I would get a pair of coordinating pieces of art, one for each wall above the wine rack. If the wall spaces in that corner differ a great deal size wise, I would have the two pieces be similarly different size wise too. For example, you seem to want to add an organic element with the wreaths. Perhaps two botanical prints, one for each wall, would work. Or, you could add two small but colorful paintings to add to the room's palette. I would go with no-frame or frames which don't match the wood in the room just to break things up a bit and add more visual interest. Hope this helped. Good luck!

We would suggest adding a chair, with a bookshelf and possibly transform the small corner into a reading nook!

Thanks for your posts. Prints

may work. I'd have to find the right color and theme I think.

The open space adjacent to the table and in front of the wine rack is our main hallway for the first floor. So we technically could change the direction of the dining room table and chairs, but one would have to walk around the chairs to get to the other rooms on the main level. We could definitely get a larger rug, but the dining room table would still need to be centered with the two largest walls so I don't think it would solve any problems there. Each wall in the room is a different size, which complicates the set up.

Thanks, creative. I like that idea but it would displace the wine rack. We have no other place to put that.

If you do switch the rug, you would have another opportunity to add a design element to the space while still defining your dining area. A new rug could pull all the elements of the current design together and show off your personal style. Make it multi-colored in a pattern or design you love. I'd aim for easy care/stain resistant too because it's a dining area. Have you considered moving the table 90 degrees since 180 won't work?

I would remove the square wreath and just leave the wine rack, it has enough presence for the space. I'd suggest, as budget allows, new drapes to the floor (or tailored Roman shades with an interesting print) and a re-do of the lighting. I would remove the two lights and switch out the fan for a chandy. Do you have room to pull out the table to center under the fan? I like the minimalist approach but I think you need some color/pattern in the room.

this just seems "off" to me. I also think you should turn the table and rug. just seems the natural way to place it parallel the 2 windows. you should normally center the table under the lighting, in this case the ceiling fan. if you don't really need the fan I'd get rid of it. seems strange to have it along with the 2 other light fixtures in the room. to me it looks like there would be plenty of room for a walkway to the rest of the house. if you don't need seating for 8 everyday I would remove the end 2 chairs and place them either side of the display shelf you have or move them to another room until they are actually needed if you feel that the room feels to cramped with the table the opposite direction. I think it would feel larger. I think the room needs some color bring it in with pictures. whatever colors you like. It needs some visual interest.

"Aspen Green" Fine Art Canvas Print, 60"x40" · More Info

I'd get rid of the wine rack. There is no reason to take that much space and to draw that much attention to store a few wine bottles, especially when all you can see is the butt end of them. What a stupid concept!

Thanks all for your comments. We unfortunately cannot change out any of the light fixtures or fans in the room (we are in military housing), so have to work within the space as is.

It is hard to tell from the photos, but the wall in the last photo, with the large open book case, is much shorter than the wall with the two large windows. So if we pull out the table closer so it is under the fan, it will be jutted out into the hallway, past where the wall stops on that end of the room.

If we turn the table the other direction (parallel with the front windows), it will extend into the walkway outside the "parameters" (loose definition for semi open plan) of the room. The larger issue is that we would then not have room for our buffet and/or the open bookcase. We have just the two small wall spaces where they are now to work with and it won't fit well or be functional changing directions.

I think removing the square wreath over the wine rack may simplify everything, but then I worry about how playing the spaces without many accents. Military housing is very white and beige and plain, and we move every two years so it is a challenge every time getting into a space and decorating! The site has been very helpful so far!

Tatts, I get it! Lol. It's actually an antique champagne riddle rack originally used to turn champagne as it aged. More a statement piece!

You might get a couple of buffet lamps and just not use the overheads.

I think all your furniture is great and goes together. Can you pull the table out enough so that it is centered on the double windows but doesn't interfere with traffic flow? Can't tell if that would do anything for the space. The Ikea light seems too little for where it is. Can you move it to the riddle rack corner and then put the riddle rack next to it perpendicular to the wall? Or, vice versa? I would put the square wreath in a smaller space- maybe on your entry door? I would drop the round wreath closer to the bookcase and/or put some of your decorative items on the top shelf of the bookcase. I love tfitz1006 idea. You can get inexpensive ones.

How about nothing (other than the wine rack)?

Thank you all for your ideas and suggestions. I cannot tell you how helpful this is to me.

I think a buffet lamp would be great. The lighting is really terrible in this room, hence the IKEA lamp, so an additional one wouldn't hurt.

I will try moving the dining room table out a bit, but my issue is that it will extend past the end of the far wall into the hallway. This room has all differently sized walls and the one at the far end with the open bookcase is rather short. If you look closely in the photos you will see a little basket which marks the end of the wall. Pulling the table out even two feet will push it out past that wall. I feel the room would look more awkward that way. We just have an odd set up in this house!

We tried putting the standing lamp and wine rack in that same corner and it just looks awkward. The rack has to be centered in the corner and anything on either side next to it just looks kind of funky.

Playing around with the room a bit today, and removed the square wreath above the wine rack; lowered the wreath above the open bookcase; pushed the table, chairs, and rug out a foot or so; and added a small geometric lamp that matches the rug on the buffet.

Still not entirely pleased with the room -- and need to look for a standing lamp that may work better in the space -- but it is improving. Thank you all for your great suggestions!

Much better, but if I could suggest a few things. Your curtains are entirely too short, they should be close or touch the floor. The shelf unit belongs in another room, and it appeared that your walls were white or very light and your furniture very dark. I would paint the walls to reduce the contrast. The lantern also seems to be inappropriately placed in this room. I would also move the mirror down a bit or replace with bigger art might be better.

To me, the bookcase is fine, but I am wondering if you have pottery, vintage silver or brass items, anything that you would display in a dining room. I posted some pictures of dining rooms for ideas. I am sure you don't have 20 framed pictures laying around, but adding more variety and colors through an estate sale or a resale, antique shop or maybe Hobby Lobby finds could add warmth. The matchstick shades in the picture below might help without spending too much. In that case, I would remove the sheers. Sorry about the double picture, not sure how to get rid of it.

Thank you for your ideas. The curtains are an ongoing battle! I live on an overseas military installation and the window sizes and curtain lengths are very different here than what we can get in the states. I'm making due with these for now until I can find the right sized pieces that can ship internationally!

I do love the suggestion to display pottery or other pieces. Most of my serving pieces are very simple and white (Crate and Barrel), but I have a few neutral vases that may work. See pics below -- I think it helps a bit.

Lastly, I am intrigued by the idea of the matchstick shades. Are those something an amateur can install themselves? Our windows are outfitted with curtain tracks so we must clip any window dressings directly into the track. Unfortunately, however, we are prohibited from removing the tracks and installing any curtain rods or other hardware.

that looks so much better. love it! what a difference just a few tweeks make. looks more roomy and livable. but I still think it could use more color and interest. think about replacing the mirror with a picture. using the greens, tan and blues you have already in a landscape. maybe something from your travels on canvas, this can be done at a lot of places. they say color should be placed in 3 different areas of a room to keep your eyes moving and create visual interest and pull everything together.

Philippe Sainte-Laudy 'Ramberg Beach' Ornate Framed Art, 11"x14" · More Info

match sticks are easy to install but would require holes in the wall or window moulding for the mounting brackets.

Thank you for your kind comment and good input. I will pin the idea of the matchsticks for when we have our forever home. For now, I will keep on the hunt for longer curtains!

No, the way it is designed, the bottles are inserted into the rack and rest behind the slats. It would not lay flat if attached to a wall.

Wondering since you live overseas if you ever buy homegoods local to that area? Could find some keepsakes to take with you. I really like the items on the bookcase now. Are they all from one company? Can you mix in some white serving pieces, too? I would play with placement of the vases you have as they are all grouped together in the middle of each shelf. Include the little chest that is now on the floor to the right. Add other materials too, like glass or metal. Maybe add a few books with interesting covers or a large platter to give variety to the smaller dimensions you have with the vases. I think the tall white vase is too tall for a bottom shelf and can be placed on top to one side. Balance it out with something to the left. Here are two arranging pictures (first and last of the pictures.)

Just saw the basket to the left of the bookcase. Is it too big for the table? If looks okay, fill with high-quality fake or dried flowers (hydrangeas, eucalyptus), seasonal things (big pine cones, gourds, ornaments). Fill the bottom of the basket with "something" so you don't have as large of volume to fill. When you eat, just put it on the floor.