Yikes, yes, that post is scary-looking.

You mentioned TV watching versus kitchen work. We find that we, and guests, gravitate to the room the TV is in, even when it's off! When we were redecorating the FR and moved the TV to the LR, we used the LR a lot more. Toys even got put away more! Would you consider adding a TV to your Living room?

Or, what about turning the living room into a nice, spacious dining room with room for all? If there's a bit too much room, you could add a small sitting area at one end, just two chairs with a table between. (That would have been my "mom spot" when my kids were little, where I could hear everything going on while I quietly read or chatted on the phone.)

Thank you for your comment. The post has been there for over a year now so my husband and I almost forget it's even there! haha we actually have an enormous TV in the living room. I think one of the major issues with flow is that the living room has only one entrance/exit and I don't love having my kitchen mess on display in the big open room.

Are you open to moving the kitchen?

Yes. FYI - we do have an architect we are working with. The problem is my husband and I are having a hard time selecting a plan. We specifically have a hard time with the two challenges mentioned above. Thanks!