Based upon the information provide and flexibility, consider these conceptual changes:

Thank you! I like the way that you are thinking of the kitchen a lot.

I think I see that you have just one pair of french doors, and two windows. Is that correct?

That is what the rough sketch shows, but do not take it literally, just use it to inspire better ideas.

Rethink the front entry so one does not enter directly into the living room.

I like Marks kitchen idea and I see no reason for 2 sets of french doors in such a small space . I might think the frnch doors opening out instaed of in but that depends on the size of the deck and what you are planning for out there .

With such a small space, I'd do sliders to the outdoors instead of french doors.

I also like what Mark has done

Mark - thank you so much :)

Mark - thank you so much :)

Yes, Mark's free solution is much better and CAN be taken literally. Just give it to your draftsman to draw up and your house will be much improved.

I'd kill for a bit "more"......and some sense of entry and foyer. A bit more kitchen too.

Also depends where you want counter seating and where you want the deck.

I dislike directly trafficking across a room to get in, and must assume foyer entry is the only entry? . Alas.....we know not budget or lot.

We have no idea climate either

Where will your car go? The space between living and dining looks like where a car would go. Can you have a deck there?

Would you consider swapping the kitchen and dining?

Mark made a nice change to the closets and hall on the right side of the house.

I am not sure if it is a good idea to give away free services, but a better layout seemed so obvious to me; at least shows the benefit of getting a competent designer involved in designing a home to those reading, and I always recommend a local architect. For me it is entertainment and knowing some people see there is always something better out there that with little effort can reap great rewards.

There are other minor adjustments that could be made that would improve the plan, but I will leave that to others, I have to get to work. Enjoy your new home.

I have at times over the years given free avice that came bck to me with a job so not all bad.I agree that is why we come on here.

Agree. Obvious or not, typically it's not a good idea to give away free professional services. But this isn't a Habitat for Humanity project or for someone who's house burned down. It's for someone who's likely building because their bank account says they can. And they've probably gotten to that point by valuing their own expertise in whatever they do and charged others handsomely for it. And since ideas have value, why should you give those away for free, again, obvious or not? You've occasionally reminded us Mark how you need to up your rates and make more money anyway.....lol....

And I seriously doubt it has much effect on those reading to run right out and hire someone. If anything, it encourages them to post here first so you can do it for free. Why wouldn't they? And she doesn't even need to take to a designer, it's ready to go for the draftsman. And of course, as a professional, he/she will want to be paid. Don't think there's going to be any free work there.

Thank you all!

Location - PNW. Maybe 5-10 days of snow a year, 5-10 days of really high heat, mostly moderate. A whole lot of grey and misty. Light is important here in the winter, which is a big reason why I want to add in as many windows/ doors as possible.

More context on location - in total, on .6 of an acre, split up into three distinct parcels. I'm keeping this build on one parcel since I have animals on the other two (2 horses, chickens, ducks/goose). It's a tight fit, but works. I currently live on a manufactured trailer in the middle parcel which will be moved once the build is completed.

Cost - The basic house is 170k (minus painting and deck), and I'm hoping to keep it to 300k or less, including site prep. This is a house on a tight budget. This is with a builder who is locally known for doing inexpensive but good basic builds, and is one company like this that I've heard universally good feed back on. I have several of their houses. While it won't be a dream come true house, it will be a nice basic house :)

Car - I'm not doing a garage. I've personally never had a garage, and don't really feel the need to have one. It also doesn't fit in the parcel that I have now - while I could combine lots to give me more building space, it just doesn't feel like a priority to me. I currently park on the middle parcel, and will continue to do that (In front of, to the right of the spare bedroom/office/gym)

On the free consulting - I ran a consulting business for three years, so I'm super sensitive to free services. Personally, I did give away free advice often. I did it because I enjoyed it, and I knew that my expertise was far greater than what could be offered in a few pieces of advice, and I did find that it ultimately did bring new customers in. I also fully respect that there are many different viewpoints on it. Mark - I really appreciate you taking the time and your expertise, as well as the others.

For me? It just gets my brain in gear @ four or five am w/ no serious consequences in outcome to be followed in a real setting with a real client. I call it take it or leave it.....: ) advice.

Or......in a case when I can not UN SEE something - the lack of a dedicated entry, obviously.. Drives me a bit crazy. Rather like a woman undressing at the table before an appetizer is served ? Yikes! ( Mark will tell me that analogy is pretty pitiful )

Yes to more windows, especially both bedrooms

I'm considering putting French doors on opposite sides of the dining room, and having them open up to a deck on either side. Instead of a dining room table, I would put in a kitchen nook.

- No to two sets of French doors. Go with a single set of doors /match them with windows on the other side. Windows are cheaper to install, more energy efficient, and can't accidentally be left unlocked.

- If you feel you must go with two sets of doors, consider sliders instead of French doors. You can get "gliders" with insets that look more like French doors, and they don't "swing in" /don't require a space to "park" the doors, making them a better choice for this small space.

- The kitchen space and the dining space are roughly the same size. What about flip-flopping the two spaces? You'd still have a U-shaped kitchen ... it'd just be tucked into the corner. Go with a round /oval table, which would make circulation easier.

- As shown, one big issue is that your dining area will be able to hold a small table /will be lovely with the windows, BUT you have only one small bottleneck entrance to the dining room. Flip-flopping the two spaces would fix this problem.

- Skip the stool seating, as shown on the plan. Your space is small, and you don't really have space to do a table + stools well. You could do a set of shallow cabinets facing the dining area, if you want the countertop to be deeper.

I agree with the foyer, but I'm also not too terribly worried about adding it in. I have two very large dogs, and them plus small narrow space is just a lot of dog :)

I am going to move the door though - I agree that the current position is just off, and I like the bank of closets much more.

It might make sense to extend the bedroom side of the house out a couple of feet so that the hallway closet space isn't so tight into the living room. Maybe?

It's not a narrow foyer, and it beats the daylights out of dogs tearing across a family room with no stop for a paw wipe! that includes humans and an ordinary rainy day.

There is room for improvement in this design, but it is best improved by someone that can meet with the OP and find out their needs and visit the site.

My input in these discussions during my breaks hopefully show a little of what an architect does (as off the wall some of my comments may be). I am a visual person and problem solver, so many of my thoughts are partially in drawing form. It may be giving away my talents for others to build a home, but I give more than just my talents to many that do not even have a home. I have found that many people do not even know what an architect does or what a wide range of services they offer. Granted not all architects are alike or offer the same services, but they all have basically the same education and licensing requirement, although their experience may vary drastically. Shop for an architect you can be a good fit and work with and hopefully their input on your house's design can enhance the rest of your life.

If nobody asks me if I 'draw blueprints' for the rest of my life, I will think one goal will be achieved.