I find banquette seating a tad awkward and LESS comfortable than a nice upholstered chair. Also your windows are low so you could have some throw pillows maybe...but nothing to lean back on.

A rug would help anchor the table, soften the hard look and help with noise deadening.

Also a fabric/color on the chairs might help with warming up the space.

I agree - I think that space is begging for texture

That is a large dining space. I love a banquette, but they only work as secondary dining spaces in smaller areas, IMO. I would add a nice colorful rug, a bowl or flowers on the table, and maybe a tall plant in the corner. Tile floors always seem cold to me, so adding something to the floor will help a lot. You could also look at curtain panels as well.

Thank you for these comments! I have no design gene and so it’s helpful to read these comments!

one more tip: Consider painting the tray ceiling a color that would compliment. Or even wood. A local interior designer could really help you here with minimal consultation...but it would be worth the expense to do it right.

You have a lot to work with! I’d lose the slipcovers on the dining chairs and get chairs that relate to the beautiful stained wood trim. Mixing warm wood and black can work great. The tile floor looks chilly. Agree with others that a rug and plants will make it cozier.

I think a warm tweed brownish fabric with some texture would look great

We are contemplating this table: https://www.crateandbarrel.com/monarch-shiitake-108-dining-table/s212423

Haven't picked chairs yet, but I was thinking some fabric chairs on the outer side or at the ends and some non-fabric ones (we have 2 young kids so want some that can be wiped!). And a washable rug? Wouldn't mind replacing the light fixture either.

We bought some PU leather chairs for our dining room due to the kiddo, and so far I'm digging it. Wipeable but comfortable and warmer-looking than plain wood. We didn't get a washable rug, though - if your kids are that young, I'd just forgo the rug until they are old enough not to spill on it (although those spill mats also work well). That table will warm things up considerably.

We're big fans of banquettes. Here's one we recently completed for a small kitchen in San Francisco.

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Just make sure the sill height of your windows are high enough to accommodate a bench. Should be high enough to allow for back pillows.

I ditto Kitchen Places first comment. A rug and the right furniture would be perfect. I’d hate to cover an inch of those windows but maybe floor to ceiling sheers that stack back tight at the corner could also add some softness.

You can add some texture with some live or faux plants in baskets in the room.

Natural or patterned rugs with some color will also help in the space. I don't see any reason to replace any furniture.

Rattan is a wonderful way to add texture. It’s also very nice to have armrests!

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Thank you! Just to be clear, we don't have any furniture -- that's furniture from the old owners, not our furniture.

One question about rattan/jute/natural materials -- love the idea of baskets with plants, but would those materials work for seats/rug if I have small children? My youngest is 2, so there are definitely spills (and sometimes intentional throws!).

Perhaps someone with children can chime in on the practicality of rattan. The seat cushions are loose, so washable covers would be ideal.

I probably wouldn't do it until my kid was much older than 2. Just cleaning woven placements is a pain. I can imagine cleaning smashed anything out of rattan would drive me crazy.

These are actually cement planters from CB2

You can select any type of planters you like. Willow planters are quite forgiving and don't cost $$$. These planters below are cement from Crate & Barrel.

Tables from Crate & Barrel

You might consider settee dining instead of banquette. Pedestal or trestle tables make it easier to get in and out of the seating.

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@Milli H I have 2 toddlers and find my jute rug vacuums up nicely and any liquid spills are prevented by a small vinyl mat under the high chair. Also, jute rugs have no backing so worst case your can flip it over.