I dislike gray so I would get some colorful art. And change the chairs and a round or oval table will add a softer feel. Art on right is too high and art straight on is too far apart

All you need in the spac eis the table and the chairs the fake plants need to go so does the little table on the right . Is this yur only eating space ? 4 chairs are all you need? IMO a smaller round table would be better . The art needs to be hung lower . BTW I woudl not do white counters with that floor. A pic of the kitchen would be great too. You do not have room for a rug in that space .

first thing for me would be an area rug. here are spaces anchored w a rug under the table. It shows personality..provides softness and/or texture and more yet ....can be bold for the main statement if you desire. Go ahead and shop on the web sites that have all shapes sizes colors patterns and get one shipped on Black Friday at a deal price. No harm and you can see what inspires you . I would get some plant stands or columns and get the pots w greenery up at eye level instead of hiding down at the floor. green stuff is nice so bring them up. things like art/ window treatment/ painting the far wall a feature color/ a new table pendant are things you can do one by one. Get a rug first . Before you seal the deal on the counter get some opinions about it and show the kitchen.

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I like the distance that the far wall is situated from kitchen and main hub.....just enuf set apart and .not too large...but wide enuf to make a feature there w color or pattern... Depends on what you like/ color preferences...tolerance for bold vs. subdued...many ways....note in these spaces [ not sure about those grays..]

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I don’t think I can do a rug as I have two children and they make a mess on the floor 3 times a day lol

I will def lower the pictures even though I am still shopping around for some new ones.

Yes four chairs is all we need. When we have bigger dinners we add more chairs or eat downstairs in our finished basement.

As far as the I pictures, I like the last two I really wish they build a window into the far wall.

I definitely agree with moving the planets up and will find two nice matching stands.

Clear out everything but the table and chairs. Find new art and follow this simple rule that works for most everything you want to hang: 5-5-75. Hang it centered 5' above the floor or 5" above furniture. Be sure it is no wider than 75% of the piece of furniture it hangs above. The two slim pieces should hang one hand's breadth apart, but if you keep them, move them to the side wall. Put a round mirror on the back wall to reflect your light, which may need to be lowered a tad. True, you don't have room for a rug because it should be 36-42" larger than the table top but not run into walls or block door swing. If you're looking for interest, consider painting the back wall in an accent color you love or are using elsewhere in the area.

I don’t think I can do a rug as I have two children and they make a mess on the floor 3 times a day lol

I will def lower the pictures even though I am still shopping around for some new ones.

Yes four chairs is all we need. When we have bigger dinners we add more chairs or eat downstairs in our finished basement.

As far as the I pictures, I like the last two I really wish they build a window into the far wall.

I definitely agree with moving the planets up and will find two nice matching stands.

I would love an accent wall on that back wall. Or maybe wallpaper.

Sorry didn’t realize I posted that comment twice

No wallpaper with kids; use kid friendly, washable paint instead.

Vinyl rugs are perfect with kids. Easy to clean, just wipe up spills. Spicher and Company have many patterns, sizes and styles. They are well priced, too. I got my runner at Garnet Hill, and they also come in sizes large enough for to go under a table. Hudson and Vine has a sale on them right now.

I really love RTHawk’s suggestion to create a gallery wall of your kids art. It would give the room color, life, and personality. Also an ever changing display would keep things fresh and interesting.

I also love the idea of a kids painting but instead of several small pieces, I would get a large piece of mdf or canvas, paint it a background color, and then let the kids paint a masterpiece using 3 colors that you select. Very young kids, 1-4 years old, make fabulous abstract artists. Just tell them to paint a picture of the family, hand them one color at a time, and don't give them more than 5 minutes with each color. They will paint something amazing. I had my kid do this at that age. He named his painting "Hair". He is now a teenager and that painting is still in my living room. It makes me smile every time I look at it.

Your dining room is like a blank canvas. You can go in many different directions.

Yes it is like a blank canvas. I kind of wish there was a window there because that would make it so easier.

I was thinking about taking the leaf out of the table to make it smaller, moving it over and putting a buffet cabinet with a mirror over it. I have more space to move the table over.

Put a window mirror there.

https://www.houzz.com/products/query/window-pane-mirror/nqrwns

What about painting the back wall with chalk paint? That gives your kids options to play around, and then erase what they don’t like.

I do like the idea of fun wallpaper (strippable, pre-pasted ones are on Etsy.com and,Spoonflower.com). The kids can vote along with you. There are tons of whimsical designs now.

If you can afford to change the table to round, you will find it easier to live with in that space.

I like the kids art work idea but that’s not really my style. If you look at my idea book you’ll see I like a modern clean look. Even with a little glam. There are no kiddie stuff allowed on the first floor.m-lol Unless they are playing with it lol but they are 10 and 7 years old.

Id start with a new light fixture and a dimmer switch.

I prefer diffuse light to fixtures that cast shadows so i have always defaulted to a dimmable three-light drum shade over our dining tables. i like around 3000 kelvin with total lumens calculated at 35 lumens per square foot.

I also would take everything out but table & chairs, especially to start with. I would not put the faux plants up on stands.
No rug - sure can wash some but you need to be able to just sweep up crumbs. Also it’s a pain to move chairs on rugs unless they’re fully on, & it looks like you need pathway space for doors.
I think you may be wanting more drama , warmth & interest , which you’re not getting from the very neutral colors & safe art.
If you look at some of the posted inspo pics, look carefully at the higher contrast levels for neutrals- the black & white room has the white chairs with dark legs, & bold art repeating that, if you are averse to “ colors “, and then if you do have some favorite colors, look at the richly colored artwork- which could even be inexpensive ( relatively) framed posters.
So I think you need less stuff, but more fun, colorful or high- contrast art, then over time could see if you want to change chairs or table to coordinate ( or vice versa, but It’s harder to go out & buy new furniture I think, until you get more of your vision and then only if different furniture would really be useful ( if need better size, more comfortable, or especially fun style).

Great feedback thank you

Select a large canvas for the back wall and if you like, select a color from the canvas for the drywall.

Wih the size of the table cand chairs you don't have the room for plants on the floor in that space

@sheloveslayouts I agree, at least a dimmer switch and a bulb that is not so blueish. For softer yet useful lighting, get a Drum Shade pendant with frosted diffuser. We have one and it's great. The light is directed down onto the table but no bare bulbs.

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I really like these. Thanks

Art is from Wayfair…”The studio along the way” set of 4 by Jardine

It looks like a dark corner, place 3 large black framed mirrors on the back wall, it will seem larger and will reflect light. Ikea Nissedal is a nice one and not expensive.

Oh I love that. Never thought about placing three mirrors there.

With the mirrors, I'm not sure I would want to watch myself eat lol. If you use framed art with glass, the glass reflects the light in the room quite effectively

I’m thinking about painting the area white dove and changing out the chairs to make it more off white. I’m also going to remove the leaf from the table to make it a little smaller.

I’m may also change the flooring to match the rest of the first floor which is a dark brown wood plank. Pictures will be coming down.