Hi Erin-hem, It maybe too late for changes if you have seen your kitchen designer but I would like to through you a couple of ideas for consideration. In my opinion, the sink area is always the messiest area of the kitchen. Why don't you put that on your new extended outside wall and even include a window for extra light if possible. Put the dishwasher on the left end of that pop out too so it doesn't create an unusable corner on the right side. Then build a 1200mm long wall, 600mm deep into the dining space so you can have a return unit from beside the dishwasher that connects with the island bench. This changes it from a true island bench but gives you the untidy part of the kitchen hidden but not closed off. The wall doesn't need to be full height but needs to be higher than the bench. It can be a joinery item rather than a builders item to match the joinery finishes. Behind the 1200 long wall/screen can be all your tea, coffee etc and your appliances on the bench so usable all the time but not seen from the dining and living area. It also hides the sink from view from the living area. Below bench level in this 1200 section you could actually have drawers for cutlery and crockery that go two way so you can load them from the dishwasher and take them out from the dining room side to lay the table. No need for a pantry with such a long back bench which could have loads of drawers as suggested by someone else. Keep the fridge nearest the stairs so everyone can access it and not come right into the kitchen. If you are a real foodie and love cooking for friends and family, put the hobb on the now free island side. If not, leave it where it is and the 'island bench' is now just a layout and work area and sit at bench. If you have the space, make the gap between the stairs and the bench ample. Say 1300mm wide at least. Cheers, Christine.

Hi Nickers77 My daughter installed an ikea kitchen about 5years ago, it was a shaker style and looked great in her little cottage, the bench tops were really good too, my only advice would be to make sure that you install it properly and be very diligent on having everything level, maybe paying extra to have it installed by a flat pack specialist..she also looked into the Kaboodle kitchen, we both liked the ikea ones better. I would post a photo but the house is a rental now, and she hasn’t had any problems.

A few of your cabinet doors will need realignment, but painting it may make it look even more dated it depends on your colour selection. Definitely change out the handles and if budget permits change the bench top too. They are easy to install if you get laminate bench top. You could try for a two tone kitchen to test run your colour selection. I'm under the impression the current kitchen matches the rest of the house so if you paint either top or bottom cabinets first and test out if it suits lighting and overall scheme paint the rest.

Congratulations on your new home. I can't tell what your kitchen cupboards are made from by your photo, but there is a laminate paint available that is suitable for vertical surfaces, but you wouldn't use it on a benchtop. Never choose a splashback after you have selected benchtop and cupboards. They should be selected together to work in harmony as you see all three elements together. If your budget is tight I would keep the splashback and benchtop, as they are very neutral, will work with your furniture, and are expensive to replace. Concentrate on finding the right laminate paint colour first and then the wall colours. Don't rely on paint colours that you see online as they are always different in real life. It may be worth your while to engage a Dulux colour consultant so you don't make any expensive mistakes if you really have no idea as they are very reasonably priced. https://www.dulux.com.au/services/colour-design-service/overview Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls