Chispa, linelle, and graywings, we went back and forth about enclosing it or keeping it open but we decided to leave it open for now, and if we want to close it in later it would be easier than trying to match up the railing with the rails on the steps. The loft still has the full closet on the wall next to the bathroom. I made sure the closet would still be there. I definitely see the downfalls of a loft that you mentioned, but I think it looks much nicer than completely enclosed and we were thinking of kind of doing both in the future similar to the picture below, except maybe with glass doors if we decided to make it an office/music room. Would also bring in a lot of light. We were also considering maybe putting French doors in to make the room more open. We will see as all of that would be down the line. If we were to enclose the loft but keep the railing and catwalk, it would make the room about 16x10 which is a little narrow proportionally but would still be a nice space. As for the laundry room being upstairs, it's not the ideal location for it but there isn't any space on the first floor so that's where it's going. We would like it on the first floor but that would require changing a lot of other rooms to fit. We also plan on children in the future and are hoping this home is one we can stay in, instead of just a first home. This isn't a custom home so we are working with the layout given. We have considered so many ways of changing it up but ultimately decided to stick to this layout other than using the 4th bedroom as a loft.

Hi! Thanks for all the advice. I went to help her set things up and to look at it in order to decide how to provide privacy. I decided to get ceiling tracks (found some at BBB for $9.99 on sale from $39!). I got 4 tracks of 48" each to cover the 12' span. I'm going to attach to the ceiling and I made 4 blackout curtain panels (bought ready-made panels from Target and added blackout fabric to them) to hang on the tracks. The opening at the staircase will not be covered so light will come in there,but for privacy that will be okay. She'll decide later if she wants something added there. So here's is my final question: The ceiling is 9' tall and the half-wall is 4'. So that leaves a 5' space to fill with the curtains. I am all done making them except to hem to the final length. Should I have them extend beyond the top of the half-wall, so maybe hem them to 65" or so? I was thinking that if the curtains are a little bit longer than the opening, they would stay closed better if there are slight breezes from AC or the nearby ceiling fan. Would about 5" extra inches be sufficient, or should it be more, like 10 or 12"? So far: Ikea bed with drawers, over-bed storage rack form BBB, a soft-sided Ikea wardrobe, Ikea shelf with plastic bins (instead of a wooden dresser), shelf from BBB. Adding soon, a small laptop desk and a swivel chair from Ikea with will fit at te foot of the bed where there are about 4' left. We realize nothing matches but we were going for function and had to choose from what was available.

Yes, citrus favor shallow root systems (I think - pls correct me if I'm wrong). I've had trees like that. It will be fine!

lol. im retired but I do projects close by. (so Cal). I just added a beverage bar pic. you see that? do u need a bar area? you could easily plug in a wine cooler, have a fill-in cubbie area next to it, float the top w/a remnant piece of stone you can find locally. (or, top it w/wood block. i'm sure Mahogany is in great supply where you are) then do the open shelves above, maybe tile the wall w/some cool mosaic tile, hange a pendant, and party. i love the looks of this one. get some Zellige tile in a beachy color, local wood for floating shelves, do a cabinet or the wine cooler, top with the same tile, wood or some marble. you could even do a mirror or mirror tiles to bounce around the light. wood top, get some reclaimed wood from the island and use it. simple fridge, and very simple wine racks built around it. or, find a local artist, give them the size of the space and have something custom made. ok. i promise. i'm done!