There was a similar discussion on Home Decor Forum so I linked it below. It's a tough decision to make since your style should be considered. Do you favor contemporary/modern, traditional or transitional? For more visuals go to houzz.com. Here's are some results via a search for 'open plan' ..... https://www.houzz.com/photos/home-design-ideas-phbr0-bp~-plan Here is a link that might be useful: Framed openings

"More than most of you probably wanted to know about eggshells." toxcrusadr, not really. That's really the root of the issue - "everybody" knows eggshells are a good amendment, but that isn't true for all environments, and not knowing enough about eggshells is part of the dilemma here. elisa_z5, I wish gifting them were an option. My only friend east of the Rockies lives in a Brooklyn apartment and doesn't grow even houseplants and would be utterly appalled at a gift of eggshells anyway because she is a germaphobe. If I ever get really pissed at her, I am going to tell her that all that kale she eats is actually grown in dirt. Maybe I can make Christmas ornaments out of them? Cover something in glue, roll it in the shells? I'm almost afraid to check Etsy and Pinterest to see if someone is already doing crushed eggshell crafts. glib, when bone fragility rears its ugly head and I am advised to take calcium supplements, maybe I will try that. LoneJack, I don't have chickens. I have thought about getting some, but then I would wind up with more eggshells. I guess what I'm thinking now is that four pounds won't hurt anything if I scatter them over 4000 square feet, I just have to forget about hoarding them and thinking I can use them to improve anything. Still probably gonna add some to Mom's ashes, though.

We have a dedicated office and dining room already so no need for another one. We are a family of 3 (2 adults and 1 child) and this room will get the most use as we are not the type to hang out in our bedrooms. This room will also have the only TV in the house as well (60"). We want to put an 'L' shaped couch or a sofa and a side chair of some type so when we have guests over we are not all sitting on one couch. I just noticed in my earlier post there was an error, my budget for this room is $5,000. I love the idea of doing two separate areas and maybe the nook as a library...what's the best way to position the rugs to make this look cohesive..and should the rugs match or is that weird?

OK, you could use the 'dining room' as your family's eating area, and use the 'breakfast room' as...something else? What would benefit from having all those nice windows that are in the 'breakfast room'? Laundry? Crafts? Mom's Desk? My 'back hall' is between kitchen and garage. It contains laundry, cabinets, a powder room, and a big closet. (Could you put a powder room where the plan has 'laundry'? It's really convenient to have a 'facility' near the family entrance.)