Please provide picture/explanation of the vent issue you mention. Also shot from hallway towards opening so what is outside the opening is understood. At first glance, could you install a set of French doors set at an angle across the opening? Depends on what is outside of opening near railing…

I feel like the barn door idea is out as the vent would be in the way. My dad is a structural engineer and said dry wall is possible but I want to maintain an open feel whether that be a window, clear door, or something else. I figured there would be more people with ideas 😁

Great, these pictures gives a better indication of the return air situation. Responses take a while to get rolling. Give it a few days… any idea if this is the main upstairs return? If guessing yes. Needed to draw in heat rising from downstairs, so it really needs to stay in the open area above foyer.

Sheets of plexiglass attached in front of the stair balusters with cable ties will prevent toy throwing between the balusters. I’m assuming you have a baby gate at the top of the stairs- they do make ones with plexiglass.

Yes it is the main return upstairs. 🙃

Carolae we do have a gate at the top and bottom of stairs. I’ve considered a banister net but I feel like the whole house is gates and barriers 😂 plexiglass seems like a good option!

I had plexiglass installed by a baby proofing company years ago- I don’t know what he used to put holes in the plexiglass for the cable ties. They were pretty unobtrusive and it was quite a while after they were no longer needed before we got around to removing them. The baby gate at the bottom of the stairs stayed in place for the puppy :)

even if you DIY it with just getting the plex cut to size say at home depo then just drill little holes in it and zip tie it to the banister for now?

Are you looking for a short term toy blocker or long term noise reducer? You mentioned competing TV noise between this upstairs room and the open down stairs? Something like a vertical wood slat wall might work for both issues as they could be set closer together than this picture suggests but not block air flow. This look might be a bit too contemporary for your home as your current banister/spindles look quite traditional, but your furnishings & art lean towards contemporary so… maybe? The slat wall would act like a noise baffle between the downstairs and the lofted second floor.

Howistyle I am looking for long term noise blocker. I know eventually it will be a kids hangout room and I want to be able to shut that off when needed. I’m thinking sleepovers are going to get noisy with girls involved 😂

Maybe something like this for long term giggle proofing :-) Hard to tell from your photos, but looks like you would need to create an extension on the left hand wall to get it aligned with the right? It would be a shame to lose light between the two spaces so an interior side window with a glass interior door might be a good long term solution. I think angled French doors would look “hacked.” This would be in addition to the short term plexiglass suggestion to avoid being toy bombed for the next year or two. :-)
BTW it’s a great space & I really like your artwork!

Looks like you could close off the railing at the top of the steps with a full wall - that would allow you to add a barn door.

Howistyle YES! This is what I’m going for! I don’t want to lose my light! Thank you- hatch show prints are local to Nashville (I’ve had gallery walls in my other houses but I have too many for one wall now!). We have been here a little over a year now and it’s obvious the sound will become an issue. Still working on decorating to get what I want - curtains have finally been ordered. The blue chairs made it a challenge. This angel may help describe the room better.

Yeah, I think that would work and then you can always use that room as a guest room/ den (when not being used for sleepovers of course) Now that I see the rest of your space, white framed more traditional paned glass partition & door might be more in keeping with your style? More modern farm house? Open lofted homes are beautiful with the double height, but noise control is an issue! Glad you think this might help!

Howistyle - yes! Love your idea. Had not thought about taking the wall that way. Both glass would be ideal for sure! Thank you!

This is what I had in mind but having one side fixed?

Yes! Beth, that is what I am envisioning too, but more a proper framed in door than a sliding panel. I think that would look great. If you have a good re-use it center near you, you might be able to find an old window you could use for the fixed side panel and an old single French door. Finding someone to build it all for you might be a challenge so hopefully your dad is a handy structural engineer! I’m excited to see how it turns out!!