Front Door Opens Right into LR and DR...what to do?
AustinGal
I've found a house I LOVE, and everything about it is as good as it gets...except the front door opens RIGHT into the living room and dining room. The door is in the middle of the wall, and theoretically one side is the LR and the other is the DR. However, in addition to NO foyer or entry hall, I would prefer a larger LR and much smaller DR as I mostly eat out...ideas, tricks, notions, solutions? Thank you.
forest26
I'm not sure how big the total space is or if the LR/DR is long. How about a bar height table with bar stools near one of the windows for a small eating area or a small cafe table with two chairs. Then set up the room you see first when you open the door from outside as the " living room" make it warm and inviting to draw you in. You can even have a couch with it's back to the front door and a tableagainst the back to collect keys, mail, maybe put a lamp on it. The other space (DR) could be your home office, entertainment, hobby area, or a second seating area. My front door is the same into the LR, but the DR is directly across so first thing you see coming in.
catwoman708
You could put up a wall, partial wall, half wall, or partition of some sort between the front door and dining room (and or living room). You can create the illusion of a foyer with tall plants, a folding decorative screen, a piece of furniture, anything to visually separate the spaces. If the door opens into the living room, you could replace the door so it opens into the dining room or your "faux foyer", do a little remodeling to create an actual foyer, or add a shallow coat closet(s) on both sides of the front door when you come in. It needn't be very big. Maybe a closet on the dining room side (since you want it smaller) and a half wall on the living room side.
AustinGal
Good ideas, one and all...but I failed to be sufficiently clear, sorry. As one opens the door (in the middle of the front of the house), the LR area is on the L and the DR area on teh R. In front of you is the kitchen bar. Hallways to either side btn the LR/DR and kitchen lead to a bedroom and bath at either end of the house. The LR/DR is wider than long. Construction is out of the question.Upon further thought, my idea is to treat the door almost as if it weren't there (as I will enter from the garage)...perhaps putting a table a few feet in front of it (as described by another poster), and the idea of the back of the sofa w/ the table (I have a beauty) is very good, too. Thank you for the clever ideas!
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