Just my 2 cents …. I wouldn’t try to incorporate those wood panels into a gallery wall ” to help soften the overall look”. I would think about adding a large live indoor plant or tree in the area where you have the high (?) chair & add a large vase or whatever other decor to your dining table first & see if that helps. What does this area look into? Other decor in the area needs to be considered.

Agree with above. The current grouping of 3 reads as a finished statement asking only for color on the table and 1 or 2 plants.

If a gallery wall is your desire, keep 1 panel— either vertically or horizontally, and add pieces around it.

Agree with nothing more on the wall and adding color and plants.

I wouldn't mix the two. One or the other.

If you're going for a farmhouse vibe... and you are especially fond of the panels. I would paint the chairs black and replace the light fixture with a black fixture. Leave the table base white.

Lower it to 30-34 inches off the tabletop.

If they aren't already, center the panels on the light fixture and the dining table.

Add a tall green plant at the window corner to balance.

Add precut molding to the wall to "frame" the panels. Paint the wall and the new frames on color. (I happen to like this color to go with the furniture).

Add a floor plant. Not lovin' the chandelier, but it would look better spray painted black.

You table does not look center to that wall.

I agree...paint the chandelier black or burnished gold....do wood framing on the wall...with green accent paint. Forget the gallery wall. It's a small room...you'll overwhelm it.

@oncape...nice!

Thank you for all your comments. Consensus says to leaving the wall art as is!

To add a few things... My back is facing the kitchen (all open concept). We just went through a remodel and unfortunately decided to align the chandelier with the kitchen island pendants but now have realized it is off-center of the room. It will be getting fixed at a later date.

I have a rambunctious toddler so unfortunately, having a plant in the corner (which is my ultimate goal) or having decor on the table is not an option at the moment. We will also be replacing the table and chairs at some point.

Just a question of curiousity... why would painting the chandelier black be better? When we were remodeling the house, I really struggled with the look because ultimately I dont think I have a certain style - I like what I like. Also, the rest of the house is brushed nickel and wouldn't one fixture black look odd?

@K Laurence @lisaam @chloebud @Lyn Nielson @Lyn Nielson @oncape @NiCOZ5

The black chandelier helps to repeat the black from the panels and pull the room together a bit more - you could also leave it and paint your chairs black (super easy to do with a paint sprayer) this was a game table I did for our basement

I would not suggest adding a gallery wall with those panels. The panels are enough. If you want an actual art gallery wall, and if you have art that you like and that you are interested in hanging (not just random filler stuff) then replace the panels with an art gallery wall.

One, black metal light fixture would not look out of place in your house with all the brushed nickel; and although I have not read any previous comments- I am guessing that people are suggesting a black fixture due to the black panels. Your light fixture does not have to match the panels; so if you do not want black, don’t do black. But having a touch of black elsewhere in the space could balance things. Maybe a black pottery vase on dining table. Or maybe a table runner, with a bit of black in it.

ETA:

Because you have quite a lot of wall, I might consider separating the three wood panels ever so slightly. Not too much, but enough that they can breathe a bit while proportionally filling more of the wall. No additional art on that wall.

No to the gallery wall.

Something is off in this room. If the table is centered under the chandelier, then the wall plaques should be centered on the table.

Select a large plant/tree for the corner to take up some of the space.

The wall panels look great. A gallery will add clutter, not softness. Any softeness you can add seems counter to your toddler’s habits. Just wait 6 months to finish this room - they eventually learn NO and consequences, and your decorating world will open up.

You do not have to coordinate light finishes throughout your house and can switch them room by room, but this is an open room so you need to complement other lighting within view of this room.

NO gallery at all with those pieces in fact there is no gallery that hangs a bunch of unrelated stuff all together on a wall. Those pieces IMO do not work with the table and chairs that is why they bug you. Two very different styles, move those to maybe a hallway or somewhere where the furniture style does not compete . Then a nice large piece of art on that wall will be the answer not a bunch of wall clutter

Honestly...in my post...I was suggesting you NOT use the black metal panels at all. Open concept is GREAT! But your space is still small...and to pull the look together the table and black panels do not go together....there's no way to get them to play together.

I’d actually hold off addressing the wall until you are ready to redo the lighting, as they should work with each other style wise. Once table is centered, consider spacing two lights, leaving the first location where it is and it will save you having to repair and paint ceiling. Like this, but table horizontal.

The wall art looks like it is iron. It's wood?? The OP chose her light fixture. Maybe it's the 'art' that could be painted.,since its the odd man out??? DO NOT paint your chairs DIY!! They will not hold up to a toddler or heavy use.

I'd paint them lighter rather than the harsh black if all your other colors are on the light side.

If a floor plant doesn't make sense right now, you could do a pretty hanging plant in the corner that would be out of reach but still add some softness. If you used a planter that was black and wood, it would bring your artwork and table colors together in one place.

I think you could use them with a gallery wall but they would have to be separated and one or two of them hung horizontal. It would have to be a full wall of pictures with the panels mixed in. I would even add in a few wall planters mixed in.