re: a futon I think they can be iffy in terms of quality, or design. I've run into ones that aren't comfortable as a sofa (too low; too deep of a seat; something), and ones that are too hard for sleeping on. However, my dad has one that opens to a double bed, and it's actually OK for sleeping, and it's OK for sitting. So I would say don't get one unless you're going to be able to look around and find one that's well designed and comfortable, and spring for it. I know my mom looked long and hard for this one. It has drawers underneath, which is nice for storing the pillows, etc., when it's in bed form (which nowadays is never; we just leave it made up anymore, bcs the socializing is done in the living room, and the futon is in the den). But if he expects to have people sleep over, a futon is useful.

Yeah, you're sort of screwed by the doorway to the dining room -- there's no real way to set up the door side of the room as more than a sliver by the windows. You're on the right track in treating it as two separate zones, though. Here are a couple ideas that might help you visualize the right solution for your family. 1) Treat the area near the door as a Kid Containment Zone. Put a bench where the entry table is, with baskets underneath for shoes, and maybe a couple of hooks for (future?) book bags and so forth. Then put a small table right next to the door, in front of the sidelight, as your entry table, with a bowl for keys or mail or whatever (and a drawer for mittens). Reading chair and lamp in corner by dining room, to look inviting for a pause, might never get used, or could have a small bookcase for kids when they need a moment to themselves. 2) Make that zone a gaming area, with a smaller table against the windows and 2-3 chairs. Floor lamp in corner for evening activities. A puzzle could live there, or it could be the go-to space for games. Or you could instead do a lower crafts table and a storage cabinet. (You might have those kinds of spaces elsewhere in the house.) 3) No matter what you do with that zone, I'd enlarge the living area in both dimensions. Couch against the wall with chairs on kitchen side, table and lamp between chairs, large coffee table (think a big circle!) that can double as together-activities zone. Use a big area rug to anchor and define this area, and let it come down very close to the hallway to the bedrooms. This will help you scale your furniture and help eat into the dead zone. If you entertain, you might add another arm chair on the doorway side of the ensemble, or use an L-shaped couch, to encompass more seating and enclose more space. HOpe this helps!

I think an Ikea hack or something along those lines would be perfect there. and you have the depth. get ready for a bunch of pics! here is the Ikea hack w/the Billy bookcases (all of these how to's are online) Ikea Havsta no window, but it would make a cozy reading nook And then you would tweak the look you want. add in the shiplap, or instead of the tv, do artwork, or shiplap This one is really unfinished Oak base kitchen cabinets, put up on a pedestal base, trimmed out and painted. DIY wood countertop you could do more of a buffet type of cab. On one end you could have a little desk area you could do the entire wall area w/wood tiles, or plank wall trim or even an accent color do something as simple as this or buy something like this from Ballard I like this one too. if you do a white tongue and groove and build it out for a recessed niche w/natural wood shelving, you'll get this. (studio mcgee!) this is gorgeous. I'm sure you've seen it. It would act as storage. what you could do for the middle is make it a desk area for homework and studying down the road. But I love the dark moody color in the midst of all your white.

I think a couch that has less depth would work wonders in this space. You have a very narrow field to work with, albeit still doable. It might help to mount the TV, otherwise get a thinner console. Sectionals are usually unnecessary but if you plan to keep something similar, a sectional like this would work well. It has less bulk than your current couch and the sleek lines help to divide the room from the entrance.