It's definitely not too late to consider this plan-- however, I'm still not entirely convinced it's the right plan for us. a) This pantry is a fantastic idea-- in theory. However, DH and I feel we lack the DIY skills necessary to pull it off. We'd have to be very careful to bring it out close enough to the garage door that we have room for a bi-fold pantry door. Also, it would be very, very difficult to get the measurements just right so that the rest of the cabinets line up correctly with the window and wall. It would also be very difficult to find a reliable professional who would come out for such a small job! Once I pay someone to put in that pantry, the money from less cabinets is no longer saved. (And that's IF I can find someone to do it.) b)It still doesn't really allow me to have my pull out pantry near the stove-- it's in laxsupermom's drawing next to the 24" pantry, which I would no longer need with the drywall pantry. I don't think I'd want to put a pull-out pantry next to the wall so it pulls out in front of the garage door. I suppose I could do a short one on either side of the stove. I have no idea how to set up the other wall/base cabinets... This: vs. This (only withOUT the short pullout): c)I don't think it would be nicer to look at from the living room. In fact, all you can see is the dining area from the living room, but when you walk in the front door and head for the kitchen, there is a hallway on the left (not portrayed in my drawings). If you're walking directly into the kitchen from the living room or hallway, the first thing you'll see is the wall directly across from you, which is where the fridge is in laxsupermom's drawing. I don't think that's nearly as attractive to look at as the wine wall with the glass cabinets... This would be the view walking in: vs. This: d)I lose some of the functionality I wanted, which is even more important to me than the counterspace by the stove and the pathway from the garage. I would lose my pet center and my peninsula drawers would be narrower (because of the lazy susan), and the peninsula is where I wanted to store my plates/bowls. Argh, I feel like my head is going to explode!! :)

Lavender Lass, I LOVE that built-in bed. I always dreamed of sleeping in a nook like that, as a kid! I wish it would work in this room, but the narrow width, and closet position is very limiting. I'm keeping that photo in my inspiration folder. Thanks! Colleennc, I agree, it's okay that the bed doesn't make into a level king. Those that stay the longest with us, no longer sleep well in the same bed. In fact, it's better if they're as far away from each other as possible. :-) Ah, snoring. I like your idea of using part of the closet storage for guests and part for storage. Writersblock, I have considered a murphy bed, but due to budget constraints, and fear of mechanism failure (and our four rowdy children), I decided against it. I agree, though, it would be the absolute best use of space in here. Shades of Idaho...I think you're right about the closet. Our guests use the hanging space, but just a few hangers, and could probably just hang that amount on a hook over the back of a door. Great idea! That closet is currently outfitted with tons of shelving, and we have most of our library of books in there right now. Lovely guest room you have! Marti8a, it is true, that a trundle pulled out beside the bed makes the room impractical. There's no room for nightstands, and it's hard for the one on the daybed to get out, with the trundle right there. I'm a little afraid of murphy beds, but maybe the two chairs, as in Summerfield's drawing, would eliminate the daybed/trundle problem! Wow Summerfield! I am so excited about your drawing! It's perfect!!! Are there brands that you recommend for sleeper chairs? I have a Drexel Heritage Sleeper chair, the Natalie, with the air dream mattress. I honestly, don't like blow-up mattresses at all, so would want to buy a foam-type. Does anyone here have experience with American Leather, or American Upholstery sleeper pieces? I think this is the desk I want for the room! Gonna have to start saving! http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/desks/incognito-mocha-compact-office/s590617 Thanks everyone! I am getting excited about this room. It has been vexing me since we moved in over a year ago.

Are those bookshelves? no fireplace in the room? Rather than a sectional, I'd get two sofas. One would have its back to the DR entry, facing the long bank of windows. The second would form and "L" with the other sofa and would be facing the bookshelves, back to the wall with the hallway entrance. Square table in the elbow joint the two sofas make; large square coffee table; TV on a wall-mounted articulating arm on the wall where you have the bookshelves, in the corner by the windows. You can then pull the TV out and angle it when you want to watch it, push it back against the wall when you don't, and any glare from the windows won't hit the TV.

I think a lot of these next questions come down to who is using the space and what stage of life you are in. There may not be a right or wrong answer, just preference. For example, if kids are using the jack and jill-- then its a great way to get each kid their own vanity area! Score! If it's primarily for your grown children visiting at the same time-- then it's remembering to knock bc you don't have your own bath. Far less enticing. For me, mudroom to manage kid sports gear is a very big deal! We put lockers down one wall and a countertop down the other. For you, maybe its not. I use the office to pay bills, play on the computer and store /use craft supplies. Our "office" is where kids do projects, I drop the mail and we leave "in progress" legos and multiday projects etc. We like being connected and in easy yelling distance to someone watching TV. That would be really different from ones needs who actually work from home. I'm assuming they would prefer to be closed off. Everything to the master bedroom side of the kitchen feels like "private space". Maybe you like it that way-- but to me it feels like a lot of space that isnt' communal. I would want people to feel more ok about using that bathroom and the "office", maybe having more kitchen pantry there, or a better connection to the back yard. I think the hardest part in a remodel is overcoming how you've always lived . I would encourage you to really try to start fresh with a drawing instead of just thinking of moving the walls that are existing. Play with the drawing, rename the spaces--think big!