Elegance is important for formal dining, but a casual air is inviting.
The right rugs and plants will warm the mood. In the formal dining room, think elegance, but a casual elegance. Recalling the flow of angles try turning your dining table. If space does not permit angling the whole table, try angling what's on the table. You can use another more colorful tablecloth as a table throw, which you can place at angles, or just tie knots in the end.