What to do with front living room?

[Anonymous]

When we were looking to move from city to suburbs, I really wanted a house with only one main living space.

We found one, fell in love, but didn't get the house. Ended up with the layout you describe, OP, and now I totally love it. Front room has wall to wall bookshelves and is the quieter space.

We use both rooms every day!

[Anonymous]

We did a library with piano.

Our kids are just starting piano lessons now so we may add French doors (we sized the opening to accommodate doors).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the PP who keeps a TV in there. I would not close it off, you will end up with a narrow closed hallway and awkward layout. The large cased openings are graceful, even though I totally understand how they diminish the utility of the room. Your floorplan needs breathing room.

I grew up with a formal living room and it is nice to have somewhere for guests to sit, although we decided it would be a waste if we did not do family activities in there also. If you don't need it for anything obvious, I would live with it a while and see what happens organically. There's no rush to furnish or remodel it.

I agree with not doing anything dramatic with it for a while. See how it feels. Worst case it's not used a ton, but why waste a lot of money for something you don't know what to do with.

+1. Live with it a while and see what you think. Dry wall on all the walls would make the entry way very constricted. French doors would be better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I didn't realize that so many wouldn't understand what I meant. I feel like most houses in this area are set up this way.

This is what I mean, found this by googling:



The formal living room is completely open and only has two full walls. The open sides both have very wide cased openings, so it's difficult to close off with a full wall of room dividers, and french doors will be too narrow even the widest ones available. I guess we could put in some dry wall but then that would mean removing the cased opening?

The kids will have their own play room right off the family room in the back, so no need for a separate adult space. Currently we're thinking to use it as an office, but would need to add dry wall on both cased openings.

Link didn't work: http://merion-homes.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=downloadModal&imgGalP=davenport-floor-plan-image-gallery/DAVENPORT-MARKETING-8TH-SCALES-1-2-FULL.jpg

Our front room isn't connected to the DR...you could put a wall there to close it off?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have two living spaces- one clean adult space (piano, books, comfy chairs, fireplace) and a family room with the couch, tv and toys. I love walking into the house and seeing the clean adult space first. And I can entertain there while daughter is in family room.

This describes our house. It is nice to walk into the foyer, and then to the rights see the clean comfy relaxing space you describe to read, nap, visit with other adults, and decorate. Same with a dining room. The "open concept" family room, kitchen, casual dining area can handle the rest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Turntable. Bar cart. Two chairs.

Kids not allowed. Place for mom and dad to chill.

Bingo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Turntable. Bar cart. Two chairs.

Kids not allowed. Place for mom and dad to chill.

Bingo.

Lol. I'm not sure if this is a joke or not, but I would 100% drink a Tom Collins in that room. And enjoy it. Not ironically. Legitimately enjoy it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thats a tough floor plan. I agree with others not to do anything dramatic with the space until you've lived there for a while.

If you NEED it as an office, close off the dining room and try to use as wide of doors as possible to keep it and the foyer airy

Wow that's gorgeous. I wonder where to get these kind of doors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Turntable. Bar cart. Two chairs.

Kids not allowed. Place for mom and dad to chill.

Bingo.

Lol. I'm not sure if this is a joke or not, but I would 100% drink a Tom Collins in that room. And enjoy it. Not ironically. Legitimately enjoy it

Not a joke at all. Would LOVE to have an adults only space right now, but sadly don’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Sorry that I wasn't clear. There is a foyer, but right to the left or right of the foyer is often this open room that has only two walls.

And each opening is super wide, so it's hard to imagine that any doors could fit that space.

Ours was wide. They added glass panels to create a wall on either end, and then French doors in the middle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Turntable. Bar cart. Two chairs.

Kids not allowed. Place for mom and dad to chill.

Bingo.

Lol. I'm not sure if this is a joke or not, but I would 100% drink a Tom Collins in that room. And enjoy it. Not ironically. Legitimately enjoy it

I’d enjoy anything with January Jones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Sorry that I wasn't clear. There is a foyer, but right to the left or right of the foyer is often this open room that has only two walls.

And each opening is super wide, so it's hard to imagine that any doors could fit that space.

Ours was wide. They added glass panels to create a wall on either end, and then French doors in the middle.

You could also add one or two sets of pocket doors with bookcases.

But I agree, lots of ideas on Pinterest. Given that you also have a study, I would definitely suggest a nice cocktail area. Just makes sense off the dining room anyways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Sorry that I wasn't clear. There is a foyer, but right to the left or right of the foyer is often this open room that has only two walls.

And each opening is super wide, so it's hard to imagine that any doors could fit that space.

Ours was wide. They added glass panels to create a wall on either end, and then French doors in the middle.

Who are they? What company did you use?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Sorry that I wasn't clear. There is a foyer, but right to the left or right of the foyer is often this open room that has only two walls.

And each opening is super wide, so it's hard to imagine that any doors could fit that space.

Ours was wide. They added glass panels to create a wall on either end, and then French doors in the middle.

Who are they? What company did you use?

We used a local carpenter to do it. He suggested some glass that would work well. The glass wall part is the same as the glass in the doors. Kind of translucent but not see-through. We also got soundproofed glass since we have kids.

[Anonymous]

I would either do a formal sitting room with piano or a library with piano. I like pianos haha.