I, too, like the short wall setup. and love the rail door or pocket door idea! We have two pocket doors in our 1959 mid-century home. There are many good DIY rail door plans out there. A pocket door will cost more but will not take away inches from the side, for symmetry.
BTW, is this all for my old pair of Ulysses? I think I remember reading that you have others. ??
Jason