I think they mean 5 rooms, not 5 bedrooms.....one master bedroom and 2 bedrooms for children with twin beds or bunk beds in each. I lived in a 1,300 sq ft house for 2 yrs with my husband and 2 sons. My suggestion would be to have an open floor plan for the kitchen, dining area and family room in one large room. Add a bar in the kitchen for casual dining. Be sure to include storage in family room for toys, games, etc. Add a built in desk in eiher the kitchen or family room areas . The master bedroom and bath should be large enough to accomodate a queen size bed and if possible a sitting area (maybe a bay window large enough for for a small loveseat or a couple of comfortable chairs). I would recommend a large walkin shower but no tub for the master bath. Instead have a nice size tub/ shower combo in the hall bath. Too make your house feel larger, use neutral camel, beige, gold or grey paint and carpet through out the kitchen, dining area, family, hallways and hallbath. If you want to add color, limit it to 3 bedrooms. Hanging all your window treatments at ceiling height will make your rooms feel larger and taller.

This is a dilemma indeed! Posts in the middle of rooms are always a little difficult. It would be helpful to have pictures of all four walls to suggest the best layout. From what I can understand of your dilemma, I've attached a layout that may work based on your description. It features a defined entry. So when you walk through the front door, you will see a console table with a couple of ottomans stashed beneath. They can come in handy for extra seating. In front of the console are two arm chairs, followed by a modular sectional - they make up your main seating area. To the right of the kitchen door is a TV console. Behind the sofa is a bookcase and to the right is a round table with a couple of chairs for games, paper work or what have you. You don't mention any windows. Is this the case? If so, we'll want to make sure you've got adequate lighting and colors that will work with the limited light. Hope this helps!

You may also want to consider a screen or pass-through bookcase to visually divide the "bedroom" area from the living area. I like your table and platform bed ideas. Consider whether the radiator will have enough room to "radiate" with a bed against it though. www.twitter.com/216Sharon

HI RinaI do agree I love jewelbox rooms, but I consider them more cosy ... and with a grey marble floor it goes all Versace Italianate! I am trying to balance the colours by bringing in a pattern on the covers rather than plain. I feel this will bring colour without overpowering the room. In the pictures I showed above, the rooms are basically neutral but the colour is brought in via pattern - I think this might be the way to go...Ideally a green or blue on a subdued grey would be the best, but I dont know what the market is like for Sumit...Cushions can do a lot to tie in the other white/grey elements.Shelley - navy is a good suggestion, but as Sumits area is quite tall and thin, trying to keep the general area light Any more suggestions most welcome. These are just ideas after all and Sumit will choose what works for the room in the end ;-)