I like it. I can't comment on all of your concerns but I think 4' will be enough for the opening to the family room and I agree that the mudroom doesn't need the extra door/framed opening between the garage closet and mudroom.

Some things that I would consider changing but may not be a big deal to you include the front porch and the fireplace. I would make the front porch at least 8ft if you plan to use it. If your fireplace is not wood burning but a gas fireplace then you could consider centering it on the "stairs wall" in the family room. This could allow another wall of windows on the right outside wall which would allow for more light and a more open feel. It would also allow you to view guests on arrival from the front door if you are seated in the family room and you could consider placing your tv to the side of the fireplace instead of over the mantel. I can't read the exact dimensions of your family room so moving your fireplace may not be an option if it won't allow space for you furniture but I wanted to offer it up as something to consider.

The only other thing I see at the moment is the door connecting your laundry room to the master suite. It wouldn't bother me but my DW would not like it at all. Kids get frightened at night and may try to take the back way to mom and dad's room. This may cause some problem if you forget to lock the door.

I would consider having a guest bedroom on main level, particularly for grandparents. The library could be used for this purpose (consider a Murphy bed). You would need a small closet and a reasonably accessible full bath.

With all plans, I think there is value is putting in the furniture to make sure everything will fit how you want.

I love our door from master closet to laundry room... but we don't have kids. :) It's incredibly convenient for couples with different schedules.

I don't love the hallway to get to your master closet/bathroom. Potentially, that space could be reworked and integrated into the bathroom or the closet (maybe by switching the bathroom and closet... have the bedroom open directly into the bathroom.) If you keep it how it is, think about having a door from your master bedroom to that hallway. That way someone can leave the bedroom, get ready, and sneak out the back way without going back in the bedroom.... you're able to block out more noise and/or disrupt a sleeping spouse less...

whallyden--Welcome! Congratulations on planning your new home! I really like the nice open layout and it appears to be well thought out. There really isn't much I would change with it, but I will respond with thoughts on your concerns and the few things I see.

4' is fine for the opening into the family room, but I would prefer it to be larger if this was my home as the rest of the house has a very open feel. You could do a few different things to open it up--1) move the powder room wall back to line up with the short walls that separate the kitchen from the family room, 2) cut the corner on the library to the right, 3) shorten the wall the first run of stairs are on or do away with the wall altogether and do an open staircase on that side.

As far as the mudroom goes, I couldn't zoom your layout enough to make out all the notations on what things are, but I agree you have alot of doors. I would do away with the one that leads from the garage entry vestibule into the next part of the mudroom--I'd probably go ahead and enlarge that doorway as much as I could to make it seem less like 2 little rooms and more like a single mudroom. I'd also either delete the porch door into the mudroom or move it to the garage adjacent to the garage door. That way you reduce the doors in that small space + you reduce the # of direct entry doors into your house decreasing your security risk.

Stairs--10-11" depth for treads is plenty. I would make sure you have at least 42" of width of actual space between the banister and the wall. I would duplicate at least 42" for the depth of the landing. Although you could get away with less, that nice wide space makes getting furniture up & down the stairs MUCH easier.

I'd suggest pocket doors for the laundry room doors--swing doors make it very tight and limit the use of the room and appliances when the doors are open. Also, I would soundproof the walls in the laundry room so you don't get sound transfer of the washer & dryer running. I know I usually have a load running in the washer and 1 in the dryer when I go to bed. I'd also make sure you have solid core doors on the laundry room and master bedroom for sound reasons as well.

Doing away with the bumpouts in the 2 libraries, the family room and the upstairs bedrooms will save you $$$. They don't really add alot of usable square footage & you can get just as dramatic an effect + natural light maximization without the bumpouts.

I would prefer the powder room be closer to the mudroom--if you're working outside or playing with the kids outside, its a long way to use the facilities. Plus if you are dirty from your outdoor activities you may be tracking a trail of dirt through the mudroom, kitchen and either the family room or the left library and front entry.

I would center the front door with the front of the house--it appears to be off center to the left a bit. The window in the J&J bath appears to be centered, so if the door is not, it will stick out like a sore thumb.

Overall a very nice layout & I can't wait to see proposed elevations! Hope this was helpful!

@bb19: In my mind, the porch only exists to shield people at the front door. In all likelihood the partial wrap around will be deleted in the next draft - leaving just enough porch to cover the front face of the house. The fireplace will be wood burning and likely remain in the current position. The living room is 20x18 currently. The doors into the laundry room will both be pocket doors in the next draft.

@lolauren: I have a pet peeve regarding closets that require passing through a bathroom, so I can't see myself re-orienting the closet and bath. However, I agree that placing a door between the bedroom and the closet bath is worthwhile -- thanks for the suggestion.

@mydreamhome: Fully agree that the wall and door inside the mudroom needs to go. I'm also in favor of deleting the mudroom coat closet for a built-in "drop-zone" or more lockers. Totally agree on pockets into the laundry room and need for additional sound-deadening material. Regarding powder room placement, I think we'll need to tough it out as drawn. Just measured and front door is centered as drawn.

Only had time to do a quick glance, but I would switch the layout of the powder room. Including the door, but this way you don't have a view into the powder room from the family room if somebody leaves the door open.

I like your plan. I think your architect did a great job. I actually like the hallway of windows leading to your master bath.

You will not like your refrigerator placement. Definitely, before you build, take your plan to the kitchens forum for comment and help.

@Kirk: Truer words have not been spoken. We hope to meet with our KD in the next few weeks.