Oh no! Everything can go?! Not the cat please... ;)

What about an office/reading room? Desk, comfy chairs, bookshelves with closed storage.

But seriously, here are some ideas for a front room that I've been looking at:
https://www.houzz.com/magazine/19-double-duty-living-rooms-stsetivw-vs~348153

Ha! The animals definitely stay! The cat does request a perch by the windows!

It looks like great sitting room or library. I agree with you about the pool table, not the first thing you want guests to see. Our front room wasn't used very much so we added two comfy chairs with leather ottomans for storage & a love seat. It's my favorite room now. There's no room for a tv so we were always in the family room.

sorry but i have to disagree,why not make it a gameroom with storage,this table can be both pool and table???

Is what you want a game room with storage, but with the look and feel of a library or sitting room?
What size is the room? Depending on space, the wall of book shelves with closed cabinets at the bottom would be great and the Pool table/ dining table combination, then have slipper chairs around a round small table for visiting, drinks, or playing board games, or just relaxing with coffee in the morning... useful for everyday use, but neat and tidy too... unless I have the wrong idea for what you want for use.... but you said you have a living room, and a large kitchen, so this room could "marry" the two together

Some considerations concerning a pool table. A real pool table is huge and heavy; the bed is slate. It could never be flipped to do double duty as a dining table. It also requires a lot of space around it to actually be used. It's hard to tell, but it looks like this room might be a tad small to shoot pool without hitting the cue sticks on the walls. And, if you did put a pool table in here, there would pretty much be room for nothing else.

Yes, size of room is a big consideration.... perhaps bumper pool,/game table combo but with more living room styled chairs???

Across the entire long blank wall build bookshelves with cupboards on the bottom for kids' storage, but leave an alcove in the middle for a comfy loveseat (or built-in cushioned bench seat with cupboards underneath) with swing arm lamps on the inside bookshelf walls, and continuing a bookshelf across the top. A small narrow coffee table in front of the couch.....and a big mirror over the couch will open up the wall. A small-scale upholstered chair can sit to the right (as I look at the picture) of the loveseat at the end of the coffee table. Move your upholstered chair to the corner by the kitchen door where the toy boxes are, with a standing lamp behind it......or use your existing upholstered chair next to the loveseat and put the rocker in the corner with a lamp. On the short wall next to the front hall door, your chest is good for more storage, but move it down closer to the corner chair, put a low, fat lamp on the door side so y can turn it on when you enter the room.....and you might have room for an upright wooden chair next to the hall door, next to the chest. Then add either a colorful print over it, lots of family pictures all framed alike, or a flat screen TV. Keep it a cozy space to watch TV, read. I know you just painted, but this small room would be great with a much darker shade of the same color.....and possibly fabric roman shades in a small pattern. A small patterned rug under the coffee table would add warmth. Sounds like alot to do, but the room will be inviting, and there will still be a path to the kitchen.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I definitely like the ideas of bookcases/storage along the long wall and some seating in between the shelves. Sitting room has definitely crossed my mind but I'm just concerned it won't get used other than when we have company. I want something that would get used everyday and I don't want to add a TV because we already have 3 in the house. The room is about 11x13, definitely too small for a regular pool table, but a smaller one could work. I'm OK with the game room idea, but I'm just not sold on the pool table. I have considered placing a door with frosted glass in the archway by the front door to hide it from front door guests. I'm ok with viewing the room the kitchen.

If you want to use it every day, what kinds of things does your family do? Or what would you do if you had the right kind of room? Do homework, play board games, dance, listen to music, etc. If you want a room to use, I think function comes first. And sadly I don't think you have room for even a small pool table. http://www.robbiesbilliards.com/blogs/news/4540732-how-much-room-do-i-need-for-a-pool-table

I agree, even a small pool table will take over the space, and then you'll have marks on the walls from the pool sticks hitting it too >)....But perhaps a round table for playing cards, games, reading, writing thank yous ( does anyone do that any more?) crosswords, grocery lists to do lists.. with morning coffee or evening book, be sure to have small but comfortable seating... so you'll enjoy using the space. Make it your OWN, not just a show place.

Not sure if it would work or not, with your door openings, but they have coffee tables that raise up to dining table height, that might work for game night, and for every day too?

Fooseball table?

kristheot...thanks for the website.