MEDALLION ON CEILING , MORE SPARKLY CHANDELIER, DIFFERENT SHAPE MIRROR (NOT HORIZONTAL) AND A MURAL (relating to local area, i.e. country, city skyline @night, whimsy)

I think adding a white chair rail might add some interest and depth to the room. Good luck with your room!

Art, art, art warms up your space with color and personality.
The art should fill the wall generously. Start with framed posters of Fine Art or a wall mural, even decals.

The color of the walls, new larger carpet are lovely cool colors add some warmth with art that includes red, rose, hello or orange.
A sea scape or landscape would include blue and warm color.

Open up the space with lighter wall, rug and drapery colors. The dining room chair upholstery can be changed to match the room colors and possibly and a splash of a different color. Based on the color of the adjoined room you can use a more fun Antique light fixture.

How do you like the table as it is positioned now?

This a nice space and wall color. No mirror in the dining room. Large art and larger rug.

You could do a large stencil on the far wall. There are some really beautiful ones now that would complement your style.

I think your new rug and turning the table did WONDERS for the space. Much more inviting. I am casting my vote for new light fixture and larger wall art where the mirror is as well. I think those two ideas would get you the most bang for the buck. I also think the plant needs a different pot that doesn't disappear into the floor. I like your color scheme. I think adding color as others have suggested would be a mistake. I personally appreciate the darker "masculine" vibe of the room. I would stick with a neutral drapery color when they are replaced, similar to what is already there, just updated.

I strongly dislike china cabinets!

See how the right sized rug made a huge difference. The same will be true for the other components like the light fixture.

The mirror isn't doing your room any favors. If you want a mirror do a decorative mirror over the console table. Something with style and interest. Look on ebay.

Everything still seems so dark...dark table, dark chairs, dark buffet, dark walls, little lighting. I can barely see the table and chairs against the wall color. I think I might wallpaper the far wall with something a little brighter and a little sparkly. Maybe not this exact paper, but just a suggestion to perk it up a little. With a bigger and more glam chandelier it would really be lighter and more interesting.

http://houzz.com/photos/9410113

I' m in the process of building a patio home. I'm torn between café or Rouge colored cabinets. What color do you recommend for countertop and floor.? Hd Laminate countertop and ceramic floors. How about walls? Thanks

+1 wainscoting definitely, but great job so far... the new rug and the table turn really improved the space :)

Everything feels dark, monochromatic and small for the space. You need a larger rug: one that allows the chairs to be pulled out and one that fills the space better. Get a larger mirror that holds the wall or a piece of art (with color) that makes a statement. Add a centerpiece to the table to give it some life. Add a sideboard with some decorative pieces on top so that the room feels balanced rather than just focusing on the table. Also, the photo shows the table as skewing left. Center it so that it doesn't feel so unbalanced with the window. A larger chandelier would help as well.

Coming along nicely,but the mirror looks to small for the wall.i might try putting the table under the mirror, with a larger perhaps round mirror and two candle stick lamps.

So much better with table on other angle! Now, turn rug to match so all the chairs have enough space to back up. Bigger mirror with silver framing. Bigger chandelier in transitional style, silver. Lower drapes to floor. White pot for plant as suggested. Add some silver accent pieces on console, table.

an oversized mirror with silvered or golden frame. Bigger chandelier and reupholster the chairs with a lighter, luxurious fabric

i would like to see some yellow in the chandelier you choose - love the improvements so far - keep bringing in lighter and brighter colours to pull the room out of the dark. (esp in your huge piece of art when you pick it.)

We had a similar color in our dining room and I think adding an interesting house plant, collage of artwork and molding to the room would completely upgrade the space and add visual interest. I find that just one large piece of art makes it look staged and lifeless.

In addition to foregoing suggestions: Go to one of the office stores, where you can buy inexpensive bookcases that you'll have to assemble. Get enough to cover the wall beyond the table. Go onto this site to find ways to compose books and your precious mementos. If you don't have books, go to a used book store and get books with colorful covers/spines.

I like new rug. Put pic on other wall and hang mirror vertical over side table. Upgrade light to a more modern look. Z Galleries has a beautiful Drum style shade in black with chrome, expensive. But give it a look. Lamp plus another good source. Go 24" drum style ..white shade would work too. You could go a roman shade on window. Are you keeping wall color?

If keeping panels on window Go to the floor. And no sheers look dated. Paint a little dark.. Go a fabric end chairs, in a light print. Your rug has gray, so should chairs. On mirror try a silver frame, instead if dark wood. You have enough dark. TJMax is good. IKEA too. Look at lights in IKEA. Some fun things. Good price.

Lights should be no more than 36" from table top.

Have you thought about bringing in some living wall art? Check out our wide array of indoor products, specifically the GroVert Wall Planter which has a stunning wooden frame and is simple to install. This wall planter is suitable for indoor use, and would give your room a unique twist!

Had another thought after I got off computer last night. Eventually changing the buffet to something like the following. More the shade of the new rug. And more interesting to mix styles.

Think the art would look wonderful above this:

Love the table turned 90 degrees as lessismore has shown. Could you do that and post us a photo?

Found this buffet...might match the rug too much?

I will add a new chandelier, a side board decorated with 2 pillar candles on crystal vases filled up with coffee bean and let the essence of coffee fill the room, on the other side a buffet lamp, on top of the side board a big mirror, and just on the table a big vase with fresh flowers .

If budget permits a bigger rug

a nice start :) i'd look for a much larger area rug for starters...something with either some great texture or to introduce some color. remember, the chairs should still be on rug, when pulled out to be sat on. then add a much larger, light fixture. personally, I'd look for a modern/clean lined, white, drum shaped pendant fixture, which will fill in some empty space. some large scaled wall art.....small art on large walls looks only like distracting clutter. be sure the pieces you pick have a common color palette and frame style and color so they will work together. I love art.com and to save money, take art prints to a local frame shop and consider having them dry-mounted on a board for a clean modern look. if you can find a slim furniture piece like a sideboard or buffet, go for it. it's always nice to have an alternate place to put something down on for entertaining....and a little extra storage is always great to have. add a lamp to it if you can. keep us posted!

For me it depends on where you want a quick fix or the long haul.

For the quick fix, simply dress your table with placement mats and plates as if you are expecting guests, it would fill up the room and best of all you already have them.
Draw out the chairs slightly from the table and it gives the impression that it's longer.

For the long all then you can take all the suggestions given ,take your time and have fun doing up your dinning.

Hey there.

I have a great blog post that may help you out.

Happy Designing!

http://timothyriversinteriors.com/2015/04/21/the-secret-to-decorating-your-dining-room-that-wont-cost-a-million-dollar/

Could you take all the window treatment down and post us a photo?

Wainscoting, bigger rug and centerpiece.

A modern buffet. The table and chairs need to balanced in the room. The modern look would also lift the style of the space.

I think the rug is the wrong rug for the room as it seems to overbear it where u are stuck on what to add to room.

Try moving the rug to look at the room again with a much clearer slate.

How about the wall where u have that mirror, add a beautiful wallpaper pattern to it to make the room pop and a bigger maybe a round mirror with some texture in the edge de or some unique like subtle spikes o add to it .

Then change the rug to maybe a beautiful calm grey color to give a nice contrast and after that the rest will probably come into place

Also a beautiful chandelier piece would add some stunning character to the room

First I would center the table in the room. Also purchase a new chandelier, and center it over the table. I feel a light colored area rug would add more contrast to the space. Also add a large scale piece of colorful artwork on the wall, or possibly two large mirrors. Mirrors brighten a room, and make a space seem larger. If you have enough space, add a buffet under the artwork or mirrors. Add two beautiful lamps to the ends of the buffet.

More art. Lighter wall colors. Bright rug.

Sorry, but I like the old chandelier and old mirror better. I don't like the new shiny silver, but the rug and curtains are better. I agree with placing the old mirror vertically above the buffet and moving the artwork to the back wall. Also nix the sconces. I suggest you add some nice beautiful and elegantly colorful ceramic and possibly glass art pieces, like a pretty bowl on the center of the table, and a grouping on the buffet, perhaps with a vase with real or real-looking artificial flowers, and also a more interesting colored/textured planter instead of the plain white one. Some examples:

Larger light, larger rug and lots of wall art.

miacometlady can you tell me where to buy or give me web a website for the pendant lantern style light in your comment

anyone know what the rings on the backs of chairs are called?

Put a sideboard on the wall where the mirror is and then a large mirror at least two thirds the size of the side board add decanters and glasses and or flowers on one side and a lamp on the other side .Then it will look furnished and welcoming.

I personally like the chandelier, so I hope you can find another home for it. The mirror causes such a glare when the chandelier is turned on, so I would suggest you find two matching mirrors and display one to the left and one to the right of the center of the wall so that the chandelier will stand out more against the solid wall. You might try colored and/or black and white print shades on the chandelier for variety. If you go with a print for the shades, you might find matching fabric to make small bolster pillows to place across the seat/back juncture of the dining chairs to add color, contrast, and pattern to so many solid colors.

I think the older mirror would be a better fit over the table/buffet you have placed in the dining room & then put the painting where the new mirror is. The new mirror seems a little too big & conflicts with the sconces. You are doing a great job & certainly taking so many suggestions to heart. If you do place the other mirror over that piece of furniture, you can then arrange some lovely collectibles, perhaps a medium sized lamp or varying sizes of candlesticks, etc., etc., which would bring something more personal into your room.

Just for fun, try switching the mirror and the art. Hang mirror vertically over the console. Then add a tall thin buffet lamp. Post photo please!

Add a floor vase, console table under the mirror, wall scones on both sides of the mirror, update window treatment to something more elegant, larger rug would fill the room and not swallow it up, and table dressings and centerpiece. Email me ldgafeney@yahoo.com. I'd like to see a remodel photo.

I would love to see more sparkle in this room! I think a crystal chandelier in a larger size would help. Also like the idea of a large plant! I agree the mirror is too small but it could work if you move it closer to the buffet/console and perhaps add a narrow piece above it or even another lang narrow mirror. I read quite a few of the comments but didn't see what style you are going for. Until you decide it is hard to come up with something that will suit your personality and you are the VIP here! Do you have a piece that inspires you? Do you want elegant or modern, trendy, eclectic? Make those decisions and the rest should be easy if you follow your own function and taste needs! I wish you much success and can't wait to see your finished room!

White drapes; turn the table lengthwise; a buffet under the mirror; replace the (too small) mirror and chandelier; a larger rug; a centerpiece on the table (not necessarily flowers, maybe a sculpture or serving piece from your tableware) and finally, a large contemporary painting. Have fun!

Switch the art and mirror - then the mirror will reflect the window and the art will be the focal point. Anchor the art with a buffet or sideboard under it on the far wall.

To begin with, some LARGE art and a much bigger natural fiber rug! Adding some extra lighting would do wonders, as well, maybe in the form of a larger chandelier, or a couple of wall sconces if you couldn't add cans. The dining set does nothing for the wall color. You could make some simple slipcovers to provide some color, contrast, or texture.

Larger rug, larger mirror, fancier chandelier, maybe a buffet, wall art and flowers or candlesticks on the table