A picture in daylight with the blinds raised would be nice? : )

The light seems very unsuited to the style of table . .The rug is a bit small, and perhaps not needed at all.

Yes more art, Yes to a different window treatment.

It isn't a "dining room."....it's a breakfast area , directly off the kitchen. Don't try to make it something it is not.

Show more spaces, as we really have no sense of what your style is and use DAYlight.

I ditto Jan's reply.

Ditto also.

The rug is tiny. The rug’s greens are too dark and don’t blend with the wall green; try a jute/burlap color instead.

Why are the blinds closed up tight?

No rug since bigger will just create a tripping hazard since the fridge is right there. Open the blinds for sure. The light seems an odd choice with the table set . I think the art needs a lighter frame and another piece of art on the empty wall. Take the stuff off the cabinet and really a kitchen eating space is not formal so head chairs are not a good choice .. Is this the only eating space in the home ? Why all the natural light blocked ? We need info.

The color of the blinds doesn't go with the wall color. Unless the lighting in the picture is making the contrast look worse than it does in person, you need to change one of them.

Consider …

… removing the rug.

… replacing the mini-blinds with curtains, and including blackout lining for more light control if desired. Adding privacy sheers if privacy is a concern.

… finding two paintings, prints, or posters, and framing them if they aren't framed. Hanging one in each of the "blank" areas on either side of the larger window.

… replacing the table runner with placemats at each place.

… living with all those changes for a while before deciding whether or not you want to replace the hanging light fixture. It doesn't seem to "fit" your table and chairs, but it's very nice on its own merits. So, I wouldn't be in a hurry to change it till seeing the effect of the other changes (if you make them).

The rug is so undersized you might consider not having one.

Not sure the color of the bulbs in your chandelier is correct. Might lookl look better a bit warmer in coloration.

Add a tall plant

The storage cabinet should not look like it's jammed in the space. I removed it.

The gray blinds aren't helping the space. This is why you usually match the blinds to the white trim color, as it gives you flexibility to change wall colors and other items. I am going to guess that these were put in during the gray trend and the walls were also probably painted in some shade of gray.

Great suggestions! Are the blinds actually white and just appear gray in your pic?

I find there is an overall disconnect with kitchen, the chandelier, rug, and sideboard area. Maybe start with vertical prints next to the window and use them as your jumping off point to pull the room together slowly…if interested.

I’d remove the rug, replace the table runner and window treatment, and rethink accessories.

Please add photos of ALL FOUR SIDES OF THE ENTIRE SPACE. Pros on Houzz evaluate a Design Dilemma by seeing the whole space.

--Remove rug as others have said. While it defines the space, a dining rug needs to be large enough for chairs to push back all the way on the rug, but your fridge is there.

--The window treatments are the biggest problem. Get light wood colored bamboo shades that echo golden floor and sideboard. Maureen showed some great inspiration photos. This will upgrade the dining area but not too formally. If you still need some oomph, then add lightweight ceiling to floor curtains.

Aurora Silk Curtain, 84x52 · More Info

--Yes, the rather traditional dining furniture and light fixture don't play well together but it may be out of budget to change either. Try art work, window treatments first.

--Move your colorful art work to the wall to the left of the window. Get one vertical art work to the right of the window and two smaller art works for over the sideboard. Colorful food art that echo the colors of your existing art work would look great.

"Bartlett Pears", Original Wall Art by Afekwo · More Info

"Persimmons”, Small Sized Food Painting by Artist Bhavna Misra · More Info

--Put light wood or cork placemats on the table instead of the runner to coordinate with new bamboo shades, sideboard, and light wood flooring.

Good ideas! I'll take all your constructive suggestions and see how it will all connect. And yes, this is our dining area. The other place we can eat is the kitchen counter.

Yeah, I know about the rug so when we're ready, we might change it to the right size. Of course, budget is is a huge part of it.

I

I don't think you need to worry about a larger rug-I think you should remove it altogether. It's too small for the space and as Patricia said, the correct size will interfere with the refrigerator. IMO, woven blinds that are close to the color of the floor and/or cabinets are more appropriate in a casual eating space. You can buy them lined to help with light control. A softer color print over the cabinet, a plant in the corner, and then another piece of art or even two stacked to the left of the window would add more interest to the space. I like a 36" table runner that still leaves room for placemats. Then I would add a pretty decorative bowl to the center of the table. Walmart actually has some very pretty ones for a reasonable price.

I have found some great items on Marketplace and if budget is a concern and you have patience, maybe check every so often.

Don't get a rug! A bigger one will come too close to the fridge and become a tripping hazard as Patricia points out. The direction to go in since it's part of the kitchen is "classy casual" not formal traditional, which is for separate dining rooms and not a space that directly abuts a fridge. But it can be really attractive with the right art and window treatments.

When budget allows consider new lighting and/or dining set. Two round ones like this one in light wood but dark finish to link to dining table for a more transitional look.

I agree with many things said here:

-remove the cabinet and vacuum next to fridge, it looks too cluttered which you said you wanted to avoid;

-no rug needed; you need 8-10 inches for chair clearance anyway; also the rug you have is dark and doesn’t do much for the room;

• move the table to the left, which centers it in the room; however then your light piece will be more off center than it already is; if you replace the light, center it in the room;

-fabric shades to replace blinds; will bring in a natural feature; they can be room darkening if you like; maybe a layer of sheers

for softness if you like;

Congratulations on your new house!

debra

Agree no rug. this one needs to be removed.