I'd consider adding a bright, colorful bowl or a plate on a stand to the countertop and painting out or changing your flower pots to a brighter color to add some contrast to the cabinet area. You could add some under cabinet lighting to add some ambient light to the space. Consider changing the dark leather on your chairs to something lighter to bring some contrast to the table. You could really brighten up and add some color and interest to the space for less than $200.

Love that idea! Hadn't thought of continuing the backsplash over there..it's a white subway tile in the rest of the kitchen.

This is a nice space. I think adding a table runner would add interest. Also I would suggest adding a square basket for texture under the current fruit bowl. I love the idea of bringing your backsplash down into this area. I would place a couple pieces of pottery in colors matching the rest of your home to the top of the cabinets. I would also add some color to the countertop with a bowl, plate on a stand, cookbooks, or anything else appropriate for the space. I think you will appreciate the table much more just by making a few small changes.

Backsplash and under and above cab LED's would make a big difference. Then pick up a color from the backsplash for table decor.

What about reupholstering the chairs in a fabric with some texture and colour? I think introducing a third colour will give you the visual interest you need. I'm very fond of navy blue and dark brown with sisal, but you have many options. Then pick up that colour in some artwork so that it isn't a colour "orphan".

A bright piece of artwork for the wall beside your cabinets, bright bowls and plates for the counter top and soffet and a larger, brighter centerpiece for the table.

Reupholstering dining room chair seats is an easy DIY. Here's a few fabric examples. If you have a third colour somewhere else in the space you could pick that up instead of using navy. Your wall paint has a pinkish undertone, so blues would be an excellent choice. Greens and yellows, not so much. Some colour in the accessories on your buffet would also add interest.

It might be useful to include some of our dining room designs. They might help you with your dilemma. Take note of all of the colors.

One more idea: Hang a chandelier - just need to swag it over to the center of the table.

What do you think about completely changing the chairs? Like this? Found these exact chairs on Wayfair.

Would start with a new rug, with color.

Then I'd move the table six inches in some direction that would let you hang a light.

I suspect there should be some art on the wall that goes off the left edge of the photo too...

I wish we had the space to move the table!! I know we desperately need a light. A poster above mentioned a swag light- maybe something like this? Different style, but a drum. Doing a swag light is really the only way we can center it.

All you need is some color. Rug, fabric on chairs, runner, centerpiece on table. Add color to accessories on countertop. Display plates, etc. If overhead light is necessary swag it over to table.

I like all the other suggestions. New rug, add chandelier, add interesting backsplash, and redo the chair upholstery.

Do you need a bar area? Maybe add glass doors to the cabinets for wine glass display, a wine fridge, or a coffee station.
I am not a fan of round rugs, even though yours is the right scale. I would suggest a rectangular rug and a fun fabric for seat cushions. Do you have window coverings, other fabrics in your kitchen that you could tie in with this area?
It needs color and texture. Depending what you use the counter space for, I would remove all of the little plants and small items. Get a fabulous,large silver tray, much larger in scale than you have there now.
Beautiful kitchen btw.

I can't see your whole kitchen, but what I do see is lovely, but needs some color. Some antique Persian rug runners would be pretty. May we see your windows and window treatments. Do you have upholstered stools at your island?

You've gotten some wonderful suggestions, but I can't help but notice your kids' artwork on the door through the doorway ... what about getting some inexpensive frames and framing their artwork, you can rotate it to show their latest creations, and displaying on the counter and/or walls in this area? It would personalize the area as well as brightening it. And your kids will love seeing their creations spotlighted!

I don't think you need a backsplash in this area, since no food prep or sink is there. It is a separate area, more of a bar space, correct?

You should add color. Color not only makes it stand out more, but also works as a "feeling filter". By using more of the cold shades, like purple, green and blue, you get more of a chilled, calm vibe. By using more bright colors, like red, orange, yellow or pink, you get a more energetic, fun vibe. Right now, your room is not only dull in color, but the lighting (in the picture) gives it a more melancholy feeling filter. I would suggest that you use the brighter colors.

One more lighting thought. I just worked with a client with a similar problem. We found a great fixture that had the location for the wire connections offset to a top plate so we could center the plate and hang the fixture. It worked beautifully. So check out fixtures with large ceiling plates this might work. There are also very nice track lighting choices that would accomplish same thing. Hated to add to this string, but thought this idea was worth throwing in the pot!

You can swag, but you still need the lamp to clear the sprinkler by a certain amount, so may need to tweak the table at least a little. Your electrician must have *some* suggestion!

Muted orange with grey? pick up a bit of wood tones in chair cover... pick up patterned vibe of jute... repeat crisp white.

Because of neutral kitchen - attention drawn to green - is your wood cherry? reddish.

Add a color from this elsewhere: light or dark blue, or red.

tablecloth?

I think the round rug is making your table and chairs look like they are floating on a small island - go for a larger rug that is rectangular. A backsplash in a patterned encaustic tile could add some lovely pattern and color. If you aren't married to the upper cabinets for storage, take them out, add open shelves and display your favorite pieces. You can add lights to the shelving and also add table lamps to the counters, which will make up for the lack of drum pendant.

Hi again - you have not told us whether or not you like the many suggestions to add color (in all the different ways suggested) -

The white spindle back chairs you pictured and asked us about , IMO, do not work for two reasons: the style of the chair is not very complimentary to the pedestal base of the table and even though white chairs connect to the rest of the room, you will need to find a way to connect white chairs to the table (just creating another design dilemma I say).

And yes, the swag pic you showed was what I had in mind - in a different style.

What direction are you leaning in now re: colors? patterns? style? change in round neutral rug or not?

Your white chairs - why do you crave those over your current ones?

It's blah because it's gray and white, plus the brown furniture and the light rug. (The rug is the right size.). You need some art and colorful accessories to bring this area to life. You could change a colorful rug (same size) for the pale one. Put two or three art pieces pictures or paintings on the wall. Add color with place mats, table cloths, napkins, dishes and serveware. The current trend to paint walls gray is to supply a background for color. Background colors are necessarily neutral, waiting for accessorizing....like a plain dress asks for jewelry or buttons or a scarf.

Sorry, to respectfully disagree. Round rugs don't work in many spaces. I think an appropriate rectangular rug or even no rug at all will look better.
OP are you still there?

I'm still here! Thanks so much for all the comments! Unfortunately we just bought the rug. We had a decorator from Bassett tell us round would work best. And we did try a rectangular 8x10 there first, and didn't like it. I'll definitely consider recovering the chairs- any light fabric with some color would make a huge difference. I see what someone means about the white ones adding more issues..Our kids are getting a bit older and we won't be as concerned about stains so we can ditch the leather.
I'd love to do a light but my husband's skeptical we'd find something that would work.

For fun and help too [?] post some fabrics from your house and home. :)

Dining room -again fairly monochromatic! Only the drapes -and the runner have color. My husband and I actually like fairly serene colors and prefer them more muted.
And family room. Just got the couches and chair (I posted about it) but I'm exchanging them for grey upholstery. Slipcovers aren't my taste. Will definitely add a little color with pillows and accessories. It's a work in progress...right?! :)

What size subway tile do you have in your kitchen? Thanks

Do you like teal and rose [from runner]?