Converting a dining room

Question from Lori: We are wanting to get rid of our dining room. When you enter our house to the left of the entry way is an office with french doors. To the right is an open room that is a dining room. We are wanting to close it up and use it as a family room. Will it look funny having a wall there when you walk in the front door? It is wasted space for us. Not sure either if it will hurt resell value. 

Jake’s Answer: Lori, Regarding resell value, if you are going to remain in your house for another 7 to 10 years do it regardless of resell. It won’t be that big a deal for someone to undo what you have done. How will the lighting be affected by closing off this opening? Will it make the entry too dark? Do you get enough light from your entry door to offset this light reduction? If the lighting is not affected to any great degree, I say go for it. What about adding French doors to this opening? That way you still get the light and you get the separation.