I have one sink ( from Ikea) that is 80x60cm that I use for washing and rinsing and it is wonderful. When I am not using it, i have a board ( IKEA) that fits on and makes more bench space. If you don't want to replace windows...(I wouldn't...very expensive) there is nothing you can do about the bench height unless you are very short so I suggest you let that frustration go. Maybe the area behind the bench could be a herb garden in some way if you give up trying to open that lower window. I actually think this kitchen looks good...if you just wanted a mild change, replace bottom cupboards with drawers, change all doorknobs and colour some sections of cupboard doors like an artwork. Get rid of the large dishwasher and install new sink.

Kitchen accessories in the form of wireware, which include pull out pantries along with numerous other storage systems are are way to improve access more than they are about improving storage. They go some way towards organizing with drawer inserts to help divide, stack or sort your wares, but mostly pull out pantrys, corner caddys, and so on are really small units that have adjustable shelve baskets that make access easy by coming to you, However they are not always better than a standard melamine unit of the same size, if space is limited. For example, a pull out pantry of say 300-450mm in width has internal baskets of 50mm less, the baskets are wire and te bases make tall bottles and jars wobble as they are being pulled out, spillage is easier to clean being removable, but they will occur more often so that stands to reason. Wire ware units may have some of these taller or ligtweight items fall and block the unit from sliding back, which can be awkward although not a permanent problem. As for a melamine cabinet of the same width, items are stackable, don't need stabilizing, however deep units of this width make it hard to see what's at the back. There are I shelf systems to help with this, or make the units 450mm deep so ou can easily reach inside to the back even at eye level. Melamine is also easy to clean, and is moisture resistant. It is also cheaper. I would opt for this every time, and have designed many kitchens in magazines, to showrooms and set displays. As for accessing difficult places, like blind corners the corner unit is great, it will improve access, but again lose actual storage capacity as space is limited by the steel frame. All In all. Kitchen accessories such as waste bin drawers and slim cabinets pull out unit for cooking oils and spices are very useful. The others have their place. So from my perspective, kitchen accessories are about improving Access, not storage!

Thank you all for the comments!! It's really helpful! After few days of thinking and rethinking, plus doing experiments in the space, I think we will go with this: I am aware that this leaves us with small kitchen, but more then anything I hate being in a space with too much heavy stuff. For two of us, plus extra couple here and there I think it could be enough if we avoid single purpose appliances. If we feel that we really do need more kitchen space, I will move table to center and add another line of elements (galley kitchen).

The right coffee table, throw and wall art are not going to be enough to disguise the fact that you have downsized from a much larger home with your large, dark, formal furniture that dominates a compact room. Have you considered moving pieces to other rooms, or selling it, and buying clean-lined, contemporary style furniture off eBay? This style will fit the proportions of your room, and make it easier to live with your dust free strategy. The beauty of second-hand furniture is that when you can afford to upgrade you can sell it again on eBay. and recover your costs. Never paint perfectly good pieces of timber furniture as it will devalue the pieces. Sell them as is, somebody will cherish them as they are. I would keep the couch, decide on the tone of your new timber floor, and use these two elements to decide on the rest of your colour scheme. Your celing fan/light is also a distraction, so replace with something sleek and contemporary that is not such a feature. Your room layout is problemmatic with the number of doors coming into the room, but it is hard to suggest a better stategy without a floorplan. Best of luck with making this house your new home, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls