A colorful rug under the table and an interesting pendant over the sink. I would also add side panels to the dining area windows but that's just me; I'm a fabric lover.

solar shades would soften the windows a bit, or some natural woven roller shades hung in reverse

Thanks, but not sure what you mean by roller shades hung in reverse? I tried googling it, but I just found hung roller shades...nothing reverse.

I like these ideas...especially the pendant over the sink! Thanks!

Nice space!! Your options are wide open here. Your dining table and chairs are sort of traditional, so I agree with cheri127: nice drapes; attractive rod is important, too. You may never close them, but they'll warm up the space. I wouldn't do a thing in the kitchen.

Beautiful space. Especially love seeing the outdoor space. Those windows looking onto the BBQ are screaming to be slider doors. (I know; zero fell with window suggestions)

Ha ha thanks...we use the outdoor space often. I have patio doors right next to the kitchen dining area. So they're there, but not in these photos.

I don't think it's mainly the windows. The fence and especially the wall could use something.

Large area rug mostly needed. see what style youd lean to then go from there w wall color and table decor ( centerpiece of some sort). rod w swoosh style sheer panels would be fine . the view is nice you just might want filtering more than anything else.

Love the panaromic windows - I would leave them alone. I would replace the kitchen table & chairs. They are too dark and generic for such a lovely space.

The space needs color. I suggest replacing the dining pendant for something with more pizzazz. Perhaps colorful placemats. I wouldn’t bother with putting any coverings on the window(s). You have total privacy, and you wouldnt want to block any of the light. And, yes, changing out the dining set for something a few shades lighter, would help. Fabric backed chairs would add texture and color.

I’d suggest faux Roman shades mounted right under the ceiling so they don’t interfere too much with your view (they’d cover some of the casing). They’ll add warmth, texture, and make your ceilings appear taller by drawing your eye up. Plus, you won’t have to move your dog bed;)

Why are so many responses to this dilemma so different from one another? Because there's really nothing much wrong with this space 😉

Color inside and out plus some interest on the fence. New chair cushions and a rug for the dining area. Stain the fence a richer color and add a few features to it. Could be hanging baskets of flowers, decorative panels or cutouts of corten steel, etc.

Thanks for all the tips. A few suggested Roman shades. Or even faux Roman shades. I photoshopped a few choices. Not sure what color to go with, lighter darker fabric? What do you guys think? It's not perfectly photoshopped. I hung them high under the ceiling like someone suggested.

I also think the furniture needs to go...a lighter set would look nice. It's so hard to find a nice set. What websites sell them? I also hate the smelly furniture...so a store that sells non toxic furniture without that chemical odor would be nice.

would you actually lower these? does not seem you have a privacy issue. the third one maybe in a valance if you want some fabric. something like panels you can swag to the side seems it would "frame" your situation rather than the bulk at the top. if you really want to lower them quite regularly then the case is made. I dont like the formal diamonds or classical pattern for your space at all. the textured fabric is probably better . you could go lighter in a linen look .

No I don't plan on closing up my windows. We have total privacy and I don't need to close them with curtains or shades. I'm just placing them to give the area warmth. I can't use a rug because the floors get dirty and it would be hard to keep them clean in the kitchen. I have a dog and kids that make a mess in the kitchen. So I'd rather not place a rug. I was wondering if I should do a built in bench seating with pillows instead?

I tried to photoshop some bench seating in here to see if that's better than a dining set. Any thoughts?

I would be more inclined to decorate the view from your windows. What you are looking at is fairly plain. Lush plant material, colorful pots/containers of flowers, trellis/arbor, fountain, sculpture is what I would add. It could feel like living in a terrarium!

bench seating has potential. like the first mock up. one straight run. makes a garden like setting w the lighter tones as well.

Why not try updating the dining area by adding a rug under the dining set, add some roman shades on the window, and update the chandelier. Here are some of our dining images that might just help you:

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I don't think your windows are boring at all. They are wonderfully large, and framed nicely. What is boring is the view of nothing much except fences and walls. Some trees, bushes, flowers, vines, hanging baskets, potted plants, outdoor rugs, art, etc, would add a lot of interest and beauty to the space.

Since you have little ones, you could get an indoor/outdoor rug that would be easy to clean. Have you thought of painting your table and chairs to lighten things up. If you need to block the sun’s heat during certain times of the day, solar shades would work nicely. Plus you could still see your lovely yard and have a bit of color at your windows. Your dining area could use some art, as well.

Wallpaper in the eating area.

The problem is that the view out your windows is boring. If you think of the windows as large pictures hung on the walls, you will see what I mean. There is wood fencing, concrete, and a few plants, but nothing exciting, no focal point. Take a look at the paintings of David Hockney, or the pool pictures on Houzz to see how an outdoor space can be designed to be interesting and colorful. You could put some colorful ceramic pots along the fence; the color scheme should be the same as you have inside the house. If your budget allows, encaustic tile or a mosaic would look great on the concrete. And colorful plants like bougainvillea spilling over the concrete wall. cadence-living.com/projects/oakland-park-bungalow

Another vote for solar shades, the rug and the plants outside (when you get around to it). The term you were looking for above is a reverse roll. Some roller shades can be ordered with the shade closer to the glass or closer to the window casing. It's the oddest thing, but sometimes I think one way is better than the other and I'm not sure why.

I'm doing solar blinds in my refresh - no cords to fool with. I need the shade for part of the day - the window is that big and pointed south, but the sense of the outside will still be there.

If you do romans, you'll have this big puffer of material over top of the window. They are also kinda clunky, heavy and hard to clean. You'll feel the need to spread them to the windows over the sink. If you're just after color, not the practical use of them as adjustable blinds, do plain valances in a washable fabric.

Curtains would not work because of no wall space on sides of the larger window overlooking the pool, Irene Nolis. I do like the idea of an area rug and some art!

A couple things to make the transition between the inside and outside more harmonious:

--You have dark floors and a dark dining set. Either paint your chairs white or paint the table. You need contrast to light up the corner.

@Sheila Rowan suggested that you do more with the outside, tiles, plants, colorful pots. The boring vibe you're getting is partially coming from the view.

--Since you have kids, and kids don't mind bench seating, I think this space begs for banquettes, either built-ins (if you put bench on a lid, you'll have a lot of storage) with cushions you can order from Etsy. Bench should be white with colorful cushions. Wayfair sells armless dining benches, so that's another possibility.

White tulip table or some other white round table + dark chairs you have. Round tables give a cozy feeling to angled corners.

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Another possibity, though not round. I like the rattan roman shades, which connect well to outdoor view:

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This could be your corner:

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