Beverly, thanks for weighing in. The curtains you posted look similar to my original ones. The light ones that I recently purchased are 80% linen. I thought they were billowing because they are too long and need to be hemmed?

I’m still deciding on the curtains.

Jinx, thanks again. The rug in my family room is navy and cream so I thought I should make sure there is blue in the dining room too.

Oh, goodness, sorry again. I thought it was black — I should’ve asked! 🥴

I’m not a fan of the tab top curtains, the look more country.

Please don’t apologize. I REALLY appreciate your input.

Beverly, I love the last rug and solid blue curtains you posted. Where would I find them?

A drapery panel with tabs at the top will never hang in pleats and IMO always look sloppy because of that.

To keep things simple I like panels that have a heading that forms pleats when they are slid on a rod. Looks neater when hanging there.

Some options

or

darker

Love that last image, Celery! That looks wonderful. I like Beverly’s ideas, too.

Can’t wait to see what you decide, OP. :)

Jinx! Last image was made according to your finding for fun, that I like.

Two thoughts. Looking at the photographs, I keep feeling that the table should be oriented the other direction, running with your floor boards instead of across them. I don’t know the dimensions of your room, but thought it worth mentioning. It would offer a nicer view of the dining area from the living room as well, since you’d see the head of your table. The second thought is that your light is mounted too close to the ceiling. You’re getting a glaring hot spot on the ceiling instead of more diffused light for the room. Trying other bulbs, too, might help with the quality of light. It’s amazing what a difference the right bulbs can make.

Celery! Wow! Thank you. I love them both. Now I’m even more confused. Lol!

Ok. I switched the direction of the table and lowered the light. What do you all think?

Yes! Much better flow, I think. Looks more natural. :)

I think the table looks really good that direction. Once you get a rug in it will be really warm and welcoming.

Yes to the table turn! Huge difference. The other table orientation was undermining your efforts. I like the color of the new curtains, because now the windows and the corner cabinet look more harmonious, which then draws more attention to the table.

I don’t know if you like red — I saw this and thought it would look wonderful with all the neutrals and warm woods:

https://www.potterybarn.com/products/channing-persian-rug-indigo/?pkey=call-rugs

And this is such a gracious rug. Beautiful, soft colors:

https://www.rugs-direct.com/Details/LoloiIIRugs-Beatty-BEA03/137743

One more because it’s similar to one you posted above. Really nice pattern:

https://www.rugs-direct.com/Details/LoloiRugs-Leigh-LEI02/142543/229446

I think the red might be too busy for me. I do like the last one. Should I try to stick with the same colors or style or both with the rug in family room? The rugs will be visible from one to the other.
What do you think of this one?

Or this? I’ve been looking for wool, navy and cream to stay within the same material and colors of my other rug.

All that matters is if you like it! Here it is with both your curtain colors:

Just got this rug. Trying in out. Not sure about it...It can be returned. I’d love opinions! Thanks in advance!

I like that a lot! Great choice — it really livens up the room, and looks awesome with all the light colors around it. I’d keep it!

Glad you posted, I was wondering if you’d found one. Love updates. :)

Is it too big?? That’s my only concern. I love the style and the color it brings in. I’d throw a throw on each bench btw

HU, a throw on each bench? Can you explain that? I agree, the rug is pretty big. It’s a 9x12.

The table measures 3x7

It looks like you still have a decent amount of floor showing around the edges, and with this size, you'll avoid that horrid problem of chairs or benches not fitting on the rug when they're actually being used.

Of course we don’t always have to follow ”rules” to a T, but as a general guide, your rug size is fine. Photos always skew dimensions a bit, plus we’re only seeing one side of the room.

I think it looks great.

I hear what petula is saying but it still looks too big. I mean the table doesn’t have a lot of visual interest because it’s two plain benches. Which is fine!! I love it!! I just think if you put a Throw blanket even over one of the benches it’ll add some texture to the space. Possibly add a cushion to the head chairs as well. Sorry if I wasn’t clear lol

A throw on a dining bench? Sorry, that is just ridiculous.

I think you made a great choice of rugs. It doesn't look too big to me. Personally, I love throws, but I keep them in the living room and bedroom, and if I'm really stretching the season out - by the fire pit.

I like the rug. How about darker curtains to pick up the darker color in the rug. Just a thought. Good luck with your room.

I also like the table this way. Really opens up the space.

I think what HU may have been referring to was a “chair throw” for the bench - maybe something like this:

As I suggested 12 days ago, "turn the table," and you finally did! Now you'll get somewhere!

Your room looks really nice so far. I love the new rug and the drapes. I’m not sure if you already responded to Beverly’s comment on the tab top drapes - Do you see? What if you removed the tabs and made them back tab or hung them with rings? I think it would look neater.

I really like the rug and the table switched this way! I agree it might look a tiny bit too big but don’t know that it would bother me in real life.. It is much better than a rug too small and I think the rug looks really nice and cozy with the rest of the room.

I love the rug and love the look of the table with this new orientation. I don’t think the rug looks too big, it looks generous but not too big. Instead of a “throw” on a bench which might just look messy, how about adding a woven, cream color table runner to warm up the look of table & add a bit of texture. I also agree about changing the drapes to a tab back style. That would shorten the bottoms & make the tops a bit more tailored or neat looking. I’m not a fan of puddling drapes on floors.

Your original curtains had "ties" -- were they somehow too informal? The blue seemed ok with paint color....

I would start with wallpaper, rugs, and upgrade the lighting.

Here are a few of my favorites that may help you out.

dining chairs

dining tables

lighting

Read through all the posts and not wild about the size of the rug you bought. I liked the first one suggested with the blues, look for something similar. Here is my possibly radical suggestion. That corner unit draws your eye away from everything. Consider taking the door off, use spackle and touch up paint to hide the hinge holes. Then either DIY or hire someone to come in and cut off that curved top. It would be awesome if that curved top was act nailed on and easier to remove. then touch up paint anything that needs it. If you must need a door, take it to see if you can get the panes removed and a whole piece of glass replaced. And lastly, when you decided on the rug and curtains, paint the inside of the corner unit walls one of the accent color. or the same as the chest. Leave the outside of it the current color. I think the changes to that built in corner unit could go a long way with changing the look in the room. And for sure a different light fixture!

Sorry don't know if you've said you like the corner unit [though a bit crowded in]. Any thoughts about your other unit and how that works in the same room....

I know OP said the corner unit is a built it...and like Everdebz asked if OP likes it or not...I wonder if removing it is an option. My first thought when looking at the space is that it would look so much better without that corner unit.

I like the corner unit it gives the room
Some charm and I am sure dates back to when the house was built. Is it the color of the trim? It looks much more creamy? I would also still lower the chandelier a little bit. Or get something a little larger. I do t love the rug and I am not sure why. It’s goi g to be a great room. I would add some plants.

Thanks so much for all of your comments and for taking the time to offer your feedback, thoughts and advice!

We love the table turned and the kids have actually been having nightly ping pong matches on it!

I’ve decided to keep the corner cabinet, I guess it’s not actually built in but I do like it. We will keep the rug, too, even if it’s a bit big it really cozies you the space and my pup loves it.
I’m working on the curtains and adding more plants.

I’d love (more) suggestions for the light fixture. I’m looking for one with shades of some sort...I really dislike the brightness and glare of naked bulbs although I love the look of many of the recommendations. Thanks again! I love all the support!

You have a beautiful room and I really quite like your corner cabinet, it makes the room interesting and cozy, like your rug too and don't think it looks too big. About the glare from the lights, whatever type of lighting you get I highly recommend you get a dimmer switch. We've had one on our chandelier for years and I couldn't do without it, even when eating I have it dimmed just a little. Make sure you get the right kind of dimmer for your bulbs, example LED's to my understanding take a different type of dimmer. Wishing you lots of fun times in your new room!

Update. Curtains are hemmed and altered. I’m using temporary shades on the light fixture until I purchase a new one to help with the glare. The dimmer switch helps, too.
Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice and suggestions. Happy holidays!

It looks wonderful! Love seeing updates. :)

Omg looks amazing!!!! Absolutely beautiful. Love!!