I love mirrors - they bounce light around and depending upon what they're reflecting they're great to use for feng shui - if you're really worried about using mirrors - ensure that they reflect back something terrific (say such as green plants outside). You need to review how you use plants - the ones that youve got are low - you need something that is eye height and on your furniture - to create different levels of greenery - so think about taller indoor palms, and when you get your TV wall mounted, you could use the TV unit for storage and put a plant(s) on top of it to give you different levels. If you can replace the map for other keepsakes/accessories from Mongolia I think you'd be better off. Soft fluffy "hairy/furry" cushions will soften your lounge and refer back to traditional heritage. You could replace the map with a Mongolian style rug or traditional artwork. Utilize a strong horse statue or vase, hanging a piece of traditional costume (similar to the way Kimonos are hung) or a piece of reproduction artwork - just pick things that you love on your coffee table and other walls. You could also do shadow box frames traditional jewellery/horse stirrups/bridles for something eye catching (you can source these online or if you've got family still in Mongolia it's well worth asking them to check out markets/antique shops). The map doesn't really do your home or your background justice - Mongolia has such a rich history and culture to pick from - have some fun with it. I think as soon as you remove the vertical blinds and replace them with curtains you'll instantly feel better - (hang them as close to the ceiling as possible - it'll make your room feel taller and the curtains themselves will bring a feeling of soft comfort) and with changing the coffee table you'll be on the right track.

A rug under the table will cause problems when moving the chairs. To be safe and no nuisance, it has to be a huge rug. (A large round(!) floor cover....?) I like the street lamp. But I guess it is a STREET - lamp and makes the room rather sterile. It is kind of tallish in the corner and enhances to large distance to the ceiling. bring something else down from the ceiling. I guess you don't want a lamp because you have downlights. Do some search for some nice art, which does not move (shadows) in the light. Or use a beige old fashioned chandelier. Go bit by bit. And think about the carpet before you get it. Work on flow and lightness, delight, round parts, oval to balance the room. If I painted something, I would paint the stark white frames a little softer/toned. The white is a hard contrast. So is the black. (And I would probably paint a half wall white.) And the black ornament (light?) that comes down from the ceiling must come further down, should be larger. And then I would play with the room for dinner situations..... you can bring all the colour in you like. I wonder what the room looks like during the day. Try taking the (beautiful) mirror out and hang a canvas. The plant on the table looks forlorn. The Arabic lamp in the left corner looks lonely too. this would be a nice corner for a piece of furniture. An extra chair finds room in spots like this often. Do you have enough space when serving food? (Can you get light switches in a colour like the walls?) I would probably take 2 chairs out unless they are constantly needed and take the placemats off. Put a larger item.... maybe a plate of fruit in the middle. The repetition of chairs and placemats enhances the very formal atmosphere. I have just seen a cream coloured chandelier. Glass is too stark and black not suited to brighten the situation up. I love the room for its sheer size and uncluttered atmosphere!

rome_agile, have you decided whether to put small round table & chairs under stairs, or bar stools at bench? I'm thinking you might be more comfortable for extended dinners sitting at a table and chairs, plus you can always tuck up an extra stool or two if you are entertaining. There isn't much room at bench and people wouldn't really be facing each other. Stools are fine for quick and casual, if you have space. Maybe backless ones that tuck under the overhang a bit. Have you seen a Tulip table and the clear Louis Ghost Chairs? The Ghost chairs would allow light through so you don't lose the view outdoors and that space wouldnt fee crowded.

I would get rid of furniture with thin steel legs. In a room with a large expanse of hard flooring, those little legs end up looking like a canteen more than a dining room. You need something with a bit of presence to take the attention away from the big tiles. They are not a feature tile so they need to recede into the background and let the furniture shine. You see how the upholstered chairs and thicker legs on this table make what is really a very austere space come to life. Get yourself a nice pendant and in that room I would actually build some open shelving across the back wall with a contrast wall colour behind it. You can then install some discreet LED downlights in the nooks for a stunning effect at night. With the heater staying where it is you definately need something large, high and eye catching to draw the eye there and to the table setting rather than to the heater.