If an architect could chime in to that would be great too. My husband calls this a Great Hall thinking everything needs to be centered down the beem. IMO I feel that Its more important that the dining room is symmetrical and the table not being directly over the beem isn't as important. If the table is off centered from the hutch the space on the right of the table will be off balance. and the walking path between the dining chairs and the bar stools at the island will be narrower.

IMO the whole vaulted ceiling thing is a PITA usually . Now since you have a built in htuch the table gets center on that and the lighting center over the table get a fabulous light to keep your eye from travelling up BTW make sure the lighting lights the table not the ceiling . IMO the space that is human height is what you decorate now .

Everything is very straight and boxy.

Have you thought about a large round table with leaves?

I have a regular round 60" table and can fit 6 large comfortable chairs around it. I can squeeze in a seventh chair if needed. Larger extended table and slimmer chairs should easily seat 10 - 12.

Agree with Patricia, ignore the beam and center on hutch. Also, be careful with lighting placement. Our friends went through a renovation that included a built in banquet for their dining table but the lighting was centered for the ceiling not for the dining area, so when their table was placed with banquet on one side and chairs on the other, the light fixture was off by about 6”, which of course they didn’t notice until the ceilings were finished, painted etc & furniture was moved back in… We have the same issue in our dining area, there is a built in hutch along one wall, which forces us to have our table off center but light fixture is centered on the ceiling. Makes me crazy, but we are renting so I can’t fix it… Not sure how much your built in will stick out to your dining space, just wanted to mention so you can take this into account as well.

The vault is the focal point.

if the dining light fixture is in the beam, center the table on the light fixture.

I would center on the hutch. Why? Because people will be looking across the room, not UP all the time! Centering it on the hutch will create balance in that space for those sitting and eating there. And organize the expanse of the room on the human scale. I am sure that the vault will be beautiful. BUT, people live on the floor, not the ceiling!

Thank you all for imput. I wantrd thr dining table in the middle of the hutch My husband wants it under the vault. He had an Architect freind come over and he unfortunetly agreed the the husband, understand his design idea. I unfortunetly lost this one and it was pretty quiet around my house for a few days. But I did speak with the Electrician to make sure we can relocate them in the future. Thanks again for your support. Until next dilemma .

I would rethink the hutch then. A lower console table with a piece of art and taller candles etc would keep the eyes down and you will see the table, console, art work as one grouping below the center beam. A tall hutch is going to draw more attention & will look “off”. All about compromises but I was on team
center-on-hutch, so feel your pain :-)

Team Hutch here, too. When you install your hutch (built in or free standing? I would arrange it so that it, too, is asymmetrical. Perhaps a large piece of art, shifted to the left side. A low bowl on the right side. So that the “weight” of the hutch is towards the vault and the dining table appears less un centered on the hutch. I hope that makes sense….

Me again… this kind of illustrates the idea of an a-symmetrical table/console set up
https://www.houzz.com/photos/mid-century-modern-home-remodel-midcentury-dining-room-san-francisco-phvw-vp~121107483
I tried to mock up your photo, but this link to Houzz photo does a better job :-)

Have you tried your table/chair set up with the table perpendicular to the vault?? If you search Houzz for vaulted great rooms, that might give you some ideas.. the issue you have (which I’m sure you are aware of,) is what to do with the space to the right of the table if everything shifts to the left to be centered on the vault… may want to consider a low bench to run along the windows with plants/decor on it??

Have you considered setting up the actual table, chairs and island chairs before finalizing the position of the table and overhead light fixture? Centering the table under the center beam puts the dining room chairs and island chairs very close to one another and cuts into the walkway through the room. If the table will be centered under the center beam, have you considered moving the built in hutch closer to the center beam so it is more aligned with the table?

Howistyle . to be hones I know where I wanted to piut the table - centered on the built in hutch. My problem is my husband. I thought if he read what people said he would see that people don't look up they look straight ahead and how awkard it will look. I brought up changing the table to being perpendicular and he said No. He is stuck on this Great Hall look - dam those viking movies!!!

Sorry about the types

Ptreckel - Sorry this is new construction

Viking movies? Problem solved then Tracy, just put the two GIANT hunting dogs beds on the right hand side of the table to take up that space! Done! LOL As @ptreckel said, nix the hutch and have your electrician on retainer. For what it’s worth, I showed my husband your post and pictures and he looked at me and said, “on the hutch, 100%, why is this even a question?” I will of course remember this as we are also embarking on a home build journey… my “great hall” moment is on the horizon, I can feel it… Deep breath, enjoy the shared experience of building your home & we’ll see how long the table stays centered on the beam once your furniture gets moved in and the kitchen island stools back into the table… Or maybe you can suggest you place the table at the other end in front of the fire? Where, I’m assuming giant joints of meat will be roasting on a spit? LOL!! It’ll all work out!

I will repeat my statement thta I make often , architects are often really bad at interior design. Hubby is wrong your eye will instantly think the table belongs centerd on the hutcha dnthe light hung centered on the table. If you ever build again IMO vaulted ceilings a huge PITA for lighting, sound distortion and a huge waste of heating and cooling and for no real reason.

Looks like the beam isn't functional--skip it and downplay the vault?