Just a question here...have you talked to a builder or engineer about moving those two walls. This may not be able to be done if they are what they call...load bearing walls...that is that the roof rafters sit on them...I would talk to a builder before designing anything. The other thing is ...do you have some other space that you could put a garage...this is a fantastic space to use if you can....

Thanks Wild Infusion, I haven't talked to a builder yet but i do have some engineering experience myself (just not in the building services sector). I am brainstorming the designs based on the assumption the partition walls can be replaced with a stronger steel beam supported with bulk heads on either side if required. I know it may cost a bit, but if we can create a better flow and house design it would be worth it! I do agree with the garage conversion concept - because it is the biggest room in the house! However this is something I am leaving for work in the future. The driveway has a steep slop on it so there may be a bit of costly work to find other car space.

Hi and good luck

Personally I like an island kitchen and eating near that. Have you considered changing the kitchen, installing island with a peninsula (I am installing one, shadowline 60mm stone beautiful) and flipping the living to the end of that kitchen/dining/rumpus area. Open plan, less rooms is my preference. You could open up that other lounge to the space as well.

Thanks Anitastu8,

do you mean something like this? If so, would you have the space behind the lounge as space or put something there? I also changed the entry to the spare room which may be an office or childrens play area or something

also, in this case, if you have guests over, where would you use as a dining space/have a dining table?

Hi yes somewhat but also perhaps removing some of that wall to the spare rooms? I notice those sliding doors from the kitchen/lounge do they open to something nice you could incorporate?
Dining would fit in this space because kitchen island gives informal dining, a table fits in the space nearby, and lounge could be facing the sliding doors or open the space further by removing doorway and opening up to spare room.

The doors open to an out door patio that needs a face lift too (future project) but I have considered removing the two doors and replacing with one large set of bifolding doors to let in maximum light. Part of the future upgrade to the patio is to open the roof with sky lights to let more light in as well. To have the lounges face the TV it will probably need to be facing a wall.

We don't mind the idea of a spare room, as we could have glass doors that would allow us to see in and use as a room for kids playroom if they are being noisy and to keep and eye on them. It could be transformed into a home office down the track.

Thanks for the feedback, I am keen to hear different opinions to make sure I am considering everything

Thought I would upload my latest thoughts, keen to hear feedback. I'v added large glasss bifolding doors instead of the two existing sliding to let in more light. Ive also changed the access to the spare room via the new wall, meaning its one less load bearing wall with a whole in it.

I like this latest version, with 1 change... I would swap the dining table and the TV area... I would rather have my dining space closer to the kitchen so people are not carrying food and drinks across a living space. Also what is the round thing just to the right if the kitchen counter?

Thanks rocketjcat, I understand what you are saying, your suggestions would look something like this. Also, checking what a home theater would look like haha

I guess it comes down to functionality. The circle is a meals table, ie used for family meals daily. The dining table would be used for formal type dinners, less frequently, so it wouldn't matter being further away. Because of this I wouldn't necessarily mind having the living area closer to the kitchen becuase when anyone is over it would make it to talk as they relax and watch tv while I may have to prepare meals/drinks without talking across the length of the room. I am not sure how the meals table would go behind the breakfast bar/peninsula - this would make it redundant to some degree. But it would allow for daily meals for less than 5 people.

The other benefit of having the living room closer to the kitchen is that it makes the TV easier to view from out side, which helps create a entertainment atmosphere while enjoying the outside dining/patio area

Ok, I didn't realize the round thing was an additional table. I guess it would make sense to spread them out as you are thinking, with the TV between them. I would suggest running whatever new flooring that you're using all the way through into the kitchen instead of having 2 different materials like you're showing. It looks cleaner, and would also give you more flexibility in placement of your small table, without the constricts of a flooring change.

Hi,
I'm really enjoying your plans, nice job.
I have a few thought I wanted to add :) if your still looking for feedback.
Just some elements I think would really work.
The garage opens to then entry. I think it would work really well opening through the laundry area. I'd love one like that in my house, as really your just lugging groceries etc through the house to the kitchen. Freeing up the entry to make a nice uncluttered space. You've got heaps of space in there, that you could incorporate a mud room / laundry and still have the small powder room. Basically flip the rooms on their sides.
Your kitchen is wide but not a lot of workable space. I don't think you can actually fit that little round table in there. I personally would be considering a butlers pantry or a large regular pantry in some of your space. How about against the laundry wall? Then you could maybe have the fridge and oven in a wall of cabinets on the same wall facing the open kitchen. Then add a long central island. No cabinets against the side walls the island could hold a lot of casual seating if you wanted.
Front entry. I personally find a hallway nice, so you don't have the lounge room becoming thoroughfare. How about some double cavity sliders or something similar? Then you have the openness your after but still get the division of space.
If your only using a formal dining table occasionally, that might look good placed in the far end part of the original lounge room. You could open the wall up there to the rumpus like you show on one of your plans, it would be a nice flow through. I think doors here would be handy too. You could add a lovely pendant over the table and there is the windows there already, could look nice.
Rumpus area. I think just add a big modular lounge and a telly on the far wall, your bi folds and you've got a really comfortable space right there.
If you go for a kitchen island, and can't imagine having many meals at the taller height table, you can drop part of it to regular height for dining.
Hope that's clear, good luck with it all!

Thanks for all the comments guys. In the end we went for this layout, with cavity sliding doors instead of bi folding to the study area. The peninsula kitchen bench will be future addition. Let me know what you guys think! Plan, before, and during

Thanks for all the comments guys. In the end we went for this layout, with cavity sliding doors instead of bi folding to the study area. The peninsula kitchen bench will be future addition. Let me know what you guys think! Plan, before, and during

Kitchen looking towards dining

Study area wall with cavity sliders

Flooring and painting getting done

looking great-never know it was the same house

Any chance you could take some current photos? Would love to see the final result. :)