Question: why keep it? It is too small for that wall and doesn't go with your other furnishings. As for a centerpiece being the kitchen area I would do a bowl of fresh fruit or fresh flowers. Low so people can see across the table.

I’m trying to force it to work, I guess :-)
One less thing to buy!

If you are going to work with the piece, I would:

include black in the table decor

simplify display in the cabinet (omit the rolled napkins and a few other items)

use something with height on top of the cab—-do you by chance have brass candlesticks?

All good ideas. I have tall black candlesticks but not brass and I agree that would help. Maybe a big trailing green plant on top too.
Ami trying too hard? Is it just too different in style to use?

I just think it looks lonely. Tall plant to the right, a chair to the left, art above.

It needs height.

Some inspiration:

Gold Mansion at Turtle Creek · More Info

Contemporary Dining Room · More Info

Great photos - thank you! They both help me envision a change. It definitely needs some height and I’m thinking something to really soften the piece, like a lush plant

I see why they left it behind. If you decide to keep it add more black to that wall by way of picture frames or black and white photos. These must be big enough to not dwarf the space. You also have a nice corner for a large plant in a black pot.

Okay that made me LOL — “I see why they left it behind.”
Is it that bad?

You have to start playing around with things until you hit on the right arrangement. It is a nice piece and you can make it look great there.

INSIDE - Don't use it as a display cabinet. Give it a purpose so it seems like it should belong there. Take everything out. Do the shelves come out? If so, remove the top one. If you have booze put it in there and make this a bar cabinet. Booze on the top shelf. Some glasses below.

Don't drink? Store some white dishes in there - they will compliment your chairs and look purposeful.

ON TOP - Find the right arrangement for the top. Two objects for the top, one can be a pedestal bowl, lean a piece of framed artwork on the wall to give it some height. What is the wood thing on the top shelf? Try that on top with something two other things. Odd numbers work well.

Here are some tops of cabinets. Not saying these are pretty or would work for yours, but they give an idea of how to place more on top of yours to anchor it and have it not look so lonely in your room.

Your space looks modern but cozy. Your table is lovely. I don't think it needs anything on top of it as a center piece.

Thank you, Kendrah. I have my china set that, like most of you, I never use. It’s cream or some kind of off-white with a small gold band. I could put some of that in there!
And the wood thing on the top shelf is a really simple, pretty wine rack which happens to be momentarily empty!!

I like the suggestion of leaning some framed art on top. You could also do a gallery on the wall of maybe 4 frames.

Yup, I can see envision that. Thank you

@yomama55 IMHO, that is an interesting piece & adds some nice flavor to the space. The clean lines of it fit well with your dining set too. The black fits nicely with the black countertops, black chair legs & looks like black pattern in rug. It looks dramatically better with your candlesticks on top & plant to the side. I love @Kendrah suggestions & think she’s nailed it. I would definitely put your winerack on top & fill it up! A large art either leaning or hanging would provide the top balance it needs. Do you know anything about the piece? Metal cabinet with glass doors sounds like an old commercial display case or - the metal makes me think of some kind of medical office storage. Does it have a glass top too?

Yup, it’s glass on top and mirror on the back and bottom which makes me think it was a display case in its former life. I think the first thing I said when I saw it was, “it looks like it belongs in a jewelry store.”

It will cost you too much to make it work.

IT'S TOO SMALL FOR THE WALL!

Once you add all the items on top and on the sides, the cabinet will disappear.

You can keep it but place it on a wall where the ceiling is much lower

I’m laughing at your comment in ALL CAPS — “ITS TOO SMALL FOR THE WALL”
That’s why I posted - for real opinions. Thank you :-)

Well - okay - maybe it’s not a piece you’d buy because “ITS TOO SMALL FOR THE WALL” but really - you said it was left with house so it’s free, right? And, where does one find a lower ceiling than what’s in the daytime rooms in most homes? You can make it look its best right where it is with the suggestions offered that do improve the look of it in the space. Unless you’re anxious to run right out & buy a bigger cabinet or console to put in its place. My only other thought on use of this cabinet is maybe in a bathroom as towel storage. I think it’s an interesting piece so I’d try to find a space for it. Since it’s heavy I suggest mover pads made for hard floor surfaces - they have them for moving on rugs & on wood floors. Come in very, very handy.

I like the cabinet but it doesn’t fit in that room at all. In the bathroom with rolled towels and baskets of toiletries? In a hall full of books? Daughters bedroom painted pink and full of stuffed animals? Just not in the dining room looking sad and leftover.

Nice! With your candle stick and floor plant addition, it almost doesn't look TOO SMALL FOR THE WALL.

Yes, put your nice china in there. If you don't use it, you can at least see it! And, every one in a while start to grab the top plate and eat your toast on it in the morning. I have a set of super fancy Limoges tea cups that my were my great-great grandmother's. I've started drinking hot tea out of them in the winter when I sit down to read. It is so nice to actually use this fancy stuff!

I prefer 3 shelves vs 4 and how simplly the shelves are styled. Are your shelves adjustable? Also, do you plan to add drapery panels to the window?

It is too short and to small for the wall move it out put it in the closet for accessories and get a proper buffet Now you are trying to make it work by spending money on a bunch of stuff for no reason. that should not be displayed anyway.

I like what you've done so far.

Consider moving the plant to the right by the window so it looks more natural next to the window. If budget allows get a couple pots to better display the plants and compliment with your lighting. I would prefer art next to those candlesticks instead of the plant, but that's me.

For a table centerpiece - I think a bit of texture would be nice, love this fabulous Crocheted bowl from Neo, chunky simple goodness

⬆️ exactly! wrt black plant stands, plant location, artwork

Sell it

It’s not great style & size wise and I think adding accessories only brings more attention/actually takes away from your lovely room. If you are ok with the small changes, then it‘s an easy decision. If interested, see what you could get on Marketplace and put the money towards large art for now and when budget permits place something under, as length/proportions are important as well.

Keep it minimal inside the cabinet..remove the very small items…add minimal art over the cabinet and add a large black vase with dramatic branch…give it intention….remove the tree…very pretty dining room.

Its all wrong for that lovely room. It does anything but warm up the room, which the rest of your furnishings are doing nicely.

It would be easy to move around your house to a better spot with furniture sliders. The cabinet really isn’t the right scale for the DR.

Of course you can replace the black cabinet and I particularly like the one below suggested by @Maureen

However, should you decide to keep it you can see the visual below where I stage the inside of the cabinet with all white items, show decor on top and a tall plant in the corner by the window.

I would replace the chandelier with a black one (no brass) and suspend it at so that the bottom of the chandelier is 30 to33 inches above the table top. I also suggest you replace the blinds with fabric roman shades (in black & cream, can be linear or pattern) for a warmer look.

I would use the black cabinet as a bar….add wine glasses and a decanter…maybe store some beautiful liqueur bottles..add a small wine holder with a bottle of wine..have fun I do think the minimal look of the cabinet fits your room..sometimes you have to through the rules out and just enjoy it!

It's too small, use it elsewhere and find something larger (wider and taller) for that wall.