Running with your second floor plan (and ignore the glass sliding doors in this image) but would you consider changing your 3m narrow splash to a full sized fixed window on half the side and the remaining side create as the cooking area with cupboards, oven etc.? You mentioned you have stacker doors in the direction of the lounge, but in terms of space, from these doors, it's living area no windows at a room length of around 7m, followed by 4m kitchen room length including a 3m narrow glass splash to provide natural light for the kitchen area (cupboards noted above)? From your drawings there seems to be no windows on the opposite wall, is that right? I feel you will need to bring additional natural light into the kitchen area possibly bigger than the 3m glass panels if only 0.6m tall (or similar) especially with cupboards on top. If you're not keen on swapping out the narrow splash here's another example with your second floor plan (and also ignore glass sliding doors in this image) but possibly a tall window or fixed glass panel before your kitchen bench starts - even if <1m wide. Or greater than 1m if you're OK to encroach on your 3m glass splash and make it shorter. If the island bench is not a "must" you could create similar to this image and have a L-shape bench so it encloses the kitchen a bit more. This will help create the next room of your house ie. Kitchen - and you'll gain a few more cupboards if you're really wanting additional. Then have the big fixed window adjoining the L-shape next to the seating bench. You could still have your narrow glass splash with cupboards above, possibly just shorter (only referencing the L-shape and large door in this image - imagine fixed glass full-size wall panel in lieu of door next to the seats. Ignore the remainder of the kitchen). Is this an existing dwelling or new home build? For either of your options, are you impacting your roof-line as your first floor plan suggests you're widening the kitchen by 1m? The first plan I'm guessing will cost more; light wells and extra bricks vs straight wall. As mentioned by the other posts, there's plenty of storage options. You still have a decent amount of room for cupboards including a full-sized pantry next to your fridge space. I also agree with jbantick's of balancing space indoors and out (not knowing surroundings).

Having not one but TWO of these blights that are blind corners to boot, that can only be accessed with a lot of banged heads, contortionist tricks (and just a tiny bit of cursing), you have my sympathy. I have ended up going with baskets (plastic ones so I can pop a lid on and have it all together) until I can afford my dream kitchen reno and used them for excess Corningware I only use at big family/friend gatherings such as the Easter and Christmas periods as I have to take out all my pantry items to get to them (it also encourages at least twice a year a full clean out). If you have space each side of the corner I'd go for a corner door (such as http://www.cabinets-online.com.au/category1000016_1.htm) and go the lazy susan route (if you can get one with a high edging/rim it'll stop things flying off when you spin it a bit too fast). If you've got a blind corner while expensive and understanding that you're always going to not be able to utilize every millimetre of space Leman corners are a good option http://www.hafele.com.au/HafeleHome/products/kitchen/corner-storage/lemans-ii/

Hi dolly 7, The shelving unit is constructed off the wall in front of the the cavity and sits on the floor. You would only need to fix it back to the wall so it doesn't come forward. It would not be good to suspend floating shelves on this wall unless it had a back panel going to the ground. See pic examples. Sliding doors were installed onto an archway first. Wall unit built in front of sliding doors as cabinet. For holding weighty items on adjustable shelves, try to keep the width of the shelves to a minimum i.e. 50cm wide x 18mm thick, otherwise they will bow. If you increase the width, you will need to put a shelf pin in the middle at the back. For floating shelves, back panel should go to the floor if wall has minimal structure.

I so agree with Alphen Construction - on first glance, it is definitely the handles that are drawing the eye to changes in height. I would definitely try Alphen Constructions' suggestion re 'blocking out the handles with tape' to see how you like the effect. Take a photo when you do it, you can then compare. I think I would remove the handle from the cupboard over the fridge and the cupboard over the stove. I wonder if a steel extractor fan that would take that cupboard to the same level as the other cupboards might be an effective trick, it would also tie in the steel of the fridge, oven and appliances. Under cabinet lighting is needed in my opinion. I do hope you will be able to enjoy your kitchen because it is lovely. I wish you all the best.