Without seeing the living room it's hard to say. Do you have furniture against the wall you're considering removing? Why do you want to remove the wall? Some people like everything open plan, some people don't. But removing a wall is not always the best way to solve a problem. Sometimes it just creates other problems. If a space is very open, to me it just looks like an apartment. Instead of removing the whole wall, would a 6 - 8' opening work? Divided spaces can be cozier.

thanks. Yes, I agree, dont want to cause more problems taking down a wall. we were just thinking of doing an opening. we do a lot of entertaining and like the open feel but dont want it too noisy, et.c

is the dining room open to the kitchen?

Although it is load bearing, I would consider the expense in a beam to open it completely. little window opening and posts will only cause other problems.

Think it through.

yes, it is open to the kitchen

what problems will window opening and posts cause? just curious.

we are looking to not put a lot of expense into the project.

there would have to be a pillar or pillars at some points because it would be too far to go with out a support

To be honest you will need to put in a large header to span the wall. It would be better for you to call a local contractor to see what the cost will be to do that. It may not be possible because of being a load bearing wall and the fact that you have already opened up several walls. Sorry, don't mean to cause concern but don't want you to get your hopes up only to have a contractor come in and say no way. But, if you get the right contractor, they can probably take care of you. Best Wishes

What do you lose by opening up the wall. Where is the TV & sofa currently positioned in theliving room. We need to see the other side of the wall.

I can’t tell what your cooling and heating system is, but if it’s forced hot air, then there may be duct work to take into consideration.

Post a floor plan. It will help commenters.

What is your goal in removing all the walls? The open floor plan can pose a host of problems.

What about putting in an archway six or 7 feet wide?

Without seeing more of the adjoining spaces..I would just make both of the exsiting openings to the living room much larger..why does the large arch have a bumpout? I Would change that and make both archways large and the same size.

Do you want to see, hear, and smell everything that happens in each of these rooms all of the time all over your first floor?

Do you want to be able to push furniture against, hang a TV or art on the current dividing wall?

If you do a series of windows and pillars will you then be left with a challenging situation of figuring out how to decorate them and not look like a visual obstacle course in the middle of your house?

That is a very long load bearing wall. Do you want to pay what it will cost to open it up? Does it house any electric or HVAC that will need to be dealt with?

What is your plan for refinishing the gaps in the floor where the wall was?

Biggest question - Is the only reason you are doing this for entertaining and how often do you entertain? Your dining space seems huge. Is there are way to adapt your furniture and seating so it feels more like an entertainment space?

How many people live in your house and use that table on a daily basis?

I can understand wanting the LIGHT from the living room window. But not to be repetitive? You need to give us the full context, which means an accurate scaled drawing of the entire living floor.

You can do it on 1/4 inch graph paper and use each box as ONE foot.

write dimensions along side for walls and individual windows.

Maybe instead of the clock - hang some mirrors, and/or bring in some wall sconces for more lighting; battery operated sconces, possibly.

If you want more light and expansion, these would be easier and less costly than tearing out walls. You could hang mirrors at such a height where people do not have to see themselves in the mirror while eating. See my examples above.

But if you want people in the kitchen to be able to interact with guests in the dining room - that is another story.

Personally, I am of the school of thought that walls are most often there for a reason. And specifically, where kitchens and more formal dining rooms are concerned, I say let what happens in Vegas stay in Vegas.

i think a window will be awkward - (I don’t see people talking through, and although light will travel thru it, so will noise) and enlarging the openings will impact the flooring, which is $$ - I think being thoughtful about the lighting and feel of the DR would be the highest ROI - making it inviting for folks to be in there will pay off

FWIW we have a living room in our house that no one would go in during parties - even tho it is open to dining room and den, we could not get people to circulate in that room - answer: we set up the bar in there now for parties and voila, lots of people 😅

So we have lost the OP??

Wecandothis Where are you? ....have you spoke to a contractor about it? just not a fan of pillars…maybe close down the two archways you have and make a large archway in middle of the wall so you have the support you need.

I cannot tel you how much I hate window type openings in a wall and pillars right up there too that honestly would make no sense . I love kitchens open to DRS but I prefer to have my LR not all open I would need to see a toscale floor plan of that whole living space including the kitchen to even begin to advise beyond my opinion You sure can lose the clock and add some nice art for sure.

Nobody has even addressed the floor. If you open up that wall, do you have more of your current flooring to fill the gaps, or are you planning the $$$ to relay the whole first floor?