Move the mirror about 12" lower. Hang larger artwork on each side, or move both small pieces to one side and hang a larger one on the other side of the mirror.
Place a buffet cabinet under the mirror, or hang a shelf wider than the mirror under the mirror.
Do you like the paint color? It seems fairly dark, so maybe a lighter shade of gray. Hang floor length curtain panels on each side of the Windows, and coordinate them with your paint color and artwork.
Get a table runner that works with the curtains and artwork.

Anchor your dining table with a rug that is 4' wider and longer than the table top so the chairs won't "fall" off of it when pulled out and sat in. Install a new chandelier hung 36" or less above the table that has lights that shine upwards. Downwards lights wash out the food and cast unflattering shadows on diners' faces. All of your wall items are hung too high and are too small. Remove them and shop for one large piece of art to replace the mirror. You don't want to double the view of the kitchen via a mirror's reflection. Art should have its center point 5' above the floor. Remove the vertical blinds and add floor to ceiling drapes at the window and flanking the slider. Table cloths and runners are not very stylish, so remove them from the table and use placemats when you eat. Get a nice centerpiece that can stay in place. Blue is a color that cuts appetite - great for dieters, but not really the best choice for kitchens and dining rooms. In the kitchen I'd remove the granite backsplash and install glass mosaic or subway tiles, to go with new warmer wall color that will work better with the cherry cabinets. If you have the budget, lighter countertops would make a huge difference.

Please provide more photos of the entire space from every wall so that suggestions will harmonize with the living spaces that adjoin your dining area.

--A much larger mirror over a buffet cabinet (or lower the existing mirror and remove all the small items) or console with a couple buffet lamps as ritting28 suggests would make the space much more inviting.

--Take off the plain tablecloth and put a large, interesting bowl in the middle. Use colorful wooden placemats for day to day use.

--The rug is much, much too small. Do you have another place for it? The dining chairs should be able to move entirely on the rug with sliders. Here's a link showing how to pick a rug for under a dining table. I like the pattern of the rug you have, but if you get a new larger one, consider brown, tan, with some gray/blue to coordinate with your walls.

[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/10-tips-for-getting-a-dining-room-rug-just-right-stsetivw-vs~32442746[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/10-tips-for-getting-a-dining-room-rug-just-right-stsetivw-vs~32442746)

--Curtains at near ceiling height in a blue, brown, and white pattern would add some pattern to the window wall. Or just plain floor to ceiling white curtains.

--A larger chandelier and island pendants would liven your space. The bottom of the chandelier should hang 30"-35" above the table. Yours is too high.

Again, we need to see more photos so we're not suggesting things that don't work with the rest of the adjoining living area.

I will provide more photos when I get home tonight.

Here is an example (little rough :>) I may repeat what others have suggested.

1. your rug is too small.

2. Looks like you have counter height dining set. Take off table cloth. You may want to replace that set, (mish mash of chairs) or at least get new matching chairs.

3. Light fixture needs to be lowered over table.

3. Art is hung too high and needs to be bigger.

4. Floor lamp is out of date. Get something modern.

5. Curtains for windows.

http://www.hayneedle.com/product/safaviehrodeodriverd861aarearuggoldblack.cfm?AID=11424706&PID=4159959&SOURCE=CJAFFILIATES&ShopperID=&TID=4159959

Painting is from Pier 1. They have some very nice larger pieces that would fit your wall and décor.

Yes, I forgot to eliminate the torchiere lamp.

more pics

Thanks Groveraxle,

I have the tablecloth because of my two small kids. I tried going without it and it didn't work out too good.

Curtains, no rug, new pendant over the table, either a sideboard with your mirror, or a modern china cabinet:

How did you edit the pics like that?

OK, you can keep the tablecloth. I understand Hot Wheels can do a number on the wood finish. But you don't need the rest of the stuff there. ;-)

Michael, I sneaked in while you were at work, redid the room, then sneaked out. I'm just sneaky.

Here's a tip: you have too much small stuff. Better one big thing than a bunch of small ones. Sometimes better NOthing than a bunch of small ones. Simplify. You really don't need a rug. Your floor is very pretty, and with no rug, it's easier to sweep up the crumbs.

Your living room isn't bad. You're missing art over the sofa and, BTW, kids are never too young to start appreciating art. You could stand to lower your TV and eliminate the stuff on the console below it, and you could use an extra curtain panel on each side of the window because your drapes look skimpy. (Too small again.)

Not that you mention it, the rug is sort of not needed. I'll remove it when I get home tomorrow from work. I have so many things that I want to do to my house I just feel like I don't know where to even start. I plan to repaint the wall to the eggshell tone that they were initially.

Well first of all lose the table cloth, maybe use a table runner or place matts. Lose the mirror. Replace it with your choice of contemporary sunset landscape. The burning red or orange sun should go with your floor. Make sure the table runner has rust color or gold. Take the strongest color from the painting that you choose and decorate around it. I'm a veteran and I know what the burial flag means to you and me because I have one for my father. But I think this is personal and should be placed in your bedroom or office. Change the out dated halogen lamp to a more contemporary floor lamp. Also you might want to invest in a more warmer room color like a beige or tan color. The smoky gray blue clashes with the table. The area rug should be larger and solid colored beige or off white. Lose the 2 tiny pictures. If you must have them there by the patio door line them in 3 on top of each other. Make sure you stick with your color theme. If you must have small paintings buy them in 3-4 pieces, and line them up next to each other to illustrate space.

I hope this helps

Thanks for the feedback Terrence. I plan to remove the run and just keep the table and chairs on the hardwood. I am currently Active Duty Navy, but the flag belongs to my father. It may be better if I out it in one of the rooms like you suggest. I plan to repaint the walls back to the eggshell tone that they were initially and i'll go off of that. What would you recommend for a chandelier replacement?

I doubled your drapes, added big art, moved the lamps and the TV, and added a throw to the recliner that looks like it's seen better days.

The recliner is going in the garage until I figure out what to do with it lol. I just got the new sofa but having a hard time getting rid of the recliner.

Chandelier depends on what else you do to the space. You should have a plan. Instead of picking things one at a time, decide how you want the space to look, then choose everything all it once. You don't have to buy it all at once, but as you find things you like, save them to an ideabook or inspiration board so you can see that they all go together.

Recliners are like that. Don't know if you're old enough, but when Martin Crane moved in with his son Frasier, he brought his duct-taped plaid recliner into Frasier's impeccably and professionally decorated apartment. It got a place of honor in the living room and Frasier learned to live with it. Your recliner reminded me a bit of Martin Crane's.

Yeah, I know I can't buy it all at once, but I want to get enough to see a difference and stay motivated to finish this thing through. I guess more than anything I'm just frustrated with seeing it like this for a while now and haven't done much in the past. Now I'm just completely over it all.

My bad. It was striped.

If you need a starting point, I would invest in new curtains for the windows and some art for the wall. Curtains are not that expensive and all you need is a new rod above the window and slider. Then just get some panels that you can hang on each side. Take down the verticals or hide them behind the panels. If you are going to repaint, either do that first or else buy new panels that are a shade or 2 darker than the new paint color. Go look at some art and pick out a nice sizable painting. If you are not going to invest in a buffet or china for that wall, then find some art. You can then accessorize the table from it. If you are not going to replace the small rug, no big deal. Once you get the curtains and art, then look at a new chandelier.

Donate the lamp, you really don't need one for the dining area anyway.

So paint, new curtains and art. Those 3 things will make a huge difference.

So do the easy stuff first. Remove the rug. Remove the too-small stuff from the walls and leave them bare for now. Remove the recliner.. It'll start to feel like a blank slate and you'll start to see other possibilities.

Two great places for art. They're always running sales. Look at LARGE art for that big wall. It should cover 2/3 - 3/4 the length of the sectional. Get stretched canvas; it won't hurt if the kids knock it off the wall.

http://www.gallerydirect.com/

http://www.greatbigcanvas.com/

Check out JC Penney, Home Goods and even Wal Mart for inexpensive panels. You can even get sheers and just hang them over the current window coverings to hide and soften the look and still have privacy.

I'll start tomorrow. I'll definitely post pictures of items I see for you guys opinions.

You did mention painting. A fresh coat of paint will sometimes get the decorating juices flowing. You have 2 walls in the dining room. Start there. Paint is cheap. Once that is done, you will feel motivated to add the curtains and art.