Need help desperately, the garage door is throwing my layout reno off. We are in a split level with the backside of the house being the kitchen/den area with a fire place. The front is living and dining (formal back in the day).

We currently sit and eat at the front of the house and use the back family/den area as a office/play room along with kitchen. Trying to re-do the kitchen to open it up and be more functional and have more counter space. I've had 3 layouts prepared but not thrilled and leaning towards a galley kitchen, removing the door to the dining room and having a case opening (double pocket doors) further down across from the fireplace. below is the first layout and is the closest to our current floor plan. except the refrigerator is to the right of the sink and we have nothing but a small pantry on that bottom wall which leads to the front of the house (dining).

Back side of the house is darker. Front gets good light. Sliding glass doors lead out to screened porch. Welcoming any and all suggestions. 2 points are that we are on a budget and do not want to go overboard removing walls and having the entire floor open as we like having a bit of separation of space due to the kids toys, etc. Need a space for my desk.

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A-Scale/Measurement