Thanks Lyn. What do you suggest for chair and stool options?

Also, while you're doing all the above, the light over the table should be lowered to hang about 32-36” from the table.

I would start by lowering you dining pendant, the bottom should hang at 30" to max 36" above the table (same concept for the island pendants).. Everything looks gray or other similar colours of the same intensity. Introduce lighter & darker shades for contrast. I've stayed monochromatic in the visual below showing cream dining chairs and curtains (on a black rod), and black & white cabana stripe upholstered counter stools. Then find large art that you like...

PS Your dining pendant should be centered on the dining table, not sure it is looking at your picture.

I know the rule about pendant height; however, it is purposely too high for a couple of reasons. It is not centered on the table and having it higher makes it less obvious. Someday we will replace the table with a round one which will allow it to be centered. Also, when we have parties in the backyard we push the table out of the way to allow for the flow of traffic outside. If it was lower guests would smack their heads on it.

A larger canvs for the wall or a pair of canvases for the wall.

The light fixture is mounted too high and not centered over the table. Move the table.

I'd get larger art and if you want to mitigate the gray, some new DR chairs. No picture molding etc. I'd also change the drapes so they are not puddling.

I think it looks great! If you wanted to keep the picture as it goes well with the drapes and chairs, I’d suggest a medium-high plant in the spot to the left of the picture where there’s perhaps an air-purifier. And also an area rug under the table to define the space.

A buffet sideboard cabinet will go nicely there to store all your dining ware, and when you have visitors you can place your trays of food there.

Melissa, please write the dimensions of the entire wall area with the painting and around it, including the depth of the cabinet and the distance from the corner of the wall to the door.

How a bout a much larger piece of art one that really seems too large would work well. IMO picture molding does not say modern and creates other issues like where to hang art . Maybe a piece almost like graffitti even that will give you that WOW factor much more than trim only plopped on one wall

The wall is 9 ft long. The ceiling is 10 ft. The cabinet sticks out 25”. The corner to the sliding door is 20”. The dining area is small which is also why I struggle with it. It is only 10’9 from the wall to the living room. Here is a side photo.

I agree with suggestions for more interesting, larger & more colorful art. Maybe a more interesting table center arrangement too - a colorful bowl with plant sitting in it? Color is what’s missing IMO. Given your info about size, flow & use of space, the light & furniture arrangement is the best & most useful as is.

I’d measure and the bigger the better and even consider a pot light - the space would be transformed. These are on Etsy (love the colors for your room/really like the first one) and they come in various sizes.. if interested. Also if you turned the table it could be centred under the light and importantly, lined up with the art.

I am not sure your light will be centered over a future round table. The light looks off-center and would look better positioned in the center of the eat-in space (i.e., moved away from the patio doors a bit and towards the kitchen).

To prevent people from hitting their heads on the light during parties, use a fixture with a chain rather than a pole (installed at the correct height over the table) and install a ceiling hook so the fixture can be raised temporarily to be flush to the ceiling.

You can fit 2 pieces of art, using a similar size to the one currently on the wall.

In regards to the table light if you cant center it and often move the table out, just replace with some evenly spaced can lights over the area.

I think the light doesn’t look centered to the space because of the angle of the photo and the position of the table. But measuring the space it is actually dead center. We just have the table not centered because it feels tighter by the patio door. I’ve been looking at larger art but it’s so hard to find something I like. I think the idea for different chairs is a good one. And I moved in a plant from another room to where the air filter was and that helped a bit.

.

Via chispa, is there a coordinate painting? I like the one you have and think two would work well. The drapes and the stripe pillow on the sofa work together, but there is nothing else that I can see from your photo that coordinates. So, new drapers and more of the green for sofa pillows.

And, I like what you have done with the walls and cabinet colors. Very nice.

Pottery Barn

Or gray to match the cabinets.

Plant is nice in corner - it adds a pop of color. I’d sit it right on floor. Looks a bit top heavy on the light table.

art is too small, so its drifting.

plus fix the light fixturess just look silly

turn the table 90 degrees so it fits right

moving the diaper genie or whatever a that white appliance is will help

One much larger piece of artwork will fill the wall and ground this area. If you start putting sconces and multiple pieces of art, it doesn't give enough weight to this area of the room.

I like what you said about adding weight. My house is a modern style but I really want to lean more towards organic, natural modern vs contemporary. That said, would a William Morris print be totally out of place?

Melissa, please show me the entire room. I want to offer you something, but you need to understand what else is left behind the scenes.

@tachch Here are a couple more pictures

Melissa, hello. This is what I got. Take a look and maybe it will give you some ideas and solutions. The shelf is very shallow - about 1/3 or even 1/4 of the depth of the cabinet. My opinion is that you need real volume there, and you won't solve your problem with just pictures or any "flat" solutions (precisely because of the cabinet's proximity to the wall).

You have also been offered to replace your bar stools before. I also think that they do not suit you in either shape or color.

Notice how the color of the bar stools looks from a different angle.

Everything is of course quite conditional, for a general understanding. In order to offer more specifics, it is necessary to discuss in more detail.

But you should introduce accent colors into this room very carefully.

I also recommend replacing the lighting with something colder. For example, with a light temperature of 3000-4000K. Right now, your light is too yellow and this makes all the shades dirty.

@Tachch Hard NO to that wall of clutter that ruins the calm, deliberate vibe she's got going. (Accent color in the bar chairs is worth considering.)

If that was my dining space, I would add a banqeutte along that wall. A minimum seat depth is 18 inches, so you probably do not have enough space to go all the way to the sliding door with the seat. You would probably have to stay about 18 inches to 2 feet away from the sliding door. That would still allow for a 7 foot banquette if it went all the way to the cabinet on the other side. A tall back on the banquette could provide the interest you are looking for on that wall.

A round table like you mentioned might not work, but an oval/oblong one would be nice. Then you could remove the current dining pendant and put in recessed LED’s.

Regarding the "wall of chaos") Such a solution, in my opinion, serves as a wonderful logical conclusion to the furniture row along the wall and with a good imagination, you can imagine there, for example, well-chosen decor (including color accents if the hostess wishes), as well as many, many living plants, especially hanging ones. Or not very many plants - also at will)

Using Kendrah's mockup as example, define an area on the wall of the same dimension Except make it the height of your cabinets. Then fill that defined space with a variety of family photos.

What about changing the function of that space? If you frequently move the table to allow flow of traffic through the sliders, then how about relocating the table all together. Make that area more of a sitting area. Two chairs against the wall with a plant or small end table between them. Then you would have traffic flow AND some color/depth to the wall. Just a thought.

And scrape the popcorn ceiling! It is easy DIY.

And add two levels to the bar and make a table level portion of the island - as sitting on high bar-stools for very long is uncomfortable.

Add a wall to separate the kitchen and remove the "open floor plan" concept as it is not a good plan and is no longer trendy.

Do not lower the pendant over table as others said. You would bump your head on it is if you were doing a craft project or laying out sewing fabric on the table. I would buy a less modern light or mount a light on the ceiling.

A lot of work to do to replace floors, remove popcorn ceiling, and paint cabinets and walls before worrying about pictures on walls. And be sure to buy low or zero VOC paint (they do not sell any of that at Menards). Behr is one of the best paints in low-VOC.

@Melissa Kieser I think you're on the right track just by adding the plant! I agree with larger art or 2 pieces of the same size; a colorful rug under the dining table and a vase, candle holders or a larger arrangement on the table. There are also some really interesting wall murals that are applied like wallpaper. Don't be offended by the rude comments posted by terrib962. I truly don't understand that, but in my experience on houzz, there always seems to be one or two intentionally mean spirited posts along with all the helpful ones!

GM Melissa! Thanks for sharing all your pics! Here's my 2 cents.

Loved corriewisco's tall banquette idea if it will work for the space!

For now, go ahead and move the dining set where you put  it when you want access to the sliders. Don't worry about the light for now. Once you make a decision, a chain on the light fixture might let you swag it wherever you need it. Plus, it is nice out there!

A large art piece is another solution that is easy to put up for now. I personally think it should have some strong color because of the greys, beiges, then dark brown furniture. Greens or browns will still make it feel calm, or you could go with orange, burnt orange, terra cotta . . . You can pick a color out of the art and repeat it with pillows and throws on the couch and chair.  

William Morris: I have seen the look before. I think you might need stronger colors than the 2 you showed--there are some out there.

Love the graffiti idea from the Pro! Here are some more ideas I hope will help you find art you like. Let me know what you think!

I agree, the light doesnt look centered. I would consider a different type of fixture, flush or semi-flush in a more contemporary design. That would avoid having the lamp obstruct traffic flow and seeming too far above the table. The back wall would look nice as a gallery wall. You can find inexpensive sites on line that would help you build from your existing piece and add more color and interest to the space. Also, put a much larger floor plant with an interesting pot in place of the existing plant and stand.

I’ve moved the table so the light is centered since that was one of the biggest comments. I agree it looks much better. It’s a little tight by the sliders but my husband hasn’t complained (yet) lol. Some of the suggestions aren’t feasible as the area isn’t very big. Definitely NOT building walls or completely remodeling a 5 year old house and I happen to love the floors. I will eventually repaint the cabinets to something a bit warmer or with some color but not quite yet. When cabinets get replaced I will likely change the backsplash but counters have to stay. I agree with bigger art or a duo/trio. I like the picture that is there but agree it’s a bit too small. I will keep my eyes peeled for something better. I also agree that a better tabletop display is in order and will likely replace the gray kitchen chairs.

Hello, I just saw this William Morris canvas from when you posted before. Maybe this will show up against the gray/greige better than I'm thinking! Repeating the green might also play it up, and are your curtains this pink color? 

Yes, the curtains are sort of a blush color. I keep them up spring and summer and change them out to dark green in the fall/wjnter.

I think it looks nice in your last update with the plant. I thought your table top decor was fine previously too.

Have you considered a colorful tablecloth, pulling colors from your painting?

Would a grid of 9 pictures be too much here? I found some pictures I liked and just mapped out a rough grid with wrapping paper to get an idea of size. I like how it takes up more of the wall but am concerned the bottom row is too low and I don’t think moving it all up is the answer either.

I like the bookcase

While I prefer one large art work, I like your proposed layout for 9 pieces of art. Good execution depends on the art/framing and hanging them in perfect alignment.

I did not realize at first that you found some pictures. Can we see a few of them if they are not too personal?

I am not a pro. I think the bottom row is depending on where the table and chairs are, and if there is a risk of knocking the pictures down. It was a good move doing a paper layout first! 

A future similar plant on the other side will add symmetry too. 

They are abstract scenes that remind me of our recent trip to Key West.

Your wall looks great!