I'm not that keen on tablecloths or runners and much prefer tables bare. I always use a tablecloth when we have people over for dinner though. I do have a habit of ruining them though (3 in as many months with red wine stains and candle wax) but I was given a Ralph Lauren one for xmas and was told it was indestructible. It did receive the obligatory red wine stain and washed out so fingers crossed. We also took the decision not to stress over the wooden kitchen table top and let it "age/wear" although our son is past the age of painting if not smearing food!

How do you style your dining table or kitchen table when not in use?

I don’t think the table is too big. Personally I might think about getting a rug under the table with a stronger colour to tie in better with the sofa.

Maybe the problem is that they actually go well together? It suites the style of kitchen and table. If you want to change it up a bit maybe consider just replacing the opaque shades with clear ones of a different shape or even try removing them and leaving the bulbs exposed.