Beverly's ideas are great since they echo the finishes you have in view--wood floors, white sofa, tan walls. So make similar choices when you're ready. If you're going to have your kids at the table a fair amount, then choose vegan or leather seating and don't get a rug until they're older.

While a bench seat under the picture window would too low for banquette seating, you could add seating where people could casually sit during large gatherings. Or just built a low plant shelf all the way across the window where you can grow some live greenery, screen the view a bit, but still have light coming through.

Or something like this with display shelves for beautiful serving pieces, books, pottery, whatever you want to have displayed and plants below on the window shelf.

an upholstered Bench under the windows for a more casual dining.

keeping the dining table and chairs closer to the wall and leave the outdoor access clear.

As usual, Beverly nails it so I won't add more. Just that I was greatly amused by the lone diner's chair in the dining room. I see a post by a toddler lamenting, "Can't figure out why my dining room doesn't look quite finished. Help!" 👶

It looks like you should be able to easily sit 6 people in the dining room. Below are a few dining room designs we did for our clients which might give you some more ideas for how to resolve your dilemma.

Scandinavian Delight · More Info

Traditional Renovation · More Info

Mid Century Modern Kitchen · More Info

We thought it might be a good idea to included some dining room designs from our portfolio. Notice the tables, chairs, rugs, and side boards.

European Country Flair · More Info

European Country Flair · More Info

Country Estate Transformation: Dining Room · More Info

Sun-Drenched Elegance: Dining Room · More Info