You designed you current home. You know what works about it, what doesn't. You know what you like, what you don't. No faceless stranger that's never met you will ever come close to designing anything half so appropriate for you lifestyle and personality as you can yourself. Doubly so when that stranger's idea of country life is either riding to the hounds on an autumn morning, or a two acre 'mini ranch' with a hamster, a llama and a pot belly pig. And until you've lived in the stranger's plan for a few years, you won't really know if it suits you or not. I think pre-planed homes are fine for suburban dwellers with no real tie to thier land. If they build a house, decide they don't like it, they can always sell it, move down the block, start over. For most rural people, 'home' is a place, not a building. That's why my build has been so incredibly stressful: if I don't get this right, I can't just sell it and move on, I'll have to level it and start over. I often lie awake at night, wondering if I've overlooked anything... dog area and pet door in the laundry to keep the mess out of the kitchen, coat room off the back door to hold my chore coats, ski coats, town coats. Less lawn to mow, more garden to grow. Natural light in every room. Hydrant by the back door for really dirty boots.... By all means, look at plans for ideas that might not have come up with on your own, but hire yourself as you own chief designer.

Being that this question was posted more than 8 years ago, I am very late to the game. Consider my input as a reply from the future. As a member of a large family crammed into a small house, I grew up in the Northeast. We had a kitchen with very little counter space and no island, a large table that seats 8, and a small formal dining room off to the side, which was extremely tight when trying to fit the entire family around the table. It was worse when we had additional guests. Imagine being a small, skinny child having to suck in your stomach in an effort to squeeze between someone's chair and the wall to get to your own chair. That was us. We also had a small deck with a sizable patio table that proved even more challenging to seat everyone. But we managed. We used the dining room for every major holiday that called for something formal (Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's day, and Easter) and the deck for meals in warmer weather (4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor day, summer birthdays, etc.). The kitchen table was used for everything else (breakfast, lunch, most dinners, birthdays in colder months/on rainy days, homework, "time outs", baking, tea time with company, etc.). That was the norm in my parents' house. Since leaving home, I have lived all over the US (Midwest, West coast, Southwest, Southeast, East coast, Gulf coast), and several places abroad. In every place I've lived before buying a house, I employed a dining room only once. When eating, I would sit at the kitchen table, at the island, or on the couch. When I bought my first house, I felt it was important to have a dining room as well as an eat-in kitchen because it's what I was accustomed to growing up. I imagined utilizing my house in much of the same way my parents used theirs. The only difference is that my house is huge compared to what they had (and for a lot less people to live), so it is far more comfortable. After living in my house for a few years, however, it occurred to me that, even when I'd have guests over, we didn't all sit around any specific table. Instead we would spread ourselves out around the kitchen, the great room, and the patio outside. In 17 years, the dining room was never used for dining. Not even once. I realized I spent a ridiculous amount of money on dining room furniture I never use, on heating and air conditioning a space I never use, and on purchasing square footage I never use. It was just another room that I'd have to dust, vacuum, and occasionally paint. I've come to understand that times have really changed, our culture has changed, and the way we celebrate has changed. Someone previously said, "it's always better to have something you don't need than to need something you don't have." In most cases I would agree, but not in this case. I've wasted thousands of dollars that I can never get back, and for what? The reality is that it's very easy to get creative when in need of dining space; you don't need a whole dedicated room for something that you might only use a few times a year (if at all). With plans to downsize and move, I recently began designing a house more suitable for a family of four, but that can easily accommodate several guests. The first thing I considered is how a house is actually used; not necessarily how I fantasize using it. Kids spend most of their time in their rooms, outside, at school, or with their friends. Visiting guests sit at the island or dinner table, or on the couch in the great room. Dinnertime at the kitchen table is really the only time the entire family is together. So it became apparent to me that I need to design my new house around making these areas more comfortable and inviting, and cut out the places that are simply wasteful and uselessly excessive. As I drew up the plans, I kept asking: why do we all feel the need to have a dining room, a breakfast nook, a kitchen island, a kitchen table, and a patio table? Seriously, how many places to eat a meal does a house need to come with?! Let's face it: with the exception of those families with young children, most of you probably eat your dinner on the couch in front of the t.v.! I can see it now: your little foldable nesting tables, sectional couches and reclining chairs with built-in cup holders, coasters all over the place, and rogue dirty dishes or mugs you forgot to take back to the kitchen. Yeah, yeah, I get it; I've been there, too. With all the places designated for food, it seems to me like we all put way too much time and attention on eating rather than living. I have decided the dining room is out. In fact, so is the breakfast nook! The patio stays because who doesn't enjoy taking advantage of being outdoors on a beautiful day? That leaves me with one final decision: how do I want to design my kitchen? What's most important to me is that I enjoy every piece of square footage in my house. Every room will be fully utilized, and as such they will be liveable, breatheable areas that are a pleasure to be seated in and look around. Symmetrical lines that create balance, clean angles that soothe the mind, elements that inspire the imagination, and lots of warm lighting to keep me from feeling like I'm living in a cold, dank cave. As the design took shape, I kept facing one major dilemma: do I need both an island and a kitchen table? No, I don't. Would both be nice to have? Not if I'm trying to downsize. So I have to choose one. But which one? As I've said previously, the house in which I grew up did not have an island. We used the table for everything. But I love the versatility of an island with a quartz top! After looking at countless styles (thanks pinterest and houzz!), I have discovered I can have an island (with legs) that looks like a kitchen table, except better: I don't have to worry about scratches, water marks, or anything else my parents would freak out about when I was a kid using their kitchen table. A table cloth, a centerpiece, place mats, and a properly set "table" looks no different whether it's on a quartz surface or a wood surface. What is the deal with a need for more? Why are people so gluttonous? And especially in a day and time where income has not kept up with the cost of living? Don't even get me started on the carbon footprint we all leave behind. I want to thoroughly use and appreciate the things I have without paying for things I almost never use. All of this to say, no; a dining room is not necessary. It's excessive to the point of being ridiculous. I would prefer efficiency over gluttony. Appreciate what you have by using it. If you find you need a formal dining space for that rare (or not so rare) occasion, create one out of what you already have. It's not difficult!

I just love the exchange of ideas on this forum. : ) Where do you store all of the outdoor gear now? A mudroom could be a great idea. . . would the cubbies have doors? (I'm thinking you wouldn't want to see the mess of it from the kitchen or dining room.) If you Google "mudroom locker pictures" or "mudroom cubbies" you'll find lots of ideas. A few concerns jump out at me when I look at your 3D renditions. Usually the work flow goes fridge-sink-stove, so you've got some crossover there. The most useful counter is clear across the room from the fridge and stove. It seems like that's going to make for extra traipsing and traffic, or squeezing yourself into a tighter workspot because the location is more convenient. Also, I'd recommend that you have an extra sink for prep. We currently have 2 sinks now (eventually we'll have 3-yikes!) and it is wonderful both for prepping, and for dividing up chores. One group uses the one sink area for loading the DW, another person washes pots and pans at the other sink. How about this: Could the fridge go next to the pantry where it looks like the wall oven is located, maybe build it in flush like the oven currently is. Put in a range where you have it drawn with oven(s) underneath the countertop. This would give you a good landing zone on either side of the range top. Then, you could put a prep sink in the island. The sink in the island could be shared- at the island itself, by the person using the range, and a third at the peninsula toward the family room, and none of them would cross over tasks with a fourth person working at the sink on the perimeter. Here is a link that might be useful: Restyled home mudroom ideas-see other links at the bottom of this page, too

You have a family of seven and probably will have a few more children...correct? I'm assuming you want a light and airy space, but still cozy? Some place for the family to cook, dine, and sit...together? Now, to be blunt...and then try to suggest some ideas. This looks and feels like a banquet room. There's no way that island would be anything but a barrier to the rest of the space...and the table is worse. The seating areas have their backs to each other, while the rest of the space emphasizes everyone being together. So, have you considered a smaller island (or two) with the seating on those. The table would be much better as two smaller tables, or maybe a banquette/table area for the kids or visiting with the cook...and a bigger family dining table (maybe for 8-10) that can be used everyday, or for adults, when entertaining. The seating area should face the kitchen or maybe each other (or even a fireplace/TV) but not have the sofas back to back. I would recommend a big sectional and some comfy chairs and ottomans. You can stretch out and put your feet up, or the ottomans can be used for extra seating. You have a family of 7, but your room is designed for about 20-25 people. The kitchen work space is a whole other thing...but just the dining/conversation area is my biggest concern. Remember, you want this to be a family space, right? Not a banquet hall. I really hope this helps...and think flexible spaces that can live smaller day to day, and stretch out when needed.