If we knock through between front room & family/dining room, how will we use the space?

[maldivemoment]

So, we're in a victorian terrace. We've never really used the downstairs space properly, especially the dining room. We've had it as a dining room but with 2 little folk (now age 7 & 4) it was probably used 3 or 4 times a year. We then changed the layout to use it as family room but it just became an extension of the children's bedroom - toys/craft/lego stuff everywhere! Plus it doesn't get much light as it's at the back of the house.

So, in our wisdom we're installing bi-fold doors to give us the option of 1 big room for family parties/Christmas, that kind of thing but the option of closing the doors to still allow us 2 rooms, particularly as children get older.

Our dilemma is how we layout the rooms. Been on pinterest for hours and still undecided. Do we basically furnish it as 2 rooms simply with bi fold doors in the middle? Or do we attempt to lay it out as 2 rooms that, when opened up, work seamlessly as one?

Anyone with words (pictures!) of wisdom?

Thank you in advance

Something like this? 2 corner sofas at opposite ends that can be separated or feel unified. I like the library feel of one half of the room too.

www.homesandproperty.co.uk/home-garden/change-just-one-thing-removing-a-dividing-wall-32515.html

In general I think for this layout it is better to have it as a combined living room and dining room, as 2 joined living rooms will be very awkward to layout with so little wall space plus leaving room for the doors (assuming they are fairly compact rooms). Have you also considered knocking the back room through to the kitchen and having a seating area in there, separated from the living room that way? It's an easier layout and still allows space together and apart as a family

@monsieurpoirot that link is spamtastic: thanks for that.

OP if you are not sure how you will use the space then don't do it, or don't do it until you have decided how you will lay things out. How about looking at Rightmove locally and see how similar houses are arranged? That can be a really good source of inspiration. Look at the floorplans too.

Im in a ground floor flat of a victorian terrace and if I owned the whole lot I would keep the front room as a self contained lounge, move the kitchen into the back reception room which would give room for a table in the centre.

What used to be the galley kitchen would become either a utility with loo or playroom with a loo in a tiny room at the end.

The link was fine on my laptop. Is it one of those dodgy ones when u click on your phone? Not going to test it! I can't edit/delete it

Yes it was: I'd won an iPhone, etcand had to close the browser and start again!