Lovely space. I would get a lower and longer console for the TV . I would centre the dining table in the space more and add a chandelier.

Are the ceilings 9 ft?

Yes 9 footers

I hope the kids swinging on curtains and repairing dry wall is a joke.

The windows in the living area could use some fabric to add warmth to the room.

Fireplace wall looks too staged. The faux ship lap isn't doing it. Taking it down may be an issue for you, so consider painting it the wall color in a satin finish. Leave the trim as is, remove all the smalls from the mantel (because they are covering the trim).

I agree with all the feedback posted.

On the wall painted a color in @BeverlyFLADeziner’s post, it would look great with a long sideboard or console (if enough space) with some large artwork over it. How much room so you have between the back of the chair and the painted wall with the table centered under the ceiling lights?

Any plan for a DR chandelier or rug?

What is the blue cylinder hanging over or off of the DR slider curtain rod?

Replace or remove the DR slider curtain panel that is knotted up or short.

Thank you for the input.

Three little kids and Tarzan moments yanked the slider curtain rod down on the far side.

We probably have room for a console in dining area.

Dining table is normally centered under the can lights.

We were afraid of a chandelier potentially ruining the open concept flow when we built five years ago. We actually had friends building a very similar configuration and took a chandelier house.

We didn’t even think of painting the family photo / dining wall. Great idea. Thank you so much.

Took down a chandelier over their oven concept dining area*

Blue cylinder is an octopus my daughter made in preschool. Slider and area surrounding it is artwork display area for kiddos.

9 ft ceilings are good, but with the width/length of the space, I would not add any beams or any other ceiling treatment, except for crown molding. Anything that brings down the ceiling height is going to make the space appear squat.

Definitely lower the TV and get a lower console. The current position, makes the TV look like it is falling and bringing that wall down, specially when viewed from the kitchen.

I would not add after the thought ceiling adornment to your home. This space has an odd sense of modern, combined with a more rustic fireplace, and that throws me off a bit. Otherwise, I like how simple the space is. I'd remove the shiplap from above the fireplace.

I think what you are craving is to get rid of the bowling alley effect too. Breaking the room up into zones with rugs will do wonders. Get a rug for your dining room area. I wonder if the living room rug is large enough. Others on here know the scoop in rug sizes well and can comment.

Your artwork seems hung a bit high.

I would put a rug under the dining room table to ground that space and add a light fixture as others have mentioned.
I also agree that the styling around the fireplace wall needs work. The whole space is directing the eye to it and it's not paying off. The items on the mantle are too small and don't have enough visual weight. I would try the art on the side wall above the fireplace or get a new piece.
A tall plant next to the fireplace and some pillows on the chairs will also help make the fireplace wall look more interesting.

I like the simplicity of your space. I would not do anything to the ceilings, this will only lower the height of the room. Definitely a lower, and possibly longer television console.

No chandeliers, as you might have the children swinging from them....

Five years is too long for no proper curtains. The rooms need their warmth and grounding. But don't repeat the horrid space between the window and the rod that is on the slider. Please lower it while you are fixing the dry wall. That looks just weird. A dining room seems a dumb place for carpet but a large area rug could also help define it as a room vs a hallway.

They had curtains!

Thanks. We’ve done one previous drywall repair already after a curtain vs child bout and just had another Tarzan moment with our youngest (7, 5 and 3). Active household.

Sincerely appreciate everyone’s feedback.

Get the kids into Parkour/Freerunning!

My youngest attended a gym for a few years. Good exercise and all the kids were very positive and encouraged each other to improve and try new skills. My kid, now a young adult, can still do a back flip!

Yes to rug or chandy over table. Center art on wall on right & might need it bigger.

Another vote for rug under dining table and centered. Fireplace could definitely use a bolder larger one art piece with colors from dining area rug. Something catching and stopping the eye at the end there above fireplace. The windows flanking the fireplace might need matching cabinets for storage or what not underneath. Seems like at the end of the run there needs a stop vibe with some wow factors. If not semi bold art above fireplace, then perhaps stained glass hangings or inserts at those windows. A throw over the back of your sofa in a like color with the rug and art could help with some stops or division in the areas. Definitely a lower console for tv and have tv lowered and flat against the wall.

Floor lamp or table lamp.

If you’re not opposed to the idea of verticals on the slider? Come in many designs and colors. They can be very user friendly and may help with visual heightening of your dining room space as well. Saving the visual space through that area into the living room area.

Can't really comment on decor other than Bev made a great suggestion above. Kudos on very tidy pics as well. Perhaps before more serious and lasting decoration worries, Tarzan and Jane figure a way to explain the difference between indoor and outdoor "play" ....to the seemingly very active monkeys.

Is that a jungle gym structure I see in the back forty out those windows?

Thanks we have Parkour challenges at our house on super cold days. Kids make from fireplace 60’ away to the oven.

They spend a ton of time in the woods and the swing set.

Appreciate everyone’s continued input and suggestions.

Sorry I had 3 boys very active but needed to undestand respect for our whole family home . That said I am not sure what we can do the help much It looks fine to me I do not like rugs under dining tables and for sure not with 3 rowdy kids whom I bet spill at the table too. I would do a lower wider stand for the TV to get it at proper viewing height. No drapes at all maybe would be a good idea. I assume there is no basement in the home so TV and kid play have to happen somewhere . Maybe blinds with no cords could work for windows . I think the house looks well cared for in spite of the kids so not much would I change if you like what you have . As for fake beams or coffers they can work but honestly expensive to do right and I cannot see a benefit . A fun table and chairs would be more my idea of the space change . At least maybe colorful dining chairs and a great new chandelier over the table .Maybe fewer family pics and more art you can all go choose together . I took my kids to galleries from the time they could walk and they have all been able to have a style of art they like and often not my style at all.. On really crappy days I tried to do more crafty stuff and less rough housing in the house maybe try that a few times too

Lovely home - I agree with the tv change, it is the first thing my eye goes too - if it were me, I get a lower console as suggested and then get a Samsung frame TV so you can avoid the hulking black box look -

fwiw sometimes kids get squirrelly and things happen, not a big deal in my mind, a friend has 2 small charming lamps on her dining table (they’re battery operated/chargeable) she puts them on for dinner and turns off the overheads when her grandkids visit and says the lower light level brings down the energy by 50% - thought it was a great idea.

Kudos on trying to have a balance between a very active family and a beautiful home. I suggest no curtains for a while. You have to decide the hill you want to die on. Lol. Curtains might not be it.

I think either a rug under the table to define that area OR a long runner on the side…and then leave the table on the natural wood floor. I like the look of all the natural wood and it sure is easier to swiffer under a table than it is to vacuum.

I like the fireplace as it is.