You have another dining area that makes more sense. I’d make that space a sitting area.

Yes to what Rachel said. Many people have two “living” rooms, not two dining rooms. You can make it as formal or unique as you want.

It could be a cozy sitting room, I’d have a tv and hang out there. But, I would case the opening at where the foyer opens next to the powder room and closet to separate the foyer more.

To answer your first question, I’ve had two homes where the dining room was the first room you saw and I liked it as dining rooms always look tidy. That said, in this house I see no reason to use that space as a dining room- it seems you would be buying a ‘formal dining room’ set for show.

I agree with the sitting room option since you already have a larger dining space. And let's be honest,how often does a formal dining area get used? You could also consider a library there. Just because a room is labeled something on the plans doesn't mean you have to use it that way. Looks like an awesome house!

It would be a great library or study. Add bookcases, a leather sofa, and a desk. Close it in more with some walls and french doors and it can be a work from home space or school room.

If I read your plan correctly, you have three dining spaces on the same floor (formal dining, kitchen island, and a third dining). Seems to be a lot of space dedicated to eating; however, like others have said, one of those dining areas could be used for something else.

(I never understood formal dining areas that are infrequently used. In our current build we've avoided formal dining all together in favor of spaces that will be used.)

The laundry room seems far away from everything. Unless you have a second laundry room, consider moving it to an upper floor closer to the bedrooms. That way, you're not hauling laundry across the house and up stairs.

I think the "Formal Dining" location would make a good location for a kitchen. It would be closer to the garage (think carrying groceries) and could be done in such a way to eliminate the dedicated hallway and improve flow.

You don't need two dining areas. Use the one near your family room for your long table, and use the one across from the entry as a seating area with armchairs grouped around a coffee table. It's nice to have two seating areas.

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This is an older houzz link. I did and I do love how an entry area dining room is designed.

I like a cozy dining room, not one that is part of an entry or a hallway.

See my thoughts below.

-open doorway to pass through from mudroom into kitchen

• close off hallway between mudroom and powder room to create storage space

• add walls to enclose R corner nearest foyer, for symmetry

-build in a window seat/bench

-optionally add shelving on largest walls for books

• round foyer table in ctr of room with vase, coffee table books, and either a couple of chairs or upholstered ottomans to tuck under

• other options would be a baby grand piano or a writing desk/table instead of round table idea
  

  

As others have implied the floorplan is poorly designed. I'd move on.

Would the space work for you if instead of a dining table centered in the room there was a banquette or dining bench on a side wall and the table there?

It seems like a lot of space is dedicated to dining and not much to living. I'd convert the dining room to a formal living room , you can even have a chandelier if you life over a seating area, and have the dining and family room on the side with the kitchen.

Also, what style is the house or what kind of decor would you be bringing with you?

Is there a tray ceiling or other fixed element, like columns, etc.

Thanks so much for all of the super constructive and smart feedback. The floorplan is already set in stone (house is 80% complete) but it hadn't occurred to me (dug) just to stop thinking of it as a dining room. haha.

The two options I see with the most promise are:

- As a study/office. I work from home and was planning to use one of the upstairs bedrooms but this could be a really nice alternative. Wall it off, add some glass doors maybe. Built-ins, warm it up with some texture...

- As that welcoming foyer. Maybe add a little half-wall transition / break on either side to seperate the space. Imaging built-ins, a low round wooden table, cosy velvet chairs, pendant lighting. Would be less used perhaps but a really cosy place to read, have a glass of wine away from the TV in the living room - would give it a hotel vibe on entry.

Still not sure it's the house for us but thinking about it this way really gives me a different set of ideas altogether.

If you don't need to actually wall off the space to create an office you could also try something like this -- but again, really hard to make suggestions without knowing whether the house feels more, say, Mediterranean, with lots of arches, or modern....

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But also to make it visibly a library (again, if you don't need to wall it off for absolute privacy) that can easily double as a formal dining room if you have lightweight chairs nearby to bring in when you put the computer away and set the table

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As it sets now, a guest comes through the front door into the ENTRY, walks past the FORMAL DINING, past the CLOSET and STAIRS down & up, into the DINING, then finally into the FAMILY ROOM where their seat has full view of the DINING and KITCHEN. You better have two Dining areas because your guests are going to be hungry.

Buy another house, this one is poorly designed at many levels and it can not be fixed.

I love the idea of the dining area in the foyer.!!! This is the future of new homes.

Makes so much more sense with the way we live. Many families only use the DR for two holidays. With the dining area in the foyer, you can use this for entertaining. Have a central buffet set up for casual eating. It's also a great sitting area around the table if you are just getting together for drinks or to play cards.

Your dining area has the ability to be set up with bookcases and become a home library. Nothing cozier than those men's clubs from years ago that had tons of books, some library lights, a comfy chair, and the availability to read or have a drink.

You can use that space for an office, with builtins all along the alcove area. But don't wall it off. You'd want to keep it open from the entryway both for the view and the light.

I’m looking at the path from the garage to points to the right, and vice versa. It occurs to me that when you take out the kitchen trash to the garage, it‘s a long walk through the house. Adding a door from the garage to the den (which is what I’m going to call the space labeled “formal dining”) would be nice.