Add the four small pictures to the sign wall. Try lining them up under the sign or two over two between lamps on the console.

Add more wall decor in the same tone as the seafood sign.

Stay with a beachy theme...

I think your instincts are good to try to cozy it don't know what the condition of the furniture is, but I'm one who prefers working with what's there- especially with kids. Save the new furniture for when they're older:)

Lighting and soft textures will go a long way to making it cozier. I see a couple of recessed lights. Is there room in the budget to wire

http://houzz.com/s/m=7/u=L3Bob3Rvcy8xOTQxNDAxNS9UaGUtV2luZHdhcmQtQ290dGFnZS1DbHlkZS1IaWxsLVdhc2hpbmd0b24tdmljdG9yaWFuLWRpbmluZy1yb29tLXNlYXR0bGU=
Oops! Posted prematurely, I meant to say, is there room in the budget to wire a dimmable chandelier or sconces? Perhaps a drum shade or lantern reminiscent of ship lanterns or lighthouse.
Rugs are iffy with young children (at least with mine!) but we've had success with indoor/outdoor rugs you can hose off.

I'd add a chandelier over the table; add a woven shade to the window...the red check and white valence is good but the shade will add texture and privacy. And more art work...your choice...maybe you can frame some of the children's art until you find/afford what you really love.

I see you have recessed lights but no chandelier. Do you have the budget to add one? If not, consider two lamps on your sideboard and putting your recessed lights on a dimmer switch. I think the sign over your sideboard could go down a few inches. I think your window could use some curtains instead of the roman shade. You can keep them casual with a textured bamboo roman shade under them. What colors do you like for accents? I see some red. Your sign and pictures give me a Cape Cod or New England kind of vibe. Is that something you like? What is your budget for changes? If you can give us some feedback, I'm sure we'd all be happy to go "shopping" for you ;0 It has the potential to be a great space!

Thanks so much for the feedback! I've been saying we need a chandelier or light pendant. I'm stumped on what to get, I do like the idea of coastal theme. I'm from the eastern low country coastal area, but live on the west coast in a coastal area, so I guess I gravitate to that. The recessed lights are dimmable. The table seats 6, I'd like 8, in case we have guests. I also thought about a bamboo blind. I bought one but never put it up. We used to have white curtains, but didn't really do much for the room. They were overwhelming. We were thinking about corner cabinets or built in/faux built in around the window. Or a wrap around banquette like at Ballard designs? The whole room or half? Placement of furniture? I like the idea for more art, again don't know what to get. I have another place in the house for kids art. Thanks for the feedback on art, it is in need of some, just don't know what.

I also had a mustard green jute rug there, it was hard to clean and get in/ out of table.

One thought: Paint the credenza under the "seafood" sign a bright glossy red and hang two HUGE personalized canvas-wrapped photo close-ups of your boys on the wall that currently has two small prints. A chandelier, too.

Cute start - love that big sign and your table decor. Put in your table leaf . Install your bamboo blind and look for 2 fabric parsons chairs with a nautical look/color for the ends of the table. Add a pair of curtain panels to compliment the new chairs and fill in the window wall to warm it up.

Lower those small pieces of art and add to them to create a collage of coastal art-spray paint some starfish, hang an oyster plate or two, menus or charts of your favorite or local waterways, phonetic / nautical flag charts.

Just try to stay with the nautical colors. Red, White, Blue, Gold and Black. Have fun!

Do you want to stick with the red as an accent color? Curtains can overwhelm the window if they're not hung high and wide enough. They should be hung so the rod is almost to the ceiling and the inside edges of them just hit the edges of the window. That way the window is framed but not covered. If we can have an idea of what you're able to spend on accessories and a possible chandelier, we'll be happy to make suggestions.

Totally agree with katinparadise when hanging the curtains on either side of the bamboo blind.. Will warm up the entire room.

This has all been so helpful! Love the ideas also for parsons chairs and art. Maybe $3,000 budget? Which I know is not enough for a new table and chairs, working with what I have. Curtain ideas (curtains and rod) and chandelier ideas? Art? I'll attach a photo with the extra table leaf and jute rug.

I added a rug I have and extra table leaf

How about starting with a navy blue curtain with your bamboo blind underneath? I would look for 4 more pictures about the same size as your current two and hang them 3 across in two rows but lower down on the wall. I'd also lower the large sign over the sideboard. I think these new beaded chandeliers are awfully fun. https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Austin-Allen-Company-Handley-Collection-6-light-Tobacco-Chandelier/10736135/product.html?refccid=GI64NXGDJ6MLAZKD6OWUE5S3SU&searchidx=139 Add a navy blue metal lantern to one side of your sideboard http://www.kirklands.com/product/Home-Decor-Pillows/Candle-Holders-Lanterns/Lanterns/Pre-Lit-Navy-Blue-Metal-Lantern/pc/2284/c/2322/sc/2563/209648.uts?cid=cse_google&gclid=CjwKEAjwrMzHBRDW3saA88aT80MSJACbvo1T23xjlQkDPwTGbalnD1Duc656xW1gXgk6TIMapwMynRoC8yjw_wcB On the other side, you could put a lamp with a rope base http://www.destinationlighting.com/item/table-lamp-natural-rope-base-barrel-lamp-shade/P993947?utm_source=NexTag&utm_medium=CSE&utm_campaign=TableLamps You could add some red wood candlesticks to your table http://www.pier1.com/red-mango-wood-pillar-candle-holders/PS61096.html?cgid=pillar-candle-holders#start=1 This metal wall is art is pretty cool https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/All-My-Walls-Russ-Potak-Never-Stop-Metal-Wall-Art/13005778/product.html?refccid=EQPLKZKZPANZ252K7DC5RDTUUU&searchidx=312 Sorry for all the links but the site is being a bear about loading pictures. Hope this helps!

A mirror on the wall opposite 2small artworks would give room interest and couple lamps on the White buffet, you could go really bright maybe melon colour or teal porcelain for the base and white shades.

Something like this

And you definitely need a light fitting above the table.

I love, love, love all the suggestions! I will get more prints. I have two of them. I may just order larger ones and do 4 or them on an arrangement on the wall. https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/vida-miller.html. I just realized on the print there was a name and more of them! I have a question about the curtains. Should they cover the entire wall with curtains on left to right? Or how much of the wall? What kind of curtains? Linen? Thicker? Sheers? Last time I covered the wall on both sides with white colored blackout curtains, that may have been my problem, too heavy, wrong texture, too much. I love the idea of navy blue and/or cream. I really love the metal art suggestion and lamps, as well as chandeliers. I also love the parsons chair idea. I have considered the accent color being more red-orange or orange rather than red as suggested as well. I'm considering these 3 chandeliers also from Pottery Barn due to your suggestions. Thoughts? Thank you, thank you all!!!!

Since you have kids I would look at FLOR carpet tiles, tons of options, easy to clean or replace a tile if necessary and they NEVER shed! I would stay away from sisal or anything similar as it would be very difficult to clean and you know with kids it will be necessary at some point!

Go for wrought iron light fitting .

Those chandeliers are beautiful but too formal looking for your furniture. Something more like original suggestion above or oskuee suggestions. For curtains, not all the way across back wall. Extend rod so that the panels hit just as the window starts so it doesn't block the light (like in 1st picture) and as high as possible.

You have been given many good suggestions. Like the first chandelier option suggested by Judy G. However, I caution you about going too "beachy" in your design. A few of those elements, like your wonderful sign and the roped chandelier will be enough- too much and then it looks cheesy and not very original. I definitely recommend a round area rug. Yes your kids will spill things on it, but you absolutely need it to warm up the space. Buy something inexpensive that you don't mind tossing in a few years. When they are a bit older you can spurge on a nicer rug. I also recommend full length decorative drapes instead of the valance. A lined drape with a pattern or color blocking would be nice. They would be hung on a rod and would just frame the sides of the window making that area look warmer and more finished. I also suggest you add to the two art pieces- purchase the other prints that go with the collection and hang them closer together in a grouping. I agree the chandeliers you posted are too formal for the table and other furniture. I also like the first round mirror for the other wall. It would be great to paint the buffet red. Hope this helps- Good Luck!

An indoor/outdoor rug can be taken out and hosed off, and it can look beachy.

Here's a great link from designer Laurel Bern about choosing chandeliers that can help you start to narrow down the selection:
https://laurelberninteriors.com/2017/03/15/dining-room-lighting/

Thank you thank you thank you!!!! We will get white plantation shutters, we have them everywhere else in the home. Still the rope chandelier? I do like it alot.

I love plantation shutters. I have them in my front windows. If you love the rope chandelier, then I would certainly go ahead and get it. Get those two big things out of the way and you can move forward from there.

My photoshop for the day:

I love plantation shutters as well but if you are looking for warmth in the room, the shutters won't help and you have lost an opportunity to add color and fabric....something other than wood.

unless you add curtain panels on either side..I would try to find the parsons chairs first and then build off of them. Love the rope chandelier, doctornancy's red buffet, drift wood mirrors, rug big help.

Good advice...my hubby says he wants shutters, though...but I agree I do like the texture and warmth the blinds and curtains bring so we will see

Thanks ms51 for the article on the size of the chandelier. I started reading other articles about it. I'm worried that the Elk Lighting rope chandelier at the very top of this discussion, at 32" wide, may be too big for the room, but OK for the table. The room is 10.25' x 12.5'. What I looked at for calculating for a room, it should be around 23" wide. Or should I just calculate for the table? The table is 72" x 45", so it seems OK for the table. Thoughts? There is a smaller version of the rope chandelier at 17" wide...

I think it may be a little big for the room but it's also very open so it may not be an issue. I found this at 22" wide. https://www.beautifulhalo.com/industrial-orb-chandelier-6-light-twine-ceiling-lamp-22-wide-p-258460.html And this at 28.5 wide https://lightingconnection.com/products/danbury-rope-chandelier

Thanks for the extra chandelier suggestions! Got the first one, it's a great deal and I think my hubby will be happier with a smaller one than larger.

Lots of good ideas here. Would you consider turning your table, so it fits lengthwise?

That's what my hubby said! I am open to anything. I'll try it. Thanks!

May be the blinds needs to be changed for more attractive look.

I wanted to thank everyone for your help!!!!I think it turned out great! Thanks so much for the suggestions! I may bring back the sideboard table painted red. But I’d like to be able to seat 8, so I’ll be in the market eventually for a bigger table and chairs and I think the sideboard won’t fit. I’m definitely open to more suggestions or tips!

Photos

Lovely! Great job! Thanks for the update.

Thanks for showing us the finished project! It looks great. You did a wonderful job with the prints! Congratulations on getting it finished!

I was thinking about a casual table with a bench. I need a table to seat 8. Maybe this one? Norman reclaimed pine table with bench on Houzz? And some different upholstered chairs?

Just wanted to update! We got a new table to seat 8-10 with an extension. We probably have to move the chandelier over. We can turn the table with the extension to seat more. Thanks so much for your help everyone!!!! I’m still debating whether or not to get the same metal seats pictured for one side and on ends instead of the bench on one side. Greyish blue Bench cushions are on order. I don’t like rugs under my dining table I decided. I know it brings warmth, it’s just hard to clean. Anyway a huge improvement from the beginning!