I like it the way it is.

Do you really need a buffet?

~ add curtains, chandelier, new lighter area rug, and art. This room will be full.

I like your area rug but it is lost to the floor.

you could also put a table under the window if you wanted.

I like it the way it is but I think cowhide rugs look much better when they are not parallel with the furniture. I would put it at a slight angle.

I like the second picture the best.

Picture #3 with the table running horizontally to the window wall.

Nice rug, but too small for the table and chairs and too much of the same with the living room rug and the deer picture. In your smaller dining room you can get away with no rug. Adding a chandelier (rectangular) and some window treatments will make the room so attractive.

Consider wall hung shelves instead of a buffet as you have lots of wall space.

Following......

Get out the painter's tape and measuring tape. You need 36-42" of walkspace around the table. Does that help? If adding a chandy in place of the builder grade ceiling fixture, leave the table where it will be over it and less than 36" above it.

You need 24" of clear space to pull out chairs and be seated. You won't have any walk space behind the chairs on the 26" side, so people can't excuse themselves from the table without others having to get up and get out of their way. Sit down at the table and contemplate how a dinner party would work. Also, a rug under the table should be a minimum of 24" larger than the table top on all sides so the pulled out chairs don't fall off the edge of it. Painter's tape will help figure that one out.

>>>>

The hide under the table is not working.

LOVE your dog! I like picture 3 better.

You need 24" of floor past the table top so the chairs can be pulled out and sat in. Table top size plus 36-42" to the wall/baseboard (or to furniture at the wall) and 24" of that 36-42" is for the chairs to pull out from under the table and be sat in for a meal. That leaves 12-18" of walk space behind the chairs during dinner.

will that size be equil distance all the way around? considering the table is so close to the back wall im not sure you can get that 24 inches on that side ?

I would address balancing the room out with a light fixture and curtains first, and some art...

Have you tried turning the table to align with the double window and the door to the den/living area? That might allow for the larger rug. It might very well be worth it to move the light fixture location so a chandy could hang above it and be seen through the double window. The light looks to be off center in the room and won't work for a chandy if you want the table to center on a rug.

Have you considered turning it on the diagonal?Just an option to try.