packs of Threshold Drapery Clip Rings in Antique Brass, $21 (similar here)
2. Curtains – DIY: Waverly Spring Bling in Spring, 6 yards & Roc Lon Drapery Lining White, 6 yards – provided by Fabric.com, however, the total = $106
3. Gold sunburst ceiling medallion – DIY: Folk Art gold metallic acrylic paint, a few dollars.
4. Midcentury chandelier – Craigslist: $35
5. Honefoss mirror installation – Ikea: Honefoss mirrors, 3 packs, $45
6. Vintage Dixie Chinese Chippendale Chairs – Craigslist: $125 for the chairs + table, but I was able to sell the table for $175, so a profit of $50.
Black paint – leftover Glidden flat black from the fireplace, free. Painted with the HomeRight Finish Max paint sprayer. Tutorial here.
Chair fabric – Braemore Jamil Natural, 3 yards, around $100 with shipping
7. Vintage Burl Patchwork Parsons Dining Table – Craigslist: $100 for the table + 6 chairs, but I was able to sell the chairs for $100, making the table free.
8. 8×11 Bokhara rug – “borrowed” from my parents, free.
Accessories: Pottery Barn brass candlesticks (Goodwill: $8), pair of brass swans (Goodwill: $4), huge vintage white pitcher (Goodwill: $4).
Are you ready for the grand total???

When I tallied up the numbers, I was shocked that I was able to accomplish so much for so little! (And in order to be as accurate as possible, I did include the cost of the curtain fabric in the total.)
I realize that some things in this makeover were very lucky breaks for me, like being able to “borrow” such a huge, fabulous rug from my parents! And I realize that my source for so many of the items being Goodwill or Craigslist doesn’t really help you in tracking down something similar.
However, I hope this breakdown and source list does help inspire you when tackling a makeover of your own!
Here are my tips for room makeovers on a budget:
1. Paint is a high impact, low cost update.
2. Search out secondhand furniture that just needs a little elbow grease to become the star of the show. (I was able to make my furniture finds particularly thrifty by selling portions of each dining set to cover the cost of the rest of it!)
3. Don’t forget to look for lighting secondhand as well! (Of course, be sure the wiring is in good condition before you hang the light fixture! When it doubt, consult a professional.)
4. Shop thrift stores for unique accessories.
5. DIY the curtains of your dreams with a few yards of a fabulous fabric and a few hours of your time. (I could have surely found curtains for $100/pair, but mine are completely custom and in a pattern I absolutely adore. They “make” the room. So in my opinion, it is worth it to spend a little more on your own “custom” drapery!)
6. Snoop around in family and friends’ attics for hidden treasures. They might have something awesome tucked away. Or you could always swap home décor items with a friend if both of you want to try something new!
7. Finally, be fluid with your room design! Leave room for surprise bargains or finds to alter your original ideas – serendipity is my key to room makeovers on a budget!
I hope you enjoyed this tell-all post!

Wow, that's it? $350 is awesome! I would have never guessed. Love it.
I thought it was going to be higher too! Then I realized that I had broken even with the table and chair expenses and was so excited – it wasn't exactly intentional, but it worked out nicely!
Love how the contrast of the mantel on the wall and the light fixture is a score! xo Kristin
Thank you Kristin! I do love that light fixture – my husband wasn't convinced at first that we *needed* to drive 40 minutes to go pick it up, but I'm glad I persisted 😉
Really? That is so awesome. What a great budget friendly make-over. It looks MUCH more expensive than that 🙂
Yay! Thank you Katja! That's good to hear 🙂
WOW! I love, love, love the format of this post and your beautiful dining room! This is blogging at its best! I can't believe the deal you got on that stunning mid-century chandelier. And I love that you are not afraid of color. Love it all!
Thank you Tasha! What a sweet comment! I'm so glad you enjoyed this post! 🙂
That's fabulous! You totally rocked the makeover and accomplished a big impact!
Thanks love! No, YOU are fabulous 🙂
I'm so excited that I found your blog and this room is absolutely stellar! I want that rug!!!
Thank you Jenn! I'm pretty in love with that rug myself 😉
Girl… you're my hero!! $350 what a steal!!! So pretty for so little!!
Thanks Trisha! I couldn't believe the result when I started adding things up – I double & triple checked, lol!
This is incredible! I so love this dark bold colour, I'm craving a navy dining room myself now after seeing how great this dark colour looks.
Thank you Sammi! A navy dining room would be so gorgeous! Have you seen the lovely blue dining room from Swoon Worthy? http://www.swoonworthy.co.uk/2014/01/let-there-be-light-and-there-was-new.html
Wow! What a transformation for not a lot of cash. The curtains have got to be my favorite aspect of the room. Great choice!
Thank you Jennifer! I have a hard time picking favorites, but the curtains are definitely VERY high on the list! 🙂
you really did a fab job. i'm still jealous of the rug…and the curtains…and…
🙂
Thank you Trina 🙂 🙂 🙂
Love your awesome, thrifty room, Brynne!
Aw, thank you! 😀
This is such a beautiful room! It definitely doesn't look like a $350 room :). Great job working Craigslist of on the table and chairs!
Thank you Gretchen! If I had just purchased one set, I would have spent money on the table and chairs, but because I bought two sets and sold the table from one and the chairs from the other, I can't believe I came out on top! It's a good strategy to save for the future!
Wow! You did so well transforming your space on such a tight budget. Love how this space turned out.
Thank you so much Anu!
Oh my gosh! $350?!?! You are amazing. That is amazing. The room is amazing. Wow! I am in awe of you!
Jenni
Thank you Jenni! Haha. You are so sweet!
WOW! Your dining room is gorgeous. I am always drawn to bold, dramatic dining rooms.
Thank you Nikki! Me too!
Amazing dining room! I love the colors you chose.
I'd love for you to share your project and tips with my readers at my Fabulously Frugal Thursday party: http://www.alifeinbalance.net/fabulously-frugal-thursday-linky-party-66/
Thank you Barb! Can't wait to stop by your link party! 🙂
ah-mazing! you really made it all work together 🙂
Aw, thank you so much Stephanie! 🙂
Wow!! What a great transformation! I'm loving all the colors!! Following on Pinterest and bloglovin!!
Thank you Selene! 🙂
Just wanted you to know, I love this so much, you're being featured on The DIY'ers today! http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-diyers-61.html
Kayla, thank you so much! I'm so excited!
It is absolutely stunning Brynne!! On an amazing budget!!! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at Work it Wednesday this week:)
Thank you Krista! (I love Work it Wednesday!) I'm so glad you like the makeover 🙂
I can't even keep up with myself. I just realized I had been following along on your room makeover and then missed your final post. Gah. Anyway, I LOVE the colors and patterns you mixed in the room along with the bits of gold (you can never go wrong with gold). And your budget was pretty fantastic, too!
Angela @ Number Fifty-Three
What an inexpensive transformation! You did such an amazing job!
I truly AMAZED. Fantastic space spending a small sum. How inspiring!
Thank you so much, Dominique! It’s still one of my favorite rooms in our home!