I like more space than stuff. You may feel like you need to fill up this space, but please do not. There is a theory of negative space that says that spaces need to breathe. Every nook and cranny does not need to be filled. Please live with this a little longer and then decide. You may just need to put up wall decor (to complete the look) and be done with it. Also, you may find that when you have a dining room full of people, that extra room is just what you need. Otherwise, you'd be falling over one another! Just my opinion.

If in your budget, I would start by getting a larger/longer table. Your rug is plenty big to accommodate a table that seats 3-4 per side.

I'd focus on adding art.

To take up some of the visual space add drapery panels

Lower the chandelier

Add art over the buffet and alongside the china cabinet.

The little cabinet left of the China hutch seems lost and out of proportion; I'd remove it. I agree that some drapes with pattern, color would help the room a lot. And agree that a table to fill your area rug would be great. And, of course, art and more art.

The added weight of artwork and drapes seem to be the best answer.

i might trim the tree a bit because as it brushes the ceiling i notice the empty space more.

I know it may seem silly, but may we see your living room for a comparison of size and style?

When considering art think about dimensional pieces such as wall sculptures. I had a wall that I couldn't find a large painting for so I hung a Japanese kimono (wedding gown) in bold colors and elegant embroidery.

Thank you to everyone! I totally agree about not filling up the space, because we do want to accomodate a lot of people in that room. My table seats 10, and with my budget, that has to stay. Maybe I should try a smaller rug so the table fits it better! The long 25 foot wall is what is throwing me off. thank you BeverlyFLADeziner for putting up artwork in my photo. I wasn’t sure if I should do one large picture/piece of art or several smaller ones. Someone asked for a picture of my family room, which is right behind the china cabinet wall. Thanks again for all of your suggestions! here are the photos of my family room

I would use the dining area for both dining and a small seating area. Ignore the chandalier and rug for now, and place your table closer to the window, turned so it is parallel to the window. Slide the china cabinet down the wall so it is even with the table. That leaves you a large usable space in front of the table for arm chairs centered around a coffee table.

Woodvale Drive · More Info

I would put a much bigger table in there, and nothing more -- it's nice to be able to have the space to walk around it.

Negative space gives a room airiness and room for people to move around. However, when I see your beautiful dining area, I picture a library dining room with a floor reading lamp behind one of the chairs by the window, and maybe even a hassock there and bookcases lining one side. Craigslist and estate sales a great sources of high quality bookcases. But only if you are a book lover (or art lover--remove a couple shelves and put art works on a couple shelves).

This room has a feeling your room could have--reading area at one end defined with its own rug, reading lamps, table between chairs, long drapes flanking window, classic dining furniture.

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Note art work on some of the shelves in this dining library space.

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I love your dining set. Similar to mine. You have just about what I have in my dining room, except mine is small, so it looks cramped. People like space around the dining area for moving chairs in and out, not right up against each other eating, or closed in by the walls. So I think it looks great. I will say, that I have a bookshelf in my dining room but I have a book addiction so there's that . . . I also have a LOT of art on the walls, I really enjoy looking at it while dining. I think the art would draw the eye in and you wouldn't notice the extra floor space as much. When you entertain you will be happy for the space . . . We use our dining room for most meals. When I entertain I am limited, it's all scrunchy in there and I dream of the kind of space you have . . .

You could also put up some shelves and display some nice serving pieces if you have them. I have mine on top of the china cabinet, but they would look good on a shelf. I inherited some "arty" serving pieces from my mom, couple of big bowls, hand painted teapot, elaborate cookie jar. That kind of thing . . . I will probably eventually get some shelves in my DR, just to clear out some wall space down below near the table.

It looks like if you add some window treatments and perhaps some artwork it will help fill up the space visually. Here are some of our designs to help:

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Thank you everyone for the great ideas. We just celebrated our sons wedding this past weekend, that was rescheduled from last year. Now I am watching their new puppy, so slowly but surely I will get this room completed! I found a piece of artwork that I liked, so thats a start!

i grew up in a house with a huge diningroom and that's where the grand piano was. I have fond memories of friends coming for dinner and the woman in the family had played piano in a restraunt before kids.....and she would leave the table asw e were lingering over coffee and play and chat.

It was a dual purpose room,a s when it wasn't dinner time it was a music room. At one time there were 2 pianos....the other was an upright....soon replacedw ith a buffet. But we had some fun duets!.

I have a friend who also had an enormous diningroom and there is a sofa and 2 easy chairs at one end for a conversation place or a reading spot.

It's lovely as is. Just finish it. Rooms with out drapes look feel empty, undressed. Art and sconces over the server..enjoy the breathing room!!