replacing your chandelier with a natural materia pendant in a size as big as you can afford would also soften the space (along with more big leaved plants)

You should bring your chandelier lower, including the one you have now

You could hang textile art, including macrame, or something textural.

Colorful large art on the one wall, textured drapery panels that are stationary, a large tree at the window. If I selected something for the floor I’d consider a jute or sisal flat woven area rug. Cushions on those classic chairs?….nope.

What I notice more than anything is the white outlets on the dark cabinets. Spending a few bucks to replace those with matching black or dark bronze outlets would go a long way in my opinion. I also would not want the edge of the carpet so close to the walkway because it can be a trip hazard.

😂I’ve never thought about the outlets.

do you want people to hang out in your space and be comfortable eating together or sit them on hard "classic"chairs (you can now buy everywhere like any other chair?) You can have fun with "classics" with comfort and color -- or you can buy Home Depot huge splotch art, scratchy rugs people can trip on and I guess the drapes you don't want.

box.

think outside of it

fwiw, one of the things about the knock-offs of Wegner's original wishbone is that they substitute a wood seat for Wegner's original woven seat, which was a unique material with a lot of give. Wegner never meant for people to be sitting on hard wood.

and if you want to really one-up the ideologues, you can still buy the cushions designed for his chairs for those who wanted extra comfort (they only come in dull colors)

https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/seating/dining-room-chairs/hans-j-wegner-cushion-wishbone-chair-ch24/id-f_26770132/

I think that size rug would be fine, and I wouldn’t worry that it’s not centered with the window. As far as would it be awkward to walk over the corner to get to the kitchen — it wouldn’t for me, I have a few in my house I regularly walk over corners of … but I can’t say for you. You might find you prefer no rug.

Can you show the the room(s) adjoining the dining room? From in front of the two big windows? It would help to see how the rooms flow, decor, other rugs, etc.

I agree with getting curtains or nice shades, for closing at night. You have these big, dark, reflective holes after dark and it does impart a cold feel, imo. If you do curtains, I’d hang them from in-between the top window and bottom window.

Oh, wait! I just noticed you have another window in there with shutters. Hmm. I might consider putting shutters on the other (lower) window, too, and a Roman shade or solar shade for the kitchen windows. You could keep the shutters completely open during the day for the view, they wouldn’t be in the way I don’t think.

Regardless, if you decide on curtains, I’d do both windows in the dining room.

Hang your art, or other art, get a dimmer on that light fixture, and enjoy your room. :)

There are a variety of ways that you could soften your dining room. You could try window treatments, a new chandelier, plants, a rug, some artwork, and even seat cushions. Below you will find many of our dining room designs we have completed for our clients. Take a moment to look and you might find some more ideas.

Mueller Modern Scandinavian Farmhouse | Featured On Dwell · More Info

Entertaining Space · More Info

Tranquil Minimal Modern Townhouse | As seen on Dwell.com · More Info

Westlake Moody Modern Duplex · More Info

Rosedale Warm Modern Ranch House · More Info

Atomic Ranch MCM Main House · More Info

I realize that your photo could be a little off, but that light fixture that lights up the room like a garage should be changed

Maybe remove the globes and install fabric shades for each bulb?

I would add a high mounted wide drapery rod with dramatic drapes that sit to the sides of that window. And, yes, a rug.