Are there any adjoining spaces or nearby that could be re-purposes as a walk in pantry? This could open up the space just by putting all supplies..dinnerware ..food ...in an accessible spot .....that will leave you breathing room in the space where u eat and prepare your food

Also a dining table that is taller w/ stools that tuck under could be multi-purpose(eg: prep space...place to drop groceries...keep your I-Pad)

Make a feature of the walls (strip the paint) and paint up the existing cupboards/ cabinets either white / grey / any neutral but bolder tone

Good idea, ritasj. I would replace the shelves with recycled timber and display your cups, plates and nice bowls, etc, there. For extra bench space you could get a higher table (that doesn't jut out into the rest of the kitchen as much) with stools - use it for bench space to prep dinner, roll pastry, etc as needed. You could Ikea the cabinets for not too much money ... Love the stove! Maybe where the timber cabinet is you could put a taller double-door cabinet to act as your pantry. Good luck! Be sure to post your 'after' shots!

Like the ideas above. If you replace the shelving then a timber dish rack (vertical slats) over the sink would free up the draining boards. Ensure you have enough clearance for the person standing at the sink, so it may need to be higher on the wall than the existing shelf across this section. It looks like the sink has a double draining board so get a couple of nice timber boards made to sit on top - with low rail base to sit firm - that will really increase your prep space. I'd de-clutter the benches to 2 or 3 everyday appliances and tuck the rest elsewhere; maybe a mobile butchers block for some extra storage and prep area. Make the most of the attractive rustic appeal of the space!

Thanks everyone - all such great ideas. Will definitely take some after photos and post! Any idea how I would strip the wall paint Jane Sexton? Felicity, when you say a low rail base - how do you mean? I like the sound of timber boards there. Will also change the shelves and the high table idea is brilliant!

Ikea ikea ikea.
They have mobile island benches on castor wheels that you could fix a drop down top to to double as a meals table at evenings. Ikea sell bench top blanks so you could buy one that you place upside down on the bench top of the island and hinge them together so it can be folded down into a. Table. Flat pack wall cabinets above the dining table also, for all your crockery ideal for serving onto the table freeing up pantry space.
Definitely a plate rack above your sink, they look great in rustic style kitchens and are very practical too.
Good luck ML Design

Of course kitchens of this style often have hanging pot racks which I like to call pot chandeliers. Source an old ladder with character and hang from the ceiling on hooks and chain above the ding table for a talking point or be creative an use a pulley rope to lower it above the corner bench top next to the oven. Pots and crockery take up a huge amount of space. Allocate zones and use them practically. This bench in the corner would make a great breakfast nook, where a toaster, coffee station could be set up and have baskets underneath for dry store pantry items. Select a feature colour for the room, use it in fabrics stools or prints to add personality, perhaps select a fabric and create a pelmet over the corner window and also hang it below that bench top on wire curtain string to hide all the bits below. A gingham would look great
Ml design

I'm glad someone else mentioned Ikea first. I thought of it too as they do have some great ideas for space saving measures, and their kitchens can be custom designed to suit most spaces. If you did want to just replace everything in one go for a not too huge price, that would last you as long as you needed it too, then it's worth a look.

I love the antique cabinet, but suspect if you moved this out you could get a cabinet with bench space in that spot instead, with shelves above. I agree with Ikea comments.

ooh, that's true Meg d, I totally hadn't thought of that. Thanks!

That sounds great thanks. So you mean put the sofa in the middle of the room?

Hi Savannah, re the "rails" on the base of the boards - instead of a couple of "feet" run 2 strips of timber (dowel or square) along the base of the boards so that they stay in the ruts of the draining board and don't shift when you are using them.