I've been trying to get my DH to do the same with our dinette but his excuse is that he believes it won't make it saleable when it comes time to sell it/trade it in. I disagree, but I can see that this may be a campaign I won't win!
However, I LOVE the idea of removing the front panel of the couch. I took the front panel off ours some time ago and then put magnets on the back of it and matching magnets on the couch frame so that I could easily put the front on or take it off w/o needing anything but my hands. I've just got stuff under there now but it slides all over the place and I've been stumped on whether to go with two low-rider rubber totes or to remove the front panel completely. After seeing yours I think I know the answer!
GREAT mods!