I have ugly blue carpet that I hate in my dining room. How do you feel about the carpet? To modernize, I would replace the flooring. But I am a totally messy eater too, so I need a flat surface under my table! I have a similar inherited dining room set. First off, if you can't replace the flooring, just ignore it. Put a plain tablecloth on the table, that is a start for clean lines. You can also make or buy chair covers but they are pricey, so cheaper to cover the table. Pick a neutral color. That will cover a lot of the space with something "clean" to the eye.

Choose your coolest stuff for display inside the cabinets and spend some time on that. If you don't have cool dishes, you can use any old thing. Small pictures/art can be cool. If you don't love the curtains, consider blinds of some type. I am saving for maybe bamboo blinds for my french doors, or maybe roman shades. You don't show your chandelier, but there are many cool modern chandeliers that can go with an older dining table. Honestly think of the table as a neutral, it doesn't have to define your space. Especially if you cover it with a tablecloth. I change out my "tablescape" constantly with new tablecloths and placemats and napkins and centerpieces. It's fun and an inexpensive way to "redecorate" for a fresh new look.

With turquoise carpet, you should definitely keep your curtains a solid ivory/cream. The furniture is in excellent condition. What color is the chair fabric? Could we please see pics of the rest of the room?

We need more pictures. Also, more information: by whom and how will the room be used, do you intend to remove the carpet? I rather like the drapes and the way they are hung with one panel on the outer sides will leave room between the windows for the hutch. If you need to keep the carpet for now, how does the color work with the drapes? Black fabric on the seat cushions might perk up the whole room. We can't see what kind of chandelier you have now. Put it all together and post more pictures. I don't think it is as bad as you fear. There have been recent threads on updating dining room china cabinets that would be helpful to you. Good luck!

GW thread on dining rooms

Consider getting an area rug to place on top of the carpeting! Using a rug on top of carpet can work well: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-layer-a-rug-over-carpet-pro-design-advice-232179

The furniture itself looks like it's a classic style, so it could go nicely with a more modern rug to make the room feel fresher.

Take your cues from this great inspiration photo. Paint the walls a medium gray, like Stonington Grey or Storm. Get a vibrant colorful rug. White curtains with small print and silver curtain rod. Art on walls. Floral or branches as centrepiece.

I don't see turqouise which tells me I don't see other colors true to what they are as well. I also don't see the current chandelier

Your old fashioned furniture is made better than most new new furniture, just because. It's a bit too formal and matchy..well I can see working with it anyway

I don't know your style..I do see a pretty room which is a lot already

If you want (and I don't know whether you do; just whatever I think I hear from you) to break dow a bit this formality and matchiness..

-I'd put an area rug. Simply even the carpet will have spills and all..carpets don't make much sense in the dining. And I'd go with something simple..to contradict a formal look a bit. I need to think what material I'd use..should be good for very high traffic..should be laying flat on that carpet..probably no pattern or very simple subtle one..would be interesting to hear others' thoughts on the matter

-I'd fill the hutch with things I love, or even with books maybe. Something not completely expected for the hutch. Even though collection of bright or white dishes would look very cool to. Or-I'd be tempted to not use the upper part but use the sideboard only..hang an art I love over it..and if it's modern or not too serious-that's fine..will break the formality too. Of course should be something you love, first of all

-I quite like your curtains so the question is: do YOU like them? if no-what you'd like to see there? are you into solids? geometry? florals-just different ones?

-have you considered painting? It's a nice color right now btw(hard to say whether works with the carpet 'cause can't see clearly the carpet). Did you choose it? If not-will choosing your own color, maybe crispier one, or one you simply love more, will make a difference?

-what's the chandelier now? can you attach a pic maybe?

But generally speaking, going with more modern/streamlined chandelier might be a big game changer..lights of different eras work well with all sorts of furnishings. You just need to find the one that still relates-but argues with it a bit:) But they're still very happy together. It's not as contradictory as it sounds. It's a lot like families:)))

-I guess the room gets enough light to bring plants? Bring them:) They add lots of life to every room

And treat is, in general, like a room that'd make feel you(and family. and guests) at most comfortable. I love your table-but if you're afraid to put a cup on it think of a tablecloth. Reupholster the chairs in different fabric if white annoys you(luckily here is simpler job) , and you can make it cheerful fabric too. Bring a vase with flowers, put a bowl with fruits, a something that makes you happy.

In short treat the room like your partner lol. Listen to it; but don't let it dictate too much.

Can you post pictures of the room from all angles and a close up accurate picture of the curtain fabric and carpet color? You have lots of options. Budget?

I’ll definitely add more pics tomorrow, I am not going to use the hutch, too big for the space, I’m changing out the curtains, hanging some pics and got a neutral area rug! I’m also changing the light fixture tomorrow. For now, blah I’m stuck with turquoise carpet but I’m so glad the rest of the house has nice flooring...it could be worse. I’m staring to see this room coming together....

I'm not sure if this is relevant or not, but I have twice had to have my wool oriental rug over carpet, and it moves around a lot. Why would you need a rug over carpet in such a small dining room? Seems like it might make it difficult to get the chairs easily in and out. The table is going to take up most of the visual space in the room anyway. That's why I said what you put on the table (whether it be a tablecloth or just a runner or a floral arrangement), is going to make the most statement in the room. Plain carpet, no matter what color, will really fade into the background when it is on the floor. Just my .02, I could be wrong. I know mine does to my eyes in my small dining room full of wood furniture.

pinkmountain, I suggested it only to protect the current carpet, quite frankly..)) I agree-I'd think hard of what material it should be made of..not to slide, not to be too wavy or something, to lay there flat, etc

on the other hand I spent many years in rental apartments..and we obviously did have our dining table on the carpet..but as these were rentals (obviously "luxury" lol) they were committed to either cleaning the carpet once a year when the lease is renewed, or change it completely if a new tenant or if carpet was of several years oof tear and wear..

The worst rug we had over wall-to-wall carpet was a synthetic one. I tried a lot of pads underneath too, they did not help. I am already noticing a difference in the ease of moving chairs in and out just between my new carpeted dining room and my old one with wood floors. Wood floors were way easier!

Update..... I’m actually liking how it’s coming together :)

I didn't read the comments, but would like to say that your room needs better and more lights. And don't pick the cold color light bulbs. Either warm or a soft white.

Better lighting, please!