Beautiful place. I love dark walls but don't know if your diningroom is as dark as it appears in the photos. Have you considered painting those walls that coralish color that is the color of your living room pillows? Can't see how that color would relate with the rest of the area on the other side or the rug but I think it would liven it up and would still work with your dark walls in the other room. I think doing that and a fabulous large painting on the big wall (shown in your 2nd photo ) would take it to the next level as you don't need much tweaking as you have done a great job. Just listen to your gut as you do know what you are doing :)

You could flank the larger opening with a pair of art pieces. Use them to pull that coral color into the dining room. Just for fun, switch out the two rugs and see how that works.

try a very large mirror on the dining room wall that faces the living room.

Ash- I was thinking a painting where ilikefriday has posted it.

This isn't the best coral color nor example but the best I could come up at the moment as far as painting the dining room walls coralish. A black and white rug could be cool with it to bring in the dark walls from the livingrm.

coral walls in dining room - Google Search · More Info

Just to give a visual with the coralish walls

Exquisite Rugs Aveller Hairhide Rug, 11'6" x 14'6" · More Info

hello Ashday,

I love dark walls and your space look really nice, I agree with @ilikefriday what it needs is a nice luxurious curtains "it will make all the difference", some accessories for the dining table... you can go with clear glass and antique gold, as well as a large abstract artwork.

I would change the light for something that is not as dark as the wall so it can be visible.. but that's up to you.

following.

Great space!

I love the rug swap & light swap!! Those curtains TDH are fabulous!!!

actually I think it will look better in the living room, the walls appear lighter there maybe its the large window and the light furniture. it will be hanged lower than the old one which is a good thing " if your walls are good height".

best of luck :)

A couple of observations here. These two rooms are not large and I would suggest you treat them as one with paint color, accents and upholstery. With that in mind, the d.r. chairs should be much lighter if you decide in favor of the "charcoal" walls in both areas. The "accent" wall in the living room does not do what you intended (to reflect the d.r. and to create an end point.

That said, I very much love Ted Bixby's idea of coral in the dining room and then you could go to the current soft gray in the l.r. on all walls.

So deciding colors is important and then something in the d.r. in the form of art to reflect the palette in both rooms will give great eye interest.

I like the dark dining room, but it needs a larger and lighter rug to break up the dark walls, dark table, dark floors. How about adding a large jute rug underneath your existing rug?

Regarding "boring" how about an unexpected chandelier which would look cool against the black walls though this one probably won't give too much light. Have you thought of adding some recessed lights as it looks like you don't have any and if that is the case, it would really help with your lighting especially if you stay with the black walls.

Mid-Century Remodel · More Info

Heracleum II Pendant Light · More Info

Try this one for a more budget friendly option:

Wrought Studio Briggs 45-Light Sputnik Chandelier | Wayfair · More Info

Great price on that Grover but don't know how much of a difference this will make but 63 lights vs 45 and the other one is a bit larger.

Yes, tedbixby, but the Wrought Studio light is 10% of the price. Not everyone can spend $3000 on a chandelier.

Grover- I was just wondering if 63 lights and being a bit larger really was worth spending $3K when you offered that option. I was happy that you had dug up a much lesser price one but just wanted to point out those differences as lighting is an issue in this room and didn't know if the size difference should also be a consideration. Just wanted to mention the differences as I've come across where people only look at the price and not the "details" and end up disappointed. Rather keep looking for something that checks off all the boxes if something isn't going to be 100% right;)

The recessed lights will make a world of difference in the brightness of the room when needed. Look for LED with color rendering index (CRI) of 90+. Absolutely not ones below 80 CRI. I got some from Costco online about a year ago at a great price.