If that wall is gone, what about furniture arrangements? You'll have one big space, nothing cozy. If just for the open feel, you could have an opening in it, like a window frame.

In my opinion it is too open already...you are already eating and living in the kitchen...can’t imagine wanting to live in a warehouse ♀️...it’s your house, so do as you please...

At first I thought, "that would really help bring light to the area" but then I realized you have a space for sitting and chatting without using the family room. So if you opened up the wall, it would make it harder to watch TV during daytime without using light block curtains in a LOT of windows. I don't think I would do it, I would keep the family room separate and cozy and conducive to watching a movie together.

Having a mix of open and closed spaces is ideal, and I think you have that now. I would enjoy your interior layout as is and if you really want to spend some money, maybe look at outside spaces.

Removing a load-bearing wall is an expensive plan. In this case, I would not do it because you would end up with one huge open space without walls which help you arrange furniture for several functions. You lose your cosy conversation area and everyone is forced to be in the same room with the tv (it is placed too high for comfortable viewing). While the sports fans are watching tv, the others can’t get away from it.

I would live in the space before deciding something like this. I agree with Pam A, a mix of open and closed spaces is ideal and this house seems to offer that now.

Do you have another living space other than the family room and the sitting area in the kitchen/dining room? If you don't, then I'd leave it as is, personally, since you do have a sitting area in the kitchen already. I think you actually have more flexibility with two rooms.

I would need to see a floor plan and pictures taken without the listing type photos that distort spaces .Why not change the FR to the more formal LR and leave the wall alone

Live in your house for a year if you have not done yet, observe how you use each space. We have a similar thing and I have come to love the separation.

I’m not sure wat u call these. But I guess it’s some kinda partition. I think if u want to move the wall u can use an idea like this not necessarily the same design in the pic but u can search for others. The idea is to have a separation but not to have a cut off look like a solid wall will give. Just my opinion. It’s ur house ad the end of the day.

That’s a nice house. We downsized from a traditional home to an open concept home for our retirement. It’s nice because it does make for a more roomy feel. The down side is that it’s very noisy. The sound echoes in the space without walls to contain it and it’s made my husband and I feel we need hearing aids (maybe we do :) )

Before you remove a wall, live in the space. See how it feels and sounds with TV; with cooking noise; with music. Another thing to consider are children, I would have gone crazy if there wasn’t another room they could go to to make noise. And another room for me to watch my TV and have a little quiet.

We all have individual needs and I’m sure you will come to a decision that’s right for your family. Just don’t feel you need to rush into making that decision.

Good luck!

Why not use the fireplace room as the family room? It’s already open to the kitchen. Use the other room as either dining room, playroom, formal living or media room.

I cannot use the fireplace area as a family room as its very small (the rug is 5x6 for reference) abd there are doors to the outside so we cannot fit any furniture in there other than two small armchairs. We have young children and they are little climbers- so i also don’t want to encourage climbing on the fireplace.

That is partially the reason i would like an opening- not nec take the whole wall down but a large doorway or something- so i can see them playing when I’m in the kitchen

The halfwall Satkin23 shows would open it up nicely but still contain the furniture.

If and when you decide to remove the wall, you will also need to consider the placement of electrical outlets. How will you place your furniture with side tables and lamps?

Right now your lamps are plugged into the wall outlets on the wall that you will be taking down. I have seen outlets in the floor, but it took planning right from the start. It can be done, but the project will expand.

Good luck!