Wait for the remodel to be done, or almost done before picking a table.

A round table would work much better. I would definitely remove that pony wall in the new design.

Thank you. I was thinking round or oval. I think the pony wall needs to stay as it’s a step down and our couch is on the other side...
and idea if a built in bench and maybe some storage could work on that pony wall?

A bench could work but those are so hard to have people sitting in the middle bumping elbows. what about turning that into an "island" with barstools? do you have a "formal" dining room?

A bench would likely be turned the other way and you'd have more congestion in the walkway to the slider and outside.

I see the living room is a dropped floor. People can clearly see that, if you have a different flooring in the drop-down area.

You won't believe how much nicer it will feel with that wall gone.

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sorry - I can't figure out how to respond to a specific person. RL Relocation - do you mean an island table? The space is tight for an actual island. Could only have seats for three. An "island table" may work though if it was on the narrower side.

We do have a formal dining room room - it's just on the other side of the wall with the stove. I have a whole separate post about what to do there. Need to keep two feet of the wall due to impossible to move waste pipe back towards the corner. We could make that 2 feet work into the design and remove most of it, create a pass through where the stove is, a peninsula, or keep the same layout.

CDR Design, LLC - you can remove that pony wall and have nothing there at all? not even a railing? the step down to the family room will be the same wood floor as the rest of the downstairs, but we plan to keep the actual flooring in there carpet when all is done.

For most areas, there is no requirement for a rail for one step down. Check local code. I would recommend a band if the flooring is the same. Could not understand what you were saying about new flooring. If elderly or very young you would also need to reconsider.

So you have a room behind the stove you could use as family room?

CDR Design, LLC - sorry - I'll edit my post. the room behind the stove is a formal dining room. I mis-typed. We are considering opening that but have to keep two feet of the outer part of the wall for a waste pipe.

CDR Design, LLCb To clarify - we plan to replace the entire first floor with new hardwood flooring EXCEPT the sunken family room. That will remain carpeted. However, the actual step part will be the same wood as the kitchen (its such a high traffic area the step gets so dirty. but it's concrete so carpet makes it more cozy). I realize it didn't fully make sense when i went back to read it! Long day and too much kitchen renovation is on the brain!

ok so if you are opening the wall than you don't need 2 dining tables, put a ledge on the pony wall and put a few barstools under it (backless could be tucked right under) then you have a spot to eat quick snacks and there is no "law" against putting a tv where it can be seen from all angles of the new kitchen ...

you should put the link to the other thread here..

I would make the formal dining room into either the family room or your dining area. It depends on how large that formal dining room is.

The current family room is rather small.

The half wall should either be removed or make it into a bar.

for context:

what if...

There are a lot of options here and it depends on how you live and your budget.

I recommend hiring a professional to help you think this through. It will save you $ in the long run.

What's wrong with the pony wall, aside from it not being trendy? It looks to me like a convenient place to use as a buffet when some of the food doesn't fit on the table.

We actually hired a kitchen designer for the kitchen layout and an interior designer to help with furnishings, window treatments etc. yet I’m still here trying to decide what to do as she’s thrown a lot of options at me:(

Nothing wrong with using the pony wall. It is one option and depends on a lot of factors.

I recommend one designer to have an overall plan. If that designer does not have kitchen expertise, the kitchen designer can come in, once the overall design is established.

This is why I ask a lot of questions of a client upfront and throughout. The modern day dilemma is "too many choices" and part of a designer's job is to help you narrow down those choices, so that you are able to make the best one for you and your situation.

CDR Design, LLC Thank you. I'm going to reach out to both of them today. We started in January with designing with the wall down. Then the snag of GC differing opinions of if or how much of the wall can come down got confusing. We went with the guy we trust the most. Covid hit and stalled everything before that. I'd hire you if you were in NJ!! Great questions and suggestions.

Hi Crista I do renovation designs online. Let me know if I can help your further. clare@cdrdesign.com. Good luck!