Hi! New here and I need help with my living room! :) TIA

bernie1112

Hello All!! I had heard from a friend that this is the best place to get help from a design perspective. So, thanks in advance!!

I have these railings at the entry way and between the living and dining rooms. At first, my husband and I were going to update these railings as well as the railings for the stairs with a nice wrought iron railing. Then we thought why not replace the railings at the entry way and between the living and dining rooms with half walls instead??

What do you all think? Replace the railings with new updated railings or with half walls?

(Please excuse the mess and the toys. The living room is currently a playroom until we get living room furniture!)

 

 

smoonly

If you replace the railings with half walls, it can visually make your space become smaller.

TarHeels&Rebels

Is light an issue for you? The foyer (?) and office area look dark, but that may just be because the lights aren't turned on, but I'd worry half walls would make those areas too dark and cave-like. 

jjbmstinco

I personally would do updated railings.

bernie1112

Thanks all for you comments so far. I replaced the original pictures with what I hope are better for lighting. To answer a question posted here, the natural light in the two rooms is actually really great. Unfortunately, the light is in front of me instead of behind me when I am taking the pictures.

Thanks again, everyone! 

arhayden1

On pic 3 it appears the railing is separated living from dining? If that is the case I like the idea of that being open. In pic 5 though seems to just be office type space. LOL not that it matters but I like the idea of that being open. I don't however think iron railing with go here I would just update wooden rails

flyingsouth77

I like the idea of updated railings, more than half-walls. The purpose of the railing appears to be to keep from randomly falling down, more than for separation. I think half walls will just look out of place. 

XCrissCrossX

I'm in the minority. I like the idea of half walls better than railings. Are you planning to change the flooring? My first instinct was to expand the stair all the way around and forget about railings and half walls.

DangerMuffin23

I would remove them completely, it'll add an airy space to the whole front of the house.  But as you have kids, you might be concerned the the step down. So if you must, I'd say update the railings, but ixnay on adding walls. Good luck!

acscott6

Tia,

If you are finding storage to be an issue, with kids I imagine that storage is ALWAYS an issue, you could try replacing the railings with bookshelves. This would allow for light to pass through and for you to use baskets to store toys and other miscellaneous objects in. 

Here is an example that Meg Caswell did on HGTV:

http://www.hgtv.com/designers-portfolio/room/eclectic/living-rooms/8596/index.html

Now that is a bit retro, but still super functional. 

If you are concerned about light you could always replace the front doors to add some with windows which would allow you to completely block that railing off and maybe put your couch or something up against the railing, which i would replace with a pony wall, next to the entry way. 

 Those are just a few thoughts, happy decorating!

-Anna