Just moved into a new small house with an open kitchen/living area. I love it. I can be getting dinner, chatting with better half , watching news on TV. Just the two of us, so what's the point of isolating one of us in a separate room? If we entertain, we do most of the messy prep ahead of time and clear up. The rest gets shoved into the butlers pantry. That said, I can understand why someone who's into formal entertaining on a grand scale or who has a big family would want a separate kitchen, but for us open is great.

thank you all for your suggestions... meme - the front room currently doesn't get used for a few reasons a) it's only me in the house b)family room gets more sun and natural light c) family room looks out to the garden/courtyard which is a nicer view than the lounge which looks down the drive way (i'm back section of a duplex). I have contemplated the idea of moving dining room to family and using lounge as tv room but as it's just currently me it's nice to have the sun flowing in the family room whilst sitting on the couch and reading a book/watching tv (both rooms are deceptively small - i think wide angle camera used in the promo photos) oklouise - again I think the photo makes the rooms appear larger than they are - I have attached some more photos of the family room for you. I have considered moving the door way to the hall as it is in an awkward position for furniture layout (although I'm not sure the room would accommodate the furniture as you have placed it). Another thing that I should mention is that I'm planning to add a door way to the garage from the kitchen, as I currently walk to the sliding doors to gain entrance to the house. The door will be in the position you have the fridge or even next to it in the far corner - which would still work in your plan. Dr Retro House Calls - I think for me I do like the open plan living (no children yet.) I'm not sure the house would be big enough for a family with teenagers (the 3rd room is very small.) In terms of keeping kitchen tidy - no i'm a very messy cook but it's quickly cleaned up by putting most things in the dishwasher/sink (also I would hope my friends and family wouldn't judge me on the state of my kitchen - and if they did I wouldn't be bothered by it :)) I guess if it was for me then I would go ahead and open plan everything to let as much light in as possible, but also I do need to be aware of resale at some stage (but people are either going to like it or not no matter what you do) Kate - I hadn't thought of that idea - I guess making it smaller would turn it into a min theatre room or reading room? Siriuskey - Interesting suggestion - I'm not sure how the placement of furniture would work in the family room, but I think I need to get past my fear of placing furniture in the middle of a room.

Have you thought about what you actually need for the entire house? I would imagine a 4 bedroom house with 1 full bathroom would be congested... Can you convert laundry to integrate a new bathroom as well? Or swap bedroom 1 to bedroom 4 with laundry as ensuite and facing north?

Under the stairs is the perfect spot for me, just far enough away from the front door and the "squeeze" when the door is opened etc. Laundry, I prefer not to take my washing through the kitchen, Doors take up usable space in small spaces I don't know where you planned the clothes line or how wide it is at the side, but by changing the access from the kitchen to Alfresco could be your solution or adding external doors to the Media room which is now open to the passageway laundry when not being used for movies would work for me