I had the same thought as Beverly. Float a sofa with its back to the door and a sofa table behind it to act as a foyer table. TV opposite the FP or left of the dining room doorway. From the two coat areas in their entry, I wonder if they had a garage or back door mudroom. The utilitarian racks take a lot away from the architecture of the room.

I'm not a lover of sitting at the entry door. Definitely no coats. Try the sofa back to the door layout. But honestly? I'd make a generous dining room there and cozy up for seating in what is the current dining, unless you have no kitchen seating for daily meals. I hate the "plop" you're in thing. Anywhere. jmho. Hard to say without seeing other spaces.

Is this a flip renovation at some point? it seems like they moved the doorway to the hallway as its off. Not sure of whats going on in the hallway but can you flip the doorway so the opening to the hall is near the door vs in front of the fireplace? It seems so crowded at the door and you have allot of dead space at the hall access

I’m sure we would all have a better comment or three if we had a measured drawing of the living room, dining room and the hallway behind the LR wall.

To deb s's point, I don't think we'll be in a position to move the hallway door, but I see your point.

@felizlady, I agree and once we're able to get measurements we'll make those available!

@BeverlyFLADeziner, *thank you* for the layout idea! We'll give that one a shot.

I would be interested to see a photo of the exterior. My inclination (living in Canada, with long messy winters) would be to consider adding an entrance addition, if it could be designed to harmonize with the exterior architecture. Of course, this would be an expensive solution. If you live in a warm, dry climate, though, and entering directly onto the hardwood floor of your living room is not a problem, I like Beverly's layout, but would change the front door so it swings the other way (toward the fireplace) and add a wardrobe for coats and boots in the corner where the star is. Something attractive, but that does not stand out too much and draw attention. I feel that without changing the door swing, there would be a congested traffic pattern at the entrance, with people trying to get around the sofa, and deal with coats and footwear.