We are rebuilding old house down to the studs. This family room with fireplace has no walls on any side. (See old pic below of our house) Kitchen opens up to family room with fireplace. Kitchen extends about 3 feet passed the half wall you see. L shaped kitchen. The room right next to family room is our living room ( we will putting a TV in “ living room”.

Please keep post mostly about family room. Already posted about my kitchen.

The house has 3 levels - each level a little over 1100 square feet.

Should we keep it open to living room (opening is 72 inches between room) or close off those 72 inches.
Option 1) Keep it open and buy a barn door ( modern not farmhouse style)
Option 2) close it off

My concern is there is less room for furniture if we leave it open. Just my husband and myself and 2 teenagers. I know it is modern to put furniture in middle of room but these rooms are somewhat narrow. So worried about limited furniture arrangement if we keep it open. Also I love my house but always hated that family room and living room were shared a wall. We have a decent size dining room behind the kitchen.

In either case, do you have furniture ideas for family room? New kitchen will extend about 3 feet passed that half wall you see. We are not taking down entire load-bearing wall…not in our budget and may be too big anyway. Thank you for any help as I need to make a decision asap!