Look at Bmorepanic's layout on Fri, Mar 12, 10 at 12:09; it has a similar layout for a range on that wall...only with more work room. You really need more than 12" next to a doorway for safety's sake. While 12" may be Code, that doesn't mean it's best, especially if you have/are planning to have gas. There also isn't much workspace room overall next to it...I know it's better than what she currently has, but that doesn't mean it's enough or that it can't be even better. Another consideration...be sure to have at least a 24" overhang if you have the range (or cooktop) in that location. I do not recommend seating behind a range or cooktop, but if you insist on doing it, at least make it safe! Venting will also be an issue...for truly adequate venting, you need an overhead range hood...in this case, you'll need an "island range hood". [The majority of downdrafts are ineffective. Telescoping downdrafts are better, but then you have a vent in front of anyone sitting there and it's only effective for items right next to it and shorter than it by several inches.] About island range hoods... First, island range hood's are more expensive than wall hoods. Second, an island hood will hang down in front of anyone working or sitting there, will block the view to/from the DR & Kitchen, and will put the noise of a hood in your visitor's ears...and if you put in a raised bar, it's even worse b/c your visitors will be sitting another 6" higher and closer to the hood. Third, island range hoods need to be larger and/or stronger than wall hoods b/c of the increased air currents...meaning more $$ and more noise. Noise can be cut down by getting an even stronger hood and running it on low, but that adds yet more $$$ Fourth, that hood hanging down will most likely be a "commanding presence"...unless you get a low profile hood (meaning a thin hood) and/or glass (which means cleaning it often)...but those hoods have even less capture capability b/c there's no place to trap smoke/steam/grease/odors/etc. for venting out...so that means an even larger hood and more power and probably mounting even lower. IMHO, it's made even worse b/c the area is so small...a large hood will overwhelm that small peninsula. There are three main differences b/w BmorePanic's layout & JohnLiu's: Seating on the DR side of the kitchen. Is there room to take 24" of counter + seating space out of it? I can't tell from the pictures. Refrigerator location...I like John's location better b/c it puts it on the periphery and allows outsiders to get to it w/o interfering with those working in the kitchen DW location....I like Bmorepanic's better...it keeps the DW out of the Cooking Zone and out of the best Prep Zone...also across from the range. Why is that the best Prep Zone? Two reasons: (1) Because it's directly across from the range so going back & forth is easier and (2) It's out of traffic coming in/out of the kitchen. ...

It would be possible to put a play corner in the first two drawings but not in alternative 2. I would recommend a corner of storage furniture to corral the toys. I am usually a fan of built-ins but not in this case because eventually the kids will outgrow their toys and you won't need that storage there anymore. The built-in exception would be a window seat under one of those windows on the plans. Some of the storage could be cabinets or bookshelves for bins or toys underneath a window seat. I'm not a fan for toy box style storage because they either become a black hole or the kids throw everything out of them looking for what they want and then do't put the rest of it back. As for the kitchen placement, near to the deck would be best in you like to eat outdoors on the deck or entertain on the deck. We entertain a lot and the kitchen is on the other side of the house from the patio. It's a real pain and a big part of my design brief for the architect was for the kitchen to be next to the patio. I even wanted a pass-through window from the kitchen sink to the patio for ease of clean up but unfortunately I wasn't able to work that out.

Here is my first cut at your space. Rev. 1 (and btw, super-duper measurements!! kudos!). I put an approximately 11' length of sofa along the wall and since you have that short wall before the windows, I put a large ottoman type piece. I put a swivel chair in "corner" of the living space near the windows so you can swivel to converse or watch TV? maybe, or swivel toward windows for views. I put a 60" long (max. to maintain walking space to other part of the apartment) and keep it 16" deep because it will stick out 17-18 with baseboard, cords, etc. Set TV on that console. I put a 52 x 30 coffee table that would be 18" from the front edge of seating area. You could also put a small round decorative stool/table, beside the swivel chair for a place for someone to set a drink/cup of coffee, etc. Now to the dining area. To get a nominal seating for six in this area, you need a 30" wide table and you might have to have it made. A live edge custom table with metal base might be great in your space if that is a style you might like. Then in the living area, go modern and sleek. I would do the coffee table, even smaller if you wish with glass top and metal base to work with the dining elements you select. The chairs at the dining table have to be really narrow across the front seat edge. That is the big challenge. This table is 60" long and 30" wide. For every day, 4 chairs could be placed there, two on each side with the additional two chairs in the corners just to give a more open feel and help maintain views. You will need some additional lighting and a arc lamp would work well on the fireplace end of the sofa and you might want another floor lamp beside the window end of the TV console. Unless you shorten the sofa on the long wall, you have no space for end tables and lamps. So something to think about when shopping. I put a 36x16" bench in front of the fireplace for one person. The seating area will only seat 5 so total would be 6. You could bring in a chair from the dining set if needed and just squeeze folks in. Watch the size of cushions for any sectional you buy, each person needs at least 24" of space, and generally don't like sitting next to each other. Also, TIP, make sure your sectional pieces join together "under" the pieces so you don't have brackets on sides. This allows for greater flexibility in "next" house and even if you just want a seasonal change of some kind here. I'll play a bit more with this later today and see what other options I can come up with for you.

Thanks for the suggestions, Nancy! Putting the dining table on the side like that helps with the "choke point" that we currently get between the table and wall in the centre of the room. Any suggestions for what you would do with the extra space towards the kitchen, since the dining table is no longer in that space? I agree about the bench: We were thinking about getting this table: https://ca.transformertable.com/pages/the-dining-set which has a matching extending bench to go along the window. I don't want any built in units on the ends because I want to be able to extend the table across the majority of the room when a lot of company is over.