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emlyn_mcfarland

Old Victorian Twin, no foyer/entry how to best use the 1st fl space?

3 months ago

We just moved into an old Victorian twin home and I’m not sure how to best utilize the space and layout we have. When you walk in you walk right into what the owners we purchased the home from used as a tv/family room. The second room right off the entry room is a dining room. I’m thinking we will never use a formal dining room. We’re getting the kitchen redone and there will be space enough for a large table there that can serve as our day to day kitchen table and expand to make a dining table for holidays etc. I was thinking about using the original dining room as the family room /tv room but I’m not 100% confident on the idea yet. I’m looking for suggestions. I’m totally stuck on how to best use the space to feel big and full of light but also cozy and welcoming. I’ve been staring at paint swatches and using room planning apps and i’m stumped. Any and all help/ suggestions welcomed.

Comments (6)

  • 3 months ago
    last modified: 3 months ago

    If you are really stuck, consider consulting with a design professional.

    For me, I would consider creating a foyer. Create room to add a closet to the right of the entry door by moving the opening into the room with the angled walls down towards the stairs, if possible. Add a tall or short wall to the left of the entry door and place a foyer console or bench.

    The room with the angled walls makes a good family room. Put the TV, etc. on the wall shared with the foyer. Put seating on two sides - across from the TV wall and along the angled wall.

    The room to the left of the foyer can be whatever you want/need it to be. If you don’t need a dining room, it can be an office, 2nd seating area, library, etc.

  • 3 months ago

    We don’t have the option to move walls because of supporting wall issues and expense 😔

  • 3 months ago

    I can’t tell if the floor plan drawing matches the wall angles but I had a similar thought to @Design Fan (NE z7a). I wouldn’t be moving walls though - seems like there’s enough room to add a wall from the stairs over to entry. Maybe it’s not a full height wall or even a fully closed wall - open with built in shelving or something. I do think as suggested, that a in person design professional is needed for this big job.

  • 3 months ago
    last modified: 3 months ago

    @Emlyn McFarland - I was not suggesting you move a wall. I was suggesting you move the opening in the right wall further down, if possible, to create better wall space for a foyer closet and a wider TV wall.

  • 3 months ago
    last modified: 3 months ago

    Congrats on your new home. Post a pic of your kitchen and the measurements. You will get a ton of good feed on whether the size and flow of your suspected future kitchen will really be as great of a dining area as you presume it will.

    How far off is the kitchen renovation and do you already own the TV family room furniture? What is the harm in setting up the dining room as the TV room now and seeing how it goes? Don't mount the TV just yet but stand it up instead - if you don't have young ones for it to tip over on to!

    Moving into a new yet older home is full of surprises. I wouldn't start widing doorways yet. (Dealing with matching historic trim and all other kinds of hassles when walls aren't just drywall - potential electric switches to be moved.)

    If you like the entrance room as a foyers, get a wardrobe to use as a closet - be it Ikea or something vintage. Place it on the entry wall to the far side of the window. Put a nice big bench where the other owners had a TV. Great place to put shoes on and off and get ready to go out. You can let the space evolve as you live in the house. Remember, you don't have to figure out everything now.


    Also, I'm going to venture a guess that you are in the Philly area. Am I right? Zillow the inside of other homes with your layout and see how they used the space.

  • 3 months ago

    Yup suburbs of Philly. Nice idea about zillowing!!