Could you add a door at the bottom of the stairs?

We considered it but we don't want to cut off the light to the dark second floor and thought it may create a multi- unit look. Thank you for reaching out.

I'd really have to see the exact space to comment.

It also sounds like noise would not be much of an issue, as you describe it

This is the layout presently.

Going to something like below but taking away the bedroom wall.

Sorry.....the photos don't enlarge and are hard to see. Actual phots of the space would be best.

I am an empty-nester, and just moved into a new house that has an open stairway from the ground floor to the basement, and from the ground floor to the second (bedroom) floor, partly to bring in light from multiple windows in the stairwell. One thing we didn't consider (though we wouldn't have changed our plans) is that we can't block off our dog or cat from going upstairs or downstairs; sometimes one wants or needs to keep pets on a specific floor.

Also, for your plans, whether or not you have a door between the landing and your bedroom area, I would worry a bit (especially if you plan to stay in the house for a long time) about someone going astray when going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Falling down the stairs is not a good way to wake up.

One of us awakens at 5, the other at 6:30 or 7. How would that work? The noise from downstairs would be a problem for us. I cannot imagine the lack of privacy if an adult child moves back and overnight guests..... Snoring, trips to the bathroom, formerly private conversations......It looks so Architectural Digest, but I wouldn’t be able to live with it.

Personally, I wouldn't like it. It would make me feel somewhat vulnerable.

Hard to get the sense from pictures, I think.

The only way to make it feel very open, yet still have privacy would be to add a glass wall.

Issaquah Highlands · More Info

Food for thought. Thanks