A dining room is also a compelling place to go bold. Although it's a little bigger in square footage, it's a room often saved for special occasions and special meals, so the decor ...

For Maggie Stanley and her family, the paneling in their 90-square-foot dining room made the space feel confined and gloomy.

Wallpaper, wainscoting or a deep paint color ... The final layer is the dining room chairs. "Matching sets are out and contrast is in," said Petersen. "Mixing together wood and upholstered chairs ...