Yes, I completely understand your dilemma of large living area vs. spare bedroom. This is where my wife and I kind of disagree. I am with you--I would rather have a large living area and then just put the kids to be on a sleeper sofa. This may be an option for us once the kids are just a little older.
My wife though insists that we need a spare bedroom for the kids so that we can put them to be before us and not wake them up. The problem with the spare bedroom is that it really limits you on living space. I don't care a whole lot about bedrooms because you just sleep in them. The rest of the time they are unused space.
Maybe we can wait it out long enough until the kids are no longer infants/toddlers. In reality that is a short period of time. I would think that once the kids are 3 or older then putting them to sleep on a couch should be okay I would think.
Matt
