Carol- I agree on the barrier and sometimes I think I would like it and sometimes no. What I DO like is what the ID said - same amount of furniture so essentially you have 2 potential layouts that you can use as you see fit and THAT is awesome. Here is ours - so our kitchen is where your dining room is. We have about 8' from the perimeter of the island and where I think the back of the couch will be. Plenty of space there. We are discussing furniture needs for the future. Our current couch is rather long - 7.5 feet... I think if we weren't doing a whole house at once I would have pursued RTA but it's too overwhelming. We purchased 2 36" (with filers to accommodate the depth of the stone) wide vanity height cabinets from the KD. It was about $900 for the 2 of them. I showed him the balance - all he sees is $ signs! So yes for now 2 sections. :( He said my 'visions' are more than we can afford. Hahaha - not that he's off base there. We wil likely end up with a hybrid similar to this (of course we don't have the windows and we DO have a hearth). He is adamant about not having a shelf or anything above the TV. We are still in negotiations....lol. :) [Traditional Living Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2107) by Golden Valley Design-Build Firms Gonyea Homes & Remodeling

The first thing that strikes me is that your curtain rod is too short which is why you have to push the curtains to the side which kills the vibe in this room. Get longer rods and linen-type curtains that are fairly similar to the wall color which will give the room warmth without looking busy. Please make sure that your area rug is as large as possible because that will make this room look fabulous. Little bitty rugs do not. I would choose an Oriental rug in warm colors because it will hide little accidents, at least until you can address them. I would definitely get a sofa, so great for cuddling with your husband and kids. I would place it in front of the window for good lighting for reading but also because it gives you the best sight lines into other areas of your home. Instead of a coffee table consider a large ottoman with a lid so that you have plenty of storage space. Please don't buy a brown or black leather couch. They look dated and are so difficult to decorate around. Try beige or caramel, with two chairs in contrasting colors, perhaps a nice blue or green, colors that will be in the carpet hopefully. You can also use the carpet colors to choose pillows for your soft furniture. Find some nice pictures to put on the walls, a large green plant, a bookcase or two (books are a must in a room) and side tables for lamps. By now your room will look gorgeous and be pretty well furnished and, most important of all, will be comfortable and fun to be in.

Stay with it Keli O, i had some of same issues wanting to make my living room more of what makes me happy and keeping a lot of what I love but using the furniture in a better way. These current and other willing and so very talented people helped me to the utmost, to say the least. I love what has happened to my new living room, still need to make some suggested changes to curtains and accessories, but so more than happy with the outcome. Could not have ever ever been able to make the changes myself, cannot say enough about HOUZZ helpers and patients they had with me. Yea, lol, i was moving and changing and re-arranging night and day, even stood on my head and jumped through a hoop but it was necessary and so worth it, ok I put in my 2 cents....looking good

Given you don't know what future apartments will look like, or more importantly what dimensions of future rooms will be, I'd recommend against the sectional you linked. It seems that at least once or twice a week people post here seeking help on how to build a room around a sectional that just doesn't fit the space. A comfortable sofa and a chair with an ottoman will give you more flexibility in the future.