Hello Kathy, what beautiful floors you have.....too lovely to totally cover. I think you're on the right track using two large rugs which will delineate the two usage areas but still show off a bit of that pretty timber. If you can make the rugs big enough to allow a nonslip path for your dog, so much the better. lhh

Removing the walls as you've suggested should be ok as long as you check will an engineer first. They may be load bearing. This isn't a major issue to remove them as builders do this type of work regularly but definitely seek professional structural engineering advice first. Privacy to entry will be affected but not too bad. I'd do a furniture layout first and foremost to see if it the rooms will work being so open plan (i.e. noisy perhaps, where to put lounges and dining tables, etc.). People like open plan to look at but they are noisy in many cases as even talking noise travels. Even worse if you have children playing on one side of the area and you're trying to have a conversation with others in another area.

Hi 18. The apartments were completed just 5 years ago and good quality carpet is like new. It's weird to have just a sliver of kitchen tile to define the space as it's very restrictive. The dining area should be next to kitchen, so that's another challenge, as is the bathroom that's not really private. I've lived in the building since it was new and love all the facilities, and this is one of the better floorplans. I love the sofas and wonder whether just one would work better. It's 5 weeks till I move and now have offers of help. Whew!

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! My concern with adding a small dining area is that we probably won't use it as we use the bar for meals with friends. I agree the lounges are quite large. A single lounge would look better. However we can't justify buying just one for this house when we might move into a bigger house in the future. The new lounges will be the same size as the current blue ones just a bit shorter if that helps to visualise. The new ones are raised creating a perception of space. They are more modern looking so hoping they won't look so bulky. Also in the unit is x2 small-medium bedrooms (we use one as a study with 2 desks), a laundry, bathroom and courtyard. The square area before the kitchen bar is 4.2m by 4.8m. The new couches are W 2.14m, D 1.04m, H 80-97. I measured and the recliners won't hit eachother if they are placed in L shape :). Have included photo of view out window - the bushes need a trim to let more light in. We have skylights so lighting is not a huge concern but always a fan of a good lamp for mood lighting! Any more suggestions??