Do you need both dining areas? I you open up walls you could have one dining room, add an island for casual dining and with all tht room possible sitting area too.

If there's a way to fit in a small powder room, even better. Pantry space is needed too.

Please post the layout for the entire first floor.

We're open to renovating - and taking down walls. Obviously it's ideal to keep the budget down, but I am open to moving the kitchen space if it made most sense to move it.

Aside from fitting in a powder room and pantry space, what's your goal with a remodel/renovation? Does the kitchen have adequate natural light? What direction does the kitchen window face?

How many people live in the house and use the kitchen? Do you cook a lot? Bake a lot? Do much canning? Or mostly reheating takeout?

Ideally, you'd use the kitchen for at least a few months so you get a good idea of what works and what doesn't, and what changes need to be made.

Thanks for your input guys!

@Sebago Gal: we don't need two dining areas. I was thinking maybe a casual smaller area (breakfast nook) or just island seating as casual. My kids are young still (2, 6, 8) so stools aren't quite right for them yet.

@beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally: Thanks for all the great questions

I will post the rest of the first floor - but the other side of the stairs is a living room - currently we are not planning on touching that area.

Aside from fitting in a powder room and pantry space, what's your goal with a

remodel/renovation? An open kitchen / dining area. In my current house, this is the space we live in most - though, perhaps it'll be different in this new house.

Does the kitchen have adequate natural light? What direction does the kitchen window face?

No - it faces north-east, and the deck has a covered porch, so not tons of light coming from that side, much to my dismay.

How many people live in the house and use the kitchen?

5 people. Mostly 1 or 2 cooks, 3 kids making a mess.

Do you cook a lot? Daily.

Bake a lot? I wouldn't say a lot. Muffins, and small baked goods.

Do much canning? No, but good idea :).

Or mostly reheating takeout? No, mostly homemade evening dinners, weekend brunches sometimes, dinner parties here & there (hopefully when the pandemic is over).

Ideally, you'd use the kitchen for at least a few months so you get a good idea of what works and what doesn't, and what changes need to be made.

Yeah I totally agree. Unfortunately, with three young kids, our best chance to renovate will be when we still have our old house to live in. I'm sure we'll get some professionals in, and they will have advice input, but I thought houzzers may have some good input as well.

Thanks again!

I'd think about moving the kitchen into what is now the dining room so that is easily combined with your breakfast room. Then I'd use the current kitchen for formal dining. OR combine current kitchen and dining room and use the current breakfast room for a new dining room.

I think you could fit in a small powder room as well.