We have LR to the left, DR to the right in a traditional center hall colonial. I love it because our LR and DR are nice and always clean (because we rarely use them). The kitchen is straight ahead (so you walk through the foyer to get to the DR. It's not a long walk!).

Anonymous wrote:I have a 1930s house and the original (and current) floor plan is that the dining room is on one side of the foyer and the living room on the other side. I don't think it's weird at all

Agree, that's basically the premise of a center hall colonial revival house.

I have a 1930s house and the original (and current) floor plan is that the dining room is on one side of the foyer and the living room on the other side. I don't think it's weird at all

Anonymous wrote:Does this mean the DR would no longer be next to the kitchen?

This is my big question too. Where is the kitchen? I wouldn't make the flip if you were going to separate the dining room from the kitchen.

I don't think it matters as long as you don't make the DR table the dumping ground for everything and that it's not unreasonably far from the kitchen if you want to serve food there.

I'd consider doing a half wall thing to make a foyer, e.g.,
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/63/e4/d4/63e4d4d2150b4740804b240b4ad1a50e.jpg

http://hansonmillwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Tapered-columns-and-knee-walls.jpg

Doesn't sound like you have a foyer now so if you can create one I say go for it. I do think you'll want to think about juxtaposition of dinning room to kitchen but there are no real rules. A room is a room; use it as you see fit.

Does this mean the DR would no longer be next to the kitchen?

Center hall foyer flanked by a dining room on one side and a living room on the other is a very traditional design. Just make the doors wider and use nice trim. It sounds lovely.

Two fireplaces? I am so jealous!

We are buying a new house (a 1930s colonial). As-is, you walk in the front door into the living room and the dining room is off to the other side. I am considering adding a wall to make a foyer area (making the now-LR a little smaller) and then flip-flopping the LR and DR.

Any thoughts on walking into the foyer and seeing right into the dining room? Is it weird? Both rooms have fireplaces and the current DR (which might be my LR) is actually a better size and shape for family-room type activities.

Thoughts?