Hi All, Here's the current layout. I posted it earlier but I think it got lost in all the layouts (sorry!). Catbuilder - you make a great point. I did consider those options. I've lived here for over two years now and the two biggest things missing are a comfortable place for a couple of adults to perch in the kitchen (I have no where to put people when they come by and I am working in the kitchen), and a kitchen table for small dinners and homework. Currently, my son does his homework on the coffee table in the family room and we often sit on the floor and eat there also. I don't want to give up the dining room. It's a lovely room with floor to ceiling windows and we often have many dinner guests. I also don't want to give up the "living room". I put it in quotes because really it's our library/quiet space. It's really nice to read there or work at the computer there. So, for the time being, I'm still trying to fit it all in. That said, I don't want a poor outcome because I tried to do too much. Debrak 2008 - That's a great photo, thanks! It looks a lot like my space. It would mean no kitchen table though, so I'm not too keen on it at this point. Gardenpixie - thanks for the isle measurements. Your thoughts are very reassuring. My space is so small, I would think 42" isles would look out of proportion. Thanks for the encouragement!! Does anyone have an opinion about Marti8a's layout? It does seem to maximize the space, but it seems to lose the definition of the kitchen and just feels a little out of place to me. Thoughts? Many thanks again! -kb

I think that overall, you are on the right track with the layout. For the age of your kids, it makes a ton of sense to have a table at one end for games, puzzles, crafts, projects, and school work. There are a few things I’d recommend changing, as well. Here is an idea I drew up for you: I’d sell/get rid of the tv cabinet and get a console or dresser that fits in the niche. Consider putting the tv on an articulating arm so that it can be adjusted for viewing. You could probably get a smaller tv, if desired, which might help with the tv feeling “too close.” Put the full size sofa under the window on the long wall, with nothing behind it. Since it is shorter, put the loveseat in the walkway so that you can easily walk past it to get from one side of the room to the other. On the wall where the tv cabinet was, you could put in approximately 6’ of bookshelves. This will give you a spot to contain the books and random items that life throws at a busy family. You can store a mixture of pictures, books, and the globe. Baskets can be gathered to hold fabric swatches and legos, puzzles (I like removing these from their boxes and storing them in zippered bags inside a basket, if possible.) I recommend getting a circular end table for the end of the couch nearest the doorway. It will make that walkway/doorway feel more spacious and the furniture like less of a hip banger. At the table end, I like the idea of the storage unit with the fabric bins. I know that for our family, the bins need to be labeled in order for them to be used properly and not become catchalls. You could tie tags on the handles, or hot glue labels on the sides of the bins. Then it’s just a matter of training the household to regularly put things away in them. : ) Your windows are gorgeous, but I can understand why you want to obscure the view. How about some top down shades or sheers instead of what is there now? Then you would have quite a bit more light coming into the space while still retaining a sense of privacy. The windows would be pretty with curtains hung high and outside the window frames. I like your couches, and the rugs and pillows all work very well with each other in addition to the furniture. You might like to check out the YouTube channel by Clutterbug. Her organizing solutions are very realistic and down to earth, doable without breaking the bank. “At Home with Nikki” and “Alejandra” have some great organizing ideas on YouTube, too. These have been helpful for our family when our things started to feel like they were taking over our home. I love Josh Becker’s Minimalist blog posts and the blog “Nourishing Minimalism,” too. I couldn’t really make our house any bigger, so I found I had to simplify our stuff instead....well, still working on it. Hope this helps!

Can you post a floorplan (a hand sketch is fine) with all the walls, windows, doors etc + dimensions? I was also wondering about dividing up the space (but without a divider; I wouldn't want to block the light and my sense is that these two activities happen at different times.). So maybe the desk/office by the window side, and then put the TV on a stand by the stair railing (or whatever is in the foreground of the photo). Not sure if this will work with the room layout and that door. If there is room to put the sofa parallel with the back (brown?) wall (and still allowing passage to/from the door) you might be able to fit a piece of office furniture behind the sofa, like a lateral filing cabinet or low bookshelf etc. FWIW, when I've done this myself, I've sketched the layout and then made cut-outs (to scale) of the furniture and moved them around to see where things will fit.

Here is a concept. Ignore the colors, this is just for layout. Move the lamp and add side table and accent pillows. Two heights for the art: