It's a bright light space! I would have different window treatments, something with color. The mirror really isn't large enough, nor needed if it reflects a staircase. How about a LARGE fabulous painting!! Why lamps on the server? I would go with something indicative of the space i.e. a beautiful serving dish, an art glass piece, flowers if you find a painting not florals. In the serving piece I would go with something that is a nod to the season/holiday nearest but I always err on the side of FESTIVE. With that chandy and medallion you need to dress it all up a bit I think. Do you eat at the table regularly? A nice table cloth or placemats perhaps.....

You’ve got a nice start, a nice foundation. The only thing I might change is the rug, to something with a bit more color and/or general visual interest.

Red can be nice in dining areas - which is why it is often used in restaurants and eateries.

A bit larger than this rug, but just a quick view:

And this look is actually not bad, as other rug appears somewhat layered over your current rug.

Start with a rug that makes a statement and then pull colors from the rug for drapery panels for the window and art for the wall. I think this room could be painted if there was a way to stop the paint logically.

I would replace the mirror with art. It looks hung too high/like it should be hung vertically, but if you did that people would see themselves while they eat, which is awkward. You have more than enough furniture in there already with the large glass hutch and sideboard. I agree with different window treatments and a more visually interesting rug.

id do some window treatments, crown molding

and wainscoting or wallpaper

I definitely think you need proper drapes with some color and agree that the small mirror/lamps should be replaced with either a painting or a much larger mirror that isn't wood (you have enough wood in this room already).

I love love love your chandelier but it's more classic than country. I would also describe your current rug as more modern. Changing the rug to something more classic and with colors that complement the drapes would help. I'd also add some greenery to the table and, if you want to spend more money, swap the chairs for something upholstered.

I saw another post yesterday, with a great comment re: the ”anti-mirror” sentiment that is so prevalent on this forum. It is really beyond the beyond, in my opinion. Also, it may or may not be of interest to anyone here - but from an Eastern Feng Shui perspective, it is actually perfectly fine to use smaller scaled mirrors in a space and also fine to hang mirrors above eye level so that they are not intrusive in a space. So I understand the rationale behind OP’s mirror choice - and it looks good, reflects light from the chandelier as well as window and is not intrusive in the space - because, yes, most people probably don’t want to watch themselves in a mirror while eating. If OP wants to hang art, fine. But there is nothing wrong with the mirror.

Why does your folk Victorian not have any door casings? Or baseboards? No house would have been without them in the Victorian era, and the room looks naked without them. Crown molding and/or a picture rail would also be a nice Victorian touch.

freedomplace1, please don't think that designers reject mirrors out of hand in dining rooms. When a mirror adds to the room they get recommended. In this particular case, the room could use some color and texture and the woefully small mirror just isn't a plus for this room.

Even these mirrors combined with a different carpet and drapery panels at the window may not be enough texture and color for the room. That's why designers were recommending art for the wall.

I actually love mirrors but, IMO, the mirror isn't working. It's too small to start with. What I would rather see on that wall is some colorful artwork. Because the room does need a healthy dose of color.

Light fixture is too formal, too, IMO. Least ways, it is too formal for the furniture in the room. Less expensive to change the fixture than the furniture, probably.

No fragmented mirrors at eye level, please. There are folks who find it disconcerting to see themselves ”in pieces.” Hence, this being part of the reason for the Eastern Feng Shui position on the non-use of fragmented mirrors; and if fragmented mirrors are used at all, they should be hung above eye level, and certainly not at eye level, at the dining room table.

OP’s current mirror is fine.

Wallpaper would liven the room up.

Traditional Dining Room · More Info

Dining room with wainscott · More Info

Since your dining room is already a hub:

What is outside the dining room via the wall/windows on the left?

Would you consider swapping the windows for sliding glass patio doors and have it lead to a deck or porch or patio?

Then lose the rug altogether.

Also, if you don't need a dining table that seats that many people, consider a round one for the center "wheel" of your hub.

Do you like the formal overhead light fixture in the room ... seems out of place to me but I'm not a pro so follow your own best instincts on that.

Swap out the rug and change light fixture but leave the medallion. Love the fixture but it clashes with furniture style. Minority opinion here. I like the airiness, white color and lightweight fabric of your country curtain. Goes well with the furniture and the overall casual country feel especially in the summer. It doesn’t block off all light and the outdoors. Maybe you can do another variation of it in a longer length. Your dining room looks welcoming and comfortable. I like that furniture in the space. Changing rug and light will enhance it. A big beautiful country painting would look really nice over the server. Guests would love a painting!

Think drama and architecture detail. Crown moulding, ceiling trays and more moulding, dramatic curtains, that's Victorian.

Some inspos for you

Change the chairs out for upholstered ones. Looks to uncomfortable.

Perhaps changing out the rug fora more vibrant one, getting longer window treatments, and adding art over the buffet will allow this dining room to feel more decorated. Below are a few pictures from designs of ours that might just aid you with this dilemma.

Charlestown Brownstone: Dining Room · More Info

Oyster Harbors Estate: Dining Room · More Info

South End Brownstone: Dining Room · More Info

This is the view of the dining room from The front door and shows a piece of the living room to the right. I love the ideas of wainscoting and wallpaper. Thanks everyone. My living room is a mint green wallpaper with birds and floral design. What color should the dining room be? Do I continue with mint green or no?

You have a really nice dining room -- don't overthink trying to "decorate" it.

Like the neutral rug you have. Suits a dining room really well. You don't want to try to get people to be looking down.

Really liking all that natural light. What is outside that wall -- could you put a sliding glass patio door there? If the room is already a traffic hub, make the most of that.

The overhead light fixture seems formal and a bit out of place with the more contemporary furnishings in the room. Unless you really like it, consider changing the overhead light fixture, perhaps to one with stained glass.

My own personal preference would be to add a hutch with glass front doors to the wall over your sideboard for your dishes -- (you do appear to already have a glass front ?curio? cabinet on the right), https://www.crateandbarrel.com/cameo-red-modular-hutch-with-glass-doors/s454062 but only IF you can find one that either matches the finish of your current furnishings or otherwise works with the room -- such as it having stained glass that works with a stained glass overhead light fixture. Otherwise,

IF and when you find a large piece of art you truly like, consider removing the two lamps and mirror over the sideboard and rethink what you put on that wall -- but don't just change it to "decorate" it.

Hi Dawn, I looked at some of your previous posts and seen more photos of your lovely home. I’m concerned that since your dining room is a pass through room from hallway to kitchen installing wainscoting and wallpaper could cause issues with starting/stopping points. But I do think it would be great to tie colours to sitting room. I have a couple of suggestions for you to consider. First idea is paint walls a light green that compliments wallpaper in other room. Over your buffet add dome lamps snd a collection of plates that could bring in the other wallpaper colours, rose and blue. See photo below to give you a visual. Second idea is adding panels of Victorian style trim and just wallpapered inside the panels.