Question about Layout of my house with pic

My mom told me yesterday that she didnt like the layout of my house. She thinks the dining room is to far off the kitchen

The dining room is in the front, and the kitchen is in the back, she thinks i should make the formal living room the dining room.

But the formal living room has 20 foot ceilings, and i think its more suited as a welcome area when you first walk in.

I made a really bad diagram of my house and the layout.

let me know what you think

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

its really hard to say from just a sketch, but the dining room does seem sort of suited to where the formal living room is

Are there features about the dining area and / or formal living room that make you choose this orientation? other than the celings? like a fireplace or something?

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

I have to agree with your mom. I think your dining room should be closer to your kitchen just bc it will flow a lot better. With having the formal living room off the kitchen & then the dining in the front, the layout is strange...

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

How often do you actually use the dining room? For me, it would be too far away because we use the dining room almost daily. But if you only use it a few times a year, I think where you have it is fine. It sounds like the living room is the most beautiful room in the house, so you wouldn't want to use it for a dining room that you'll only use occasionally.

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

Is the formal living room on the right of the house in the front and the dining room on the left ?? - What is the room to the left of the kitchen in the back ? Is that the great room?

The only thing I think is a bit awkward is the fact that when you DO use your formal dining room, you have to walk through that Great room to serve and clean up etc. - I think the placement of the current living room is a bit better in comaprison to the kitchen for the dining room ........But if there's a reason you chose to Living room to be in once spot, and the dining room in another - it's YOUR house .......YOU have to like it !! Not us, not your Mom

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

I was going to ask if that's a great (family) room to the left of the k. Is this an open floor plan - the k, fam rm, DR?

Since it's an EIK, I think the DR is fine where it is, although, it may be awkward when you have alot of guests to feed since the EIK/FDR don't flow. My sister's FDR is off her kitchen for this reason. When she has 20 ppl to seat, they're all at "one" table, so to speak.

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

Is the formal living room to the right of the entrance?

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

Actually, a lot of houses in FL have layouts like this. I like the great room in the back off the kitchen!

If you can change the layout a little, what I would do is put the dining room to the right of the front door (instead of to the left) and make a pass through (and even maybe a butler pantry) from the kitchen to the dining room. Does that make sense? My SIL is building a house and they have it like that, which is why I thought of it.

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

i would leave it the way you have it. It would look silly, imo, if you have your formal living room and your family room in the same area. It looks like you have an open floor plan, so the kitchen, family room & dining room make and "L". I like it the way you have your diagram.

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

I agree that with the 20 ft ceilings& the FP, that area is best suited for a FL....

Why dont you keep that the way it is and switch the DR w/the great room and seperate the dining room/Kitchen with a butler's pantry...
I agree w/ the other post that the DR should flow directly from the kitchen. Not sure if Im making sense-just trying to go by your drawing!

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

Where that balcony is i have drawn in, you walk under that into the kitchen, so its totally open,

My mom just really freaked me out, and said that having it the way it is designed is not a good idea.

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

It's hard to picture with the high wall and everything... but if you don't want to switch the formal living room and the dining room, then i'd just leave it how it is. I'd definitely keep the great room (fam room) in the back off the kitchen.

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

The floor plan is actually similar to a lot of the new builds going up here in CA. Maybe she doesn't care for it because it's not very traditional?

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

We are also in the process of building a house and have been looking and changing plans for months now. Our final plans are finally just about to go to the town for permits!

I do agree that I am not in love with the placement of the dining room, but I can not think of an alternative. One of my "things" when designing my house was for the kitchen to be next to the dining room for serving purposes, so I can see what your mom is saying. The only suggestion I would have would you be able to flip flop the kitchen and great room area to make them flow better and be closer together. I am not sure it is possible at this point for you, but may be a thought.

ETA: I agree with you on not changing the formal living room into the dining room, and it looks like the chimney is in the way of where I would think to place the kitchen.

Message edited 3/17/2008 4:50:07 PM.

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

Honestly, I'd keep it the way it is - The formal living room with 20 ft ceilings and a balcony will look absolutely stunning.

How often do you think you'll use your formal dining room? I would think that you'd use the table in the kitchen/great room a lot more often.

It's not like you have to walk a mile from the dining room to the kitchen - what is it - like 20-30 feet?

I'm so jealous of your great room!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

i have seen some new construction where the dining room is where yours is going to be, I do prefer it where the formal living room is......if this is still an option I would put it there.

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

My parents have a colonial with the same layout, and it's fine. The distance from the kitchen to dining room is not bad at all. I think if you like it you should keep it. You will regret changing it in the end.

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

you have the table right in the kitchen though - for the few times a year you will use a formal dining room - you hsould set it up the way you like

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

our kitchen & great room make an L-shape. Half of the great room is the dining room. I host all the holidays & several sit-down dinner parties a year. I would find it difficult to be in touch with my guests with the dining room out of sight, but that might just be my prefernce. Do what works for your entertaining style.

Re: Question about Layout of my house with pic

I agree its far from the kitchen. I like my rooms close together so its easier when having company to go back and forth with food or whatever is needed. HOwever I dont think I would switch in your case because then you will have 2 tables close together, there is no wall or anything separating the two areas and I think the flow is better the way you have it planned. Also I agree that the 20 foot ceilings are better suited for a family room.