you want/need a few things from the space. calculate the budget....it appears to be a gut renovation , my hunch . Do you have any DIY skills? It's hard to picture whats possible as you have make-shift storage totes and cubbies sitting here and there along w ?temporary tables ? can you consolidate and move the things to a side or corner? You can find Ikea helpful at this stage...many storage options/ they have planners as you know.

given the wide open nature of the space I might consider a banquette to provide division ..a little different than an island but you get counter/storage on one side and seating needs can be met. Banquettes can be dressed up or down as you desire.

Farmhouse Family Room · More Info

Oh the baquette is a lovely idea! The photos are from our move-in week so it’s not that we live that way. Yes, it’s a gut reno. In the meantime while I’m planning, I wonder how I can enjoy the space and stay creative?

I got rid of the dog crate. Yes the other LR space is the only other common area on the first floor. Beyond that there are two bedrooms and a full bath. The side door coming in from the porch is how we come in and out daily.

These might help

Because of the side exterior entry, and mostly because you have a constricted entry from the rest of house into the Kitchen (removes available space for circulation), it seems to me that the Kitchen and Dining Room should be switched.

It also appears you have either a basement or crawl space and laminate floors, so swapping may not be a hard hit on a budget. However the slider is something to contend with.

How many people are in your family? What's your budget for the remodel? Is there a basement or crawl space under the house that makes it easy to move plumbing? Is there a second floor that might contain plumbing or HVAC in the soffits over the cabinets? Where does the door next to the refrigerator lead?

I’d rather keep the kitchen layout where it is for now and work around it….. UNTIL I eventually remodel it. How can I enjoy it that with a family vs of 5.5 and 2 dogs?

I do not find the space really oversized it is the same sapce I had for my LR in my last house .The kitchen needs some work for sure , not sure if moving it woudl be better . I think it depends on how big you need the kitchen to be ? I think a nice u shape would be bwtter than the island straddling 2 spaces . That DR is actully a great size for good sized dining table and a buffet There is a lot of stuff in the space so hard to see it really. Maybe a wall of cabinets on the wall right beside the porch entry if some coat and boot storage is needed . ust make sure it does not become a big mess of shoes caots , backpacks and dog stuff. Where is the LR and actual dining room if you cange this whole space ? A to scale plan of the whole main living space is really what we need. In my last house a 1956 MCM ranch we swapped the DR for the kitchen it was an expensive choice but boy did I love my kitchen and our DR still sat 10 easily .Only you know what you need for all the spaces in a home . We downsized last year and I still have a large kitchen and a smallish DR still can seat 10 in a pinch.

It sounds like you need efficient use of space and need this area to serve multiple functions.

I wonder if you could do something somewhat temporary until you can afford a full gut that would provide seating, more counterspace and leave some room for a small desk and storage.

Thinking something like this could work for the kitchen/eating area and perimeter could be used for a desk, storage and small tv.

Love!!!