a good edit and removing artificial barriers would help.

I think the only change I'd make would be to put in two room dividers on either side of the front door coming off the porch to create a foyer-like area without losing light or a feeling of openness. Something like these:

2071 Austrian Pine · More Info

Kellogg · More Info

If you like, you could do open shelving with drawers at the bottom for more display room and storage:

Projet Dubois · More Info

You are eliminating the large bedroom closet for a smaller one and eliminating the closet in the living room. Perhaps the smaller bedroom closet will be ok, but where are the coats, boots, boys’ sports equipment going to go without a ”coat” closet? What is the nook for? Necessary items need a specific storage space and need to be put away so overall effect isn’t clutter.

Can you put a window in the kitchen?

Yes! I want as much light as possible but am not sure the best way to orient the kitchen

I like the original layout. The front door is probably not used everyday so I wouldn't worry about creating a drop zone there. I do have some questions though. Do you have another bathroom elsewhere in the house? Is there a basement? upstairs? Often people will make structural changes when it would make more sense to work with what you have. I'm not sure eliminating big closets will help organize anything. Your kitchen is smaller but if you're careful with your furniture choices you could eliminate the clutter.

Do a peninsula instead of an island and you will gain 3 feet of counter and cabinet space.

Where the kitchen is now gives you an outside wall for a window in the kitchen.

You could put the TV (aqua line) on the stair wall would give you a decent seating area. Roundabout entry from the front door but not a burden. A counter height dining table and chairs would allow viewing the TV over those seated in front.

Rough concept sketch:

If you want to flip the two rooms, that's a good idea. You would have a bigger living room.

If it were me, I would spend my money on terrific furniture and storage pieces rather than a reno - an pro organizer to help would also be worth the money I think

FWIW I would replace the couches in the front room with something more comfy and would move the TV out of the window to enable more light there, if a new couch is not in the mix then a nice ottoman would help improve comfort, which you said was a priority

Start by dealing with the storage issues . I honestly can barely see the space for stuff. Take all the boxes off the top of the cabinets . You have no room for stools at that counter , I see only one bedroom where are the rest ? Is there a chance that that bedroom could be converted to TV room I need much more info . Start by removing every single thing you do not NEED for your life , That shelving divider could be storage but not as you have it . I need to see pics of all the spaces in that floor plan . You have a DR lets see it. I need measurements of those spaces .Under stairs can be a great space for stuff rarely used /. I need info . Post all things now related to this in comments here DO NOT start another post Mark all measurements clearly on that floor plan. Is the porch enclosed or open ?

Thank you! So, please ignore the clutter in the kitchen; that photo is just during my cleaning/editing and so it doesn't normally look that overrun with random stuff. I just wanted to show the layout.

For context the home needs to be udpated so I am redoing the kitchen, floors and repairing no matter what. After living in the space for over 10 years I have a good sense of its limitations and would love to consider how to best use the space if I am updating the kitchen regardless but want to balance that against where the best use of my money would be (furniture, increasing square footage, adding a window in kitchen, etc.)

For example, if I am redoing kitchen anyway should I consider a different layout or even swapping the kitchen and LR areas?

I don't think the current closet off side door and exterior closet are the best use of that space given how much it reduces the living area but am open to other suggestions.

Some more info:

There are two bedrooms and a jack and jill bathroom as well as the W/D closet and a hall closet.

The front porch is open- image attached.

I have included measurements in the floorplan attached.

There is a closet under the stair now that is used for the dogs items (food, leashes, etc) and some pantry items like extra drinks, etc. The larger closet has the vacuum, mops, and other cleaning supplies but is a little oversided for that and takes up so much space.

We live in NC and my boys don't wear coats or boots, lol. So I have some hooks by the sidedoor for my coat and purse and a shoe organizer (furniture) where I put my keys etc when I enter.

My goal for the kitchen is better use of space (pull out drawers rather than cabinets, counter flush/smaller fridge, solid surface waterfall island or peninsula and a better layout for the dining area which is really small (maybe bench seating or drop leaf?) or do away with counter stools and do a U shape kitchen instead.

My goal for the LR is to make it a little bigger and more private- it is right there when you open the front door.

I thought about turning the downstairs BR into a family room and using the LR space as more of a sitting area but then I am without a BR. In the past we have done this and I slept in the downstairs closet but I also work from home and need a space to have zoom meetings that is more private and it is hard to find a bed that fits that small space although I am open to doing this again. Once my boys are a little older I will not need as many bedrooms and it would be less of an issue.

I do wonder if I need a designer/organizer to help me think through how to maximize the space I do .have before committing to any structural changes or large scale furniture as my budget is tight and in a space this small every decision has to be intentional. I have tried some free services like Room and Board and Ikea but it wasn't that helpful and I paid a little bit for Havenly but also not super helpful which made me feel the space maybe is unworkable?

Currently there is a full bath upstairs and one downstairs. This is also due for updating.

There is a crawlspace and an attic with a pull down stairs. I thought about refinishing the attic but I think the expense might not be worth it.

Here are measurements and the outside!

Would love to help. Clarification question, is that a half bath or a closet near the side door and the outside storage?

Thank you! It’s a closet but I am open to making it a half bath or reducing its size and even eliminating it to make more space for the living area.

Agree that you need an architect if you’re planning on all the changes you mention - ask around (family, friends p, n’hood Facebook group etc) to get some names

So I’ve been working with a contractor and a team that drafted the plans- do I need an actual architect too?

Oh gotcha, I didn’t realize that - it sounded like you were in the exploratory phase. what are the plans that they have created for you?

Edited to add: ah okay sorry - I was thinking those plans were the original footprint - I didn’t see the changes

You don’t need an architect, we took down a wall and did not involve an architect.

We have plans ( I uploaded them in the original post on this thread) to reduce the closet and external closet to give more space for the living room and move the closet in the bedroom to give more space to the kitchen but before we move forward I wanted to make sure it doesn’t make more sense to maybe flip the kitchen/living room and maybe eliminate the closets to increase that space. There are several challenges such as a 4x3 HVAC headspace in the corner of the kitchen/bedroom that makes for an awkward space and the back doors are not directly across from the front door which makes it harder to divide the space into two sides visually with beams, etc. also, the right and left ends of the home are set in 11 inches which can makes for a tricky bump in if we push back the closets or eliminate them!

I may end up using the bedroom as a living room and the living room as a dining area and then update the kitchen. Then I can sell it as a 3 bedroom but use the space for my needs differently.

Since resale is a consideration, ask your Realtor what ameneties buyers expect to find for homes in your neighborhood and price range.

Also as a remodel, factors such as design elements and layout are important factors and need to be spot on to attract those buyers.

Drawing two was the half bath is a good one. A half bath up there is really a good selling point because then the guest do not have to go through the bedroom to get to a bathroom. Is the downstairs the same depth and length as the upstairs? Do you have a floor plan for the downstairs?

Thanks for the clarification regarding the HVAC

Hi! So currently the downstairs bath is accessible without going through the downstairs bedroom. It’s the only bath downstairs. I don’t have a floor plan upstairs but it is 2BR, 1 bath and a closet for W/D.

The only issue with this is there is no dining area

Got it

If you look at my second sketch, the island could be a round breakfast table. Counter height table and chairs would allow viewing the TV over those seated in front.

Switch the door swing to open the other way and/or create a wall screen(s) as mentioned to block the view into the kitchen or living room from the front door.

I am in the process of drawing up a 3-D rendition for you so that you can get a look at the different options. I’ll be working on that later today. Probably won’t be able to show it to you until tomorrow.

Thank you!!!

Yes! I’m open to that! I would like to have lots of light but am happy to do windows and only one door.

Happy to help!

Good day to you. The rendition is nearly complete. I have a couple of little tweaks I need to make to finalize it. MAE.

Wow!! That sounds amazing! Thank you so much for your assistance!!

Rendition pictures with suggestions for your consideration. Starting with an office area in the main floor bedroom. Mostly to suggest the possibility of putting a corner desk for work in that bedroom.

This is with a full sized bed.

Closet suggestion: This is a double hung clothes rods to give you 5 to 6ft. of hanging space for your clothes. you could also add shelves along one wall for extra storage. We did this in our closet and it works really well.

Next suggestion: Under stairs storage.

Video link for assembly. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/774124930299222/

Link with additional ideas. https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=under%20stair%20storage%20ideas&utm_source=google_search&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_term=under%20stair%20storage%20ideas&utm_pai=21637717425_172526193972_713067495524&creative_id=713067495524_kwd-298164022264&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjPGgjNe5igMVUQetBh12YiUeEAAYAiAAEgLWa_D_BwE&placement=&gad_source=5

Next set of suggestions:

Remove the interior and exterior storage closets to add space for a dining area.

3D kitchen rendition with suggestions for your consideration.

Two pantries added, one that is deep to fit into the 11" bump out

of the house. A waterfall counter with bar for daily meals. One small dining table that can be enlarged by adding leaves for extra seating. One smaller fridge as you suggested. Three feet aisle clearance around the island.

Long view to show an open pathway from one end of the house to the other. I tried to creat open pathways from each door and each side of the house.

Living room rendition with suggestions. Including Smaller back door to make room for the TV and TV console. One swivel chair.

Angled top down views of the rendition.

Swivel chair pic and link: https://www.worldmarket.com/p/megan-upholstered-swivel-chair-105276.html

Pictures of the 3D rendition with yours, @tracefloyd 's suggestions and some of mine, top down views. Hope this helps. Wishing you and yours Happy Holidays and Best Wishes. MAE at MAE Day Designs.

🤔.