What to do with front living room?

Anonymous
In a lot of houses that we're looking at there is a living room right to the left or right of the foyer, and in most cases there is no door plus it is open to another room right next to it. In our home countries we didn't really have this feature, so to us this is kind of a wasted space.

We do not want to use it as an extra living space because we only need one family room. Does anybody have any creative suggestions for how this room can be used? And maybe it can be closed off?
Anonymous
It is my pet peeve when the front door opens to the living space. There are ways to create entry ways.
Anonymous
Google how to create a foyer. You should get some ideas - half walls etc.
Anonymous
Add French doors and make it into an office.

Library with a bat cart.

Piano with a couple chairs.

Anonymous
We added doors and made it an office
Anonymous
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.
Anonymous
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.
Anonymous
We have this exact set-up. We have the TV and piano in there. In our big family room to the rear of the house, we have a sectional that faces the kitchen, and no TV.

Prior owners used the front living room as an office. Our neighbors have it furnished as a library with big shelves. I thought we could use it as a guest room in a pinch (with screens across the doorways) but have not tried that.
Anonymous
Add a glass door so you can have an office or something in there.
Anonymous
This is a pretty traditional set up? Would just Pinterest.
Anonymous
Reading room. My parents have one and it's a cozy after dinner "drawing" room.
Anonymous
What do you need, OP? do you need a spare office or playroom area? It can make a nice library or formal dining room or music room.
Anonymous
Pocket door and make it an office
Anonymous
I'm a little confused. Do you have a living room, dining room and family room?
Anonymous
I can't tell what you are describing -- are these McMansions (which tend to have random useless rooms that make no sense) or traditional 1940s colonials (which often have a traditional living room with a porch/sun room off of it).
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