http://houzz.com/photos/270856. This look might work.

270856 photo here. Check that look out.

I don't know if you are willing to shop or have pieces that you can repurpose, but I'd go with a larger table and upholstered chairs. I'd switch out the cabinet you have for a wide buffet and hang a large painting or mirror over it...perhaps flanked by walls sconces that compliment your chandelier. And change out the rolling cart for a lush plant.

I agree with rusticglam, a large hutch / buffet unit for the back wall would help create a stronger focal point in the dining room.

Is your budget for paint, rug and artwork or are you thinking of new furniture as well? I like the furniture, it is classic.

if the former, I suggest picking out some nice looking storage bins from Target or Amazon for the hutch's papers (we all have papers), more of the light brown you have now would be fine. Then pick out two large poster size prints (at least 24 by 36 inches), get brown wood frames for them. Avoid cliches such as Van Gogh, Klimt and Monet. Got to art.com or etsy.com. Find a new rug, colors coordinated with artwork, that is much larger: the chairs should still fit on it when they are shoved back when people get out of the chairs.

Put the cart full of useful things in the kitchen when you have guests, or declutter the kitchen cabinets enough to put things away everyday.

In a word...skinny!!!!! I love your rug but it is too skinny, the table is placed so it looks skinny which then leads the eye up to your tall and skinny hutch. Easy fix, remove the rug and put it somewhere else to enjoy, turn the table so the wide side faces the living room to make it appear more grand. You could also put it on an angle with the left side of the table moving closer to the kitchen, which will leave the right side further from the stairs landing. I would them remove anything that is not related to the dining room to remove the clutter. Then add some beautiful brightly colored dishware to the hutch to give it some personality. To compliment the hutch and add some width to the wall add a large tall plant, some prints or maybe a large clock on one side. It also looks like you could use some more storage in your room so maybe you could purchase another piece of furniture for that wall. It could be the same color as your chairs. Lastly purchase a much larger area rug for the room. Hope this helps.

Love the hutch but was thinking to possibly replace it with something long and not very deep... similar to the attached photo. Also replace the rug with a larger one .

Good ideas here. I agree with rusticglam's comments. Adding drum shades to your chandelier will instantly give you a lift, too. Replace your rug with one that's slightly larger so that when you sit at the table and scoot your chair out, you're still on the rug. Consider lightening up the table by painting the legs. Does it feel a bit crowded now next to the staircase? If so, try turning the table 90 degrees to open up the traffic pattern. Also, what's behind you in these photos?

Thanks everyone. I dont care for the hutch or the cart and need more storage space so all of your ideas are great! Here is the other side of the room which is equally challenging and flows to the other side. Any advice is very appreciated. I want the house to seem cozy and I feel like I have a long way to go. As you can see, that is my front door that opens right into the room.

Paint the FP brick white. Remove the mirror that reflects your ceiling. Pare down, remove the hutch, clutter, excess and hang a gorgeous chandy over the table. Then put the mirror vertically where the hutch was. New area rugs with pattern but not so much as now. Table rug must be 4 feet wider and longer than the table.

Painting the brick is something to consider, but before you do (there's no going back once you do), definitely lighten the wall behind the fireplace to match the rest of the room. It'll make your space appear much larger. Also, you might consider shelving to flank the fireplace - they'll help to widen the look of the room and give you some storage & display possibilities, too. The rule for mirrors - they should reflect something you want to see twice, so consider placing the mirror on the wall behind the chair so you'll get more light from the window and another outdoor view. Place artwork above the FP, move the candle stand up to the mantle along with a couple of other decorative objects (perhaps 2 vases, different heights) and move the lamp to a different room. The chair is begging for a reading lamp/floor lamp in that corner. Swap out the dark pillow for something lighter to go with the feel of your rugs. Consider adding an ottoman and maybe a small bench by the window so the room can accommodate more than one person - think "conversation area."

Ps....my kitchen is 7'W x 9'L. Teeeeeny tiny.