put all of the unneeded chairs in the garage, basement, wherever, covered in a paint tarp so they are nice and clean and dust free the moment you need them. if you put aside 2 chairs, it wont be such a tight glom of gloom, if that makes sense.

agree with above as that's about all you can do

as far as art goes, its good having black frames to make your table and chairs at home, but the 4 rather dark art works, with 4 frames, is a big dark to light ratio. 3 larger works, with lighter colors, and thinner (black) frames, might feel a fair bit lighter in weight.

I agree that if you put away two of the chairs, that will banish some of the darkness that's bothering you.

Is turning around the table an option? That is, when the chairs are pushed away from the table, do you have 36"-46" inches of clearance between the table edge and the wall?

Your art prints look interesting, but they're too small and far away from where people are sitting to be appreciated. Can you relocate them in your living room? A big piece of art on that wall would really wake up your dining room. I have no idea of your taste, so these are just guesses combining your cream, golden oak, black, gold valence:

I know you said all has to stay, but by just changing out the light fixture to an off white or white drum shade with diffuser would lighten up the space quite a bit. They can be had for about 125.00 to a tiny bit more. The color here is not correct yet there is off white and white as well.

If you are willing to change the wall colours with a cool colour and add a rug under the table , a large mirror or picture , a new light fixture and a buffet table your table and chairs will take on a new look.

Great suggestions by everyone! Thank you all so much. This is just such a wonderful community. If I were to add the rug and replace the art work and chandelier, what would people recommend? Porter's suggestion is good. Anything else comes to mind? Our style is somewhat transitional.

You should try adding a light colored rug, window treatments, and changing the dark chandelier. It will help lighten the space. Observe the chandelier in the first photo of ours, the rug in the second photo, and the drapes in the third.

Would this buffet work or would it seem even darker?

I can visualize this in your room

https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-ca/colour-overview/find-your-colour/colour/2113-50/mauve-desert?utm_medium=display&utm_source=houzz&utm_content=ca_colorpicker&utm_campaign=2016National&color=2113-50

I just purchased this chandelier from Lamps Plus and absolutely love it; very reasonable and well made. Think it would work well in your room; my table is about the same size as yours. Agree with others about needing big, bold art. I've had good luck ordering from Gallery Direct for that...huge selection in any size, reasonably priced and fast shipping. Good Luck with your room!

I just put a container of fresh tulips on my table. They work wonders!

Add a light carpet and bigger art light color as well

Did a search for texture [whether or not you keep linen nubby valance] -- this sun color would seem like your floors... to go over a somewhat natural/ distressed console?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/497871329/original-on-burlap-triptech-surf-art-by?ga_order=price_desc&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=burlap%20painting&ref=sr_gallery_20

Some good ideas here for you, but one of your main problems is the direction the table is sitting. Can you turn in lengthwise? That would help visually so much. The chandelier is not large enough for your table and therefore won't throw off enough light and the black iron base adds to the darkness. I do think bigger, brighter art would be beneficial. I would add light linen placemats and some mercury glass accent pieces to the dining table to bring some reflective qualities to the room. Move two of the dark chairs to another place for every day and use just six chairs. Two host (your linen look on the ends if you can) and two leather each side. You could get linen chair back covers made for the dark chairs to lighten things up as well. I chandelier with more reflective qualities would work better as well. I'll post some additional ideas for you. bbl

Full height white linen style window panels (floor to ceiling) will make a huge difference! Four pictures I would be two over two, maybe move to a different location in the space. This back wall may be fun to add a pop of color as well. Best of luck!

Here is little mock up for you. A cream and white chandelier, two prints with metallic frames for reflections. A pair of 3 each mercury glass candlesticks with white or cream candles and a clear glass and white hydrangea flower arrangement. Putting linen place mats with some gold chargers on them would lighten up this space like crazy. You can't do a rug with the table in this configuration, but if you turn it, you might be able to do it. You need at least 24" for chair push back and the chairs stay on the rug for this to work and you need some remaining wood showing around the edges. The room just looks too tight. If there is a leaf in the table, I would remove it for everyday. If you can turn the table that makes this room much better and transportation around and through the room much better. Hope this helps as you consider some new ideas.

This is really awesome, Flo Mangan --I love it. Thanks so much. Where can I find a chandelier and prints like that? Yes, there is an 18" leaf in the middle that could be removed for everyday. What would you think about adding a rug like this one to the configuration?

If you want a direction of warm color. Maybe less dressy, this? more a repeat of warm floor tone, etc...22.5" across.

Table runner, colorful vase flowers or bowel of fruit. Also I would rethink art size and position. I would do 2 or 3 large art pieces that are placed lower.

I'm all about budget and reusing, I'm an Accent Designer and here's what I would do:

Change the color on your existing chandelier to brushed nickel by removing all the "crystals" and spraying the light fixture with rustolium paint and once dry reattach them.

remove your pictures and hang a large framed mirror say 3 feet X 6 feet (look at second hand stores) and paint frame with leftover paint from chandelier. It will reflect a ton of light from the window into the room.

Add nice crisp white with silver modern curtain panels to the window and perhaps a large light gray/steel color rug.

Paint your walls a really nice light gray, it's a very neutral color and will help tie the room together.

You would not need to spend more then $300, if that, depending on the price for the rug.

Click on "more info" to see info on ordering, etc. A lot of fixture here for a small amount of money.

this is the pair I pictured in the mock up btw, if you do replace the chandelier, that one would look adorable in a powder bath and you could completely amaze your guests!

Does the table have a leaf in it? Reducing the size of the table would also help. And I definitely agree on replacing the chandelier and adding curtains!

I would skip the rug and spend the money on drapery (light colored to work with captains chairs), a rustic/transitional chandelier (yours is too small and too high - could it go into a foyer or hallway?) and larger/more prints for the back wall to ground the room (see below). If you can't change the table's orientation, consider a sideboard/console if it would fit and lower your prints and you'll have created a focal wall, which I think is needed. These accessories will take away from the dark chairs and also help to pull in the light chairs. Neutrals are an easy way to go and easy to work with in regards to the rest of your home. Good luck.

I wanted to mention, hang a new chandelier so the bottom is approximately 30-32" above the top of the table. Most hang them too high.

It's interesting as I skimmed back up, that you've received several different chandelier looks! What does the rest of your house look like? :)

And would details of table and chairs seem transitional?...

These muted flowers maybe with architecture neutral- chandelier right size idk? 26" across... doesn't mean you couldn't add more vibrant accessories....

As you arrive in front door and look at window, you see the chandelier? Would you like curtains? and to help complement it? Please show us what's farther in the room...if 1 window, let's widen the window!

Hi everdebz, the rest of the house is pretty neutral, with PBish elements in it. For example, this is the living room. Trying to make sure it all goes together:) (we added more art on the left wall since this was taken).

Why not apricot which seems like your floor?! repeats color of fireplace imo.

I suggest selecting new chandelier and art first. Then you can decide on window treatments. The art will drive that selection.

Are your walls a muted pale amber? so maybe these?

I was suggesting curtains as a tie-in, to help with chandelier choice.

I am not sure what color that chandelier is. Blue or black? It looks a bit blue on my screen. You seem to like the blue and yellow of your living room so maybe tie that in to the DR? Maybe paint the walls a soft yellow or bring in some of the blue and yellow to your curtains. I would definitely advise curtains as opposed to the valance you currently have. I would also suggest creating some type of centerpiece (predominately yellows) to brighten the center of the table. If you still think the table too dark, throw some placemats on it to brighten it up. You could also move two of the dining chairs to the corners and have only two on each side to spread out the color and lighten the "weightiness" of the look in the middle. Changing the art to something larger is a great idea and definitely would balance the table better. Then pop a rug with more blue and some yellow to round everything else out. Good luck and happy hunting!

I don't think you need to change your wall color, and I think you have plenty of ideas. I would tie the blues into any art work and keep the chandelier light and open. Having some light in the space helps "lighten" the overall look of your dark browns. So, I think this is all very doable. I think since the room is small, I would keep any window treatments very light in color and fabric. No grommet style, because they take up a lot more space from the wall, so simple drapery will work well. Linen would be wonderful. I think you have enough information, and are probably on overload, so let us know if you need further assistance! We can go on!

LOL Flo Mangan, definitely a little bit on an overload here. But so thankful for all these great ideas . Everyone has been so helpful. Agree on the curtains and bluish artwork. Hope I can find the "right" ones. Probably a bigger, lighter-colored chandelier too..what did you think of the rug I had in mind?

I hear that about too dark, but wouldn't linen be too much of the same? I like my colored curtains! [and your paint too, neutrally nice].

Rug has a blend look with LR rug, imo.

I think it looks too white and gray which aren't in concert with your more "warm" color palette in your overall space. I would find the art first, then go from there. As to the drapery @everdebz, yes, it would be similar and that is the goal because when a room is this tight, you want the windows to be "background" and not stand out. A darker drapery IMO, would be too much in this space. Art, and chandelier along with tablescape is enough to observe. The eye needs a resting place. Now if the art is all neutrals and the chandelier is neutral then yes, perhaps some color at the window would be in order. So it is all about the balance.

I just saw your living room photo--very pretty and well balanced. You know, if you replace your current dining room art works, they would look wonderful on either side of the fireplace. Relocate your photos elsewhere. Also consider moving your round mirror next to the window to reflect the light coming in from the window.

I still think hanging a large piece of art in the dining room and removing two chairs may be all you need. It's a good starting point in any case. These art works are all on Houzz. If one of them "speaks" to you, Houzz will also show you similar pieces at different price points that you might like.

One more: that most chandeliers are neutral, yes...? and liked blue art fairly so... please consider some color like in LR.

You aren't showing colorful rug [but could emphasize all the dark legs]... funny, but yeh?

You could try a drum shade over the dining room table: