Hello, I am writing as I am feeling frustrated about my living room. I've poured over so many of the photos on this site, but none seems to be "it."
My living room is about 20' x 22' and has a lot of challenges: no entryway, one length of a wall has a fireplace between two windows (the only ones in the room) and the front door, both walls on either side of that wall has a door (one has a pocket door leading to a hallway and bathroom; the other goes straight into the office), and the last "wall" is about 2/3 the length of its parallel wall as it has a big open hallway that lead to the dining/kitchen and stairs.
My goals: more light, better flow (currently, the room -- the biggest in the house -- is used like a hallway/entryway because there isn't a lot of ways to have conversation seating given that we also have a big piano, and this is the only place where it can fit), better use of the room in general.
I am so lost that now I'm thinking of maybe switching out rooms, meaning putting the dining room here in the living room and the living area near the kitchen. While this seems crazy to have such a huge dining room and small living space, I can't think of what else to do. (Plus, the kitchen/dining are south facing and get the most light.) Another idea I've been thinking about is knocking down one or both of the short walls. What makes me hesitate though is that both of these rooms as well as the living room face the street, which would not allow for much privacy, if I want natural light.
Another fact: I have two little kids (both under five), so the house needs to be kid-safe/kid-friendly and with a little space for them to run around.
Thanks for reading, and I appreciate any and all ideas, comments, suggestions.
P.S. I've attached some photos, but please excuse the mess! The stomach flu took us all out last week, so not a lot of tidying up has happened recently.