Sound Stripes

Late 70's/early 80's ranch with the lost, forgotten, long, useless hallway in center of house, running almost length of house. You enter the front door into the LR. (Look way...left, you can see Kit. sink/window at far end of house) On Left of LR is DR area (in same oblong room). On the DR's Left side wall is a dbl. doorway opening, into a u shaped kitchen (?thinking of removing this doorway & remaining wall, for 1 long room?) (used to have french doors there). Cabinets are on each side of the sink/window wall. The Left side wall has counter,stove,counter & frig. The right side wall has dishwshr, bar/storage & cabinets (?Take this R. side out? Maybe an island in open part of the U to divide up?) Hard to describe. GOAL: A LR/DR/kit combo thats open, airy and loses the "country" feeling and moves towards a more formal feeling (if that's even possible?) I'm no good at decorating & want to keep expenses at minimum.