I feel that you might be trying to fit too much furniture into this space, amitif. The space is quite a lot smaller than your photo example. As you can see from oklouise's drawing, your kitchen island bench will protrude past the pantry into the walkway, and this is based on quite a narrow space between the two benchtops (and doesn't factor in any space for stools at the bench, should you wish to have any). Ideally you would increase the width between the benchtops a little. Have you checked the sizes of your modular lounge to ensure that there will be sufficient space to walk through? There really isn't room for a separate dining table at the end of the kitchen, as you have drawn in your sketch. You may be better off increasing the overall length of the kitchen and incorporating a dining area on the end of the island bench rather a separate dining table...

with a lot of helpers crowding around to help i suggest that the new kitchen needs to be zoned for tasks and be open plan without a separate pantry...this rough idea has a central island about 2m x 3m surrounding the column and walkways approx 1.5 m between counters, subject to available space with the column the island has mostly underbench drawers for pantry food storage, crockery and cutlery and the counter is for food preparation, serving, sorting and distributing clean and dirty cookware and bags of groceries etc and has a small extra sink but no more than a couple of stools to keep the workers moving!!..Subject to suitable access the central space under the big island (would be about 60cms wide, 90cm tall and almost 3m long!) would be ideal to store folding tables and chairs and "christmas" supplie in wheeled storage crates or pull out kitchen island trolley..There's a full size fridge and freezer as well as an underbench drawer fridge next to the tea, coffee & toast area,with cup glasses and breakfast supplies in the overhead cabinets..twin dishwashers with double sinks, hot cold water dispensers, pull out garbage bins and a modern insinkerator or compost disposal in the sink area..the cooktop and food prep area is on both sides of the corner with big appliances underneath, and serving plates and casserole dishes etc overhead..The base cabinets should be deeper than normal for more generous counters and giant cooking equipment and appliances stored underneath and to have shallow splashback shelves for herbs,oils, sauces etc and there's a stacked wall oven and microwave and a stacked wall oven with warming drawer and vertical shelves above the ovens to stand up trays, racks, cake and pizza trays and drawers below the ovens for saucepans and baking dishes...decorative finishes and fine details need to be determined by the resident cook for personal taste and everyday comfort

I have been in kitchen design for 16 years and associated with a kitchen company that has been in business for around 25 years. You should not have doors any wider than 300mm for a bi-fold as the combined weight for the 2 doors is too much for the hinges and after time the door will sag and be difficult to open/close Bi-fold doors are not the best solution for corners anyway and there are better options. There are plenty of kitchen companies in all areas who offer a design service. this way you will have the services of an expert ,often for free who can visit the space and give a qualified assessment of the best solution/solutions and an idea of what it all will cost and involve. regards Paul

oklouise. Thanks so much for that drawing. It's similar to what we were thinking but leave the fridge where it is with some cabinets overhead, and put a small pantry by the wall oven/microwave. My husband is not keen on extending the wall if it's not totally necessary - the house is quite small and dark. We recently removed a wall between the kitchen and living room to open it up, which has made such a difference. He doesn't want to "compartmentalize" (sp) again. The 2700mm island gets some counter space closer to the fridge too. We were thinking of putting 50cm cabinetry under that window so as to allow max light in. Thanks also for the tip on putting the cooktop close to opening doors, we never would have thought of that. Any thoughts on putting the gas cooktop in the island? It's been suggested but I'm not sure. I'll get some measurements of the whole area this afternoon.