HI Raman

You have a lovely-looking kitchen

Extra space is always welcome

The photos you have shown us suggest the corner beside the refrigerator is under-utilised

If the air conditioner could be moved to the lounge room (near the firer place) the space would be free for full height cupboards How much wall is there beside the window? If it is at least 600mm you're in luck

Consider a low storage bank under the window as there seems to be plenty of room

This could be made into a window seat and thus have a dual purpose of storage and resting place for visitors to chat to the cook!

Hi there Raman, Any chance of some measurements, but in the meantime I would either move the aircon, or just add a shallow pantry below it and between the window wall and fridge. Plus change your Island to a longer freestanding one which will give you better access to the outdoor area plus the meals. Very rough idea without measurements, Need to know the depth of the wall out to the window for pantry size.

Ramon

Another thought

There is a great deal of space above the existing cupboards

By adding extra cupboards up there you could store rarely-used items, which would free up valuable storage space

The open area in front of the refrigerator is a good idea as it allows easy access to the fridge by all members of the family To fill that in with island bench, I feel, would be 'counter' (excuse the pun!!) productive

Also, is there room on the long wall beside the dining table to place either free-standing or built-in storage? Perhaps it could wrap around the corner of bathroom wall

Some inspo ideas, Raman

Traditional Dining Room · More Info

Montecito Guest House · More Info

Modern in Montvale · More Info

buffet idea as well as window seat

Raman

Can you open the front of the island bench to create a two-way cupboard?

Hello again Raman,

You could add a back to back cupboard with kitchen sideboard or storage on one side and Linen cupboard on the other with great access to towels for the bathroom. Moving the existing opening off the Lounge family area. But need measurements to work with as the kitchen dining has limited space and needs to allow for through traffic.

look forward to seeing the measurements

moving toilets is costly and without much gain, I would try re swinging the door the other way so that you don't look directly at the toilet when you open the door, especially being at the end of the passage way.

My second sketch shows a possible linen cupboard space/storage out side the bath room. Lets wait until you can get some measurements so we can draw a more precise plan. Is that your little one on the photo., every exciting getting a new home

Raman

Possibly turn the bathroom door into a cavity slider to increase usable space

It would have to slide into the wall behind the shower recess Where are the pipes & taps?

As siriuskey says, changing plumbing is costly How about a full width cupboard with mirrored doors That would give a good lot of storage

Shelving along the long wall would give extra space too

Try not to use floor space when you add storage, as this is a small room

It is lovely that you are moving your young family to a new home Good luck

Hi, looking at your space I would move the fridge under the air conditioner and turn the current fridge space into a 4 door pantry - two taller doors and the lower two in line with the other bottom cupboards. Hope this helps.

consider tall bookshelf with glass or plain doors eg IKEA Billy could provide useful pantry storage

Hi Raman, could you pls provide the kitchen measurements, the long wall from window to window and the width of the kitchen/dining. cheers

At only 30cm the space is suitable for shelving which may be useful for displaying & storing your best serving ware or special glassware Maybe cook books could be stored there Some plants would thrive next to the window - it is a 'dead' corner & needs some 'life force' there to keep the 'flow' happening

Use the remainder of the room for your storage & have this corner as a resting spot in an otherwise busy room

Without measurements I have a floor plan for you which keeps the fridge in the same space but with a full height panel to build it in (mine is much too wide, just a cabinet panel will do the same, This will allow for the 30cm deep pantries to be built up to it and back into the corner next to the window ( you will need to remove the skirting boards from behind and beside the new pantries for better fit.

As you won't be able to match the blue cabinets?, white or light timber colour would work, the airconditioner would sit above the pantries.

The fridge doesn't really work up next to the window as you would have to leave a space between it and the window, and this would cause loss of precious storage for not much gain, if any

I have also added suggestions for a possible future lay out. cheers

I must be feeling the heat,

Lovely-looking plans,Siriuskey, but there is only 300cm of wall beside the window Moving windows is problematic

We have lost sight of the original question, which was for 'cost-effective ' advice in increasing cupboard space

Something I did think of is using the space behind the kickboards by turning them into drawers, thus creating valuable storage

As for the exposed side of refrigerator, simple have an end panel installed in matching or complimentary colour

Congratulations on moving into your new home,Raman & family Happy times ahead

Once you start living in your home, you may find it's OK as is!!

Hi Julia, the new pantry is only 30cm deep which going by Ramans measurement of 31cm it will fit beautifully, and a great depth for a pantry.

I have already mentioned that he will need to remove the kick board at the rear and side of the new pantry so it fits and is flush into the corner. And yes with my old program I used a wall in place of a panel which I don't have but when you look at that in 3d the wall shows all the way to the ceiling which isn't what I intended. But you will notice that I have again explained that he will need to have a panel the same as the kitchen material to give it a built in look and won't expose the side of the fridge which faces the new pantry.

Cost wise this is the best with maximum extra storage. Hopefully Raman can line the new pantry up with the top of the other cabinets keeping the Airconditioner where it is.

The second floor plan is just something he might like to consider once he gets over the enormous effort of buying their new home as this will give even more storage.

Adding two new 800cm x 30cm pantries with 40cm doors , this exact width to be confirmed and or adjusted by Raman once the fridge is fitted.

This is very cost effective and will add that much needed extra storage and the doors will keep everything tidy and keep little hands accessing the pantries.

Raman I did this floor plan for you so that it will be easier for you to visualize how your kitchen can look, Very exciting moving into your new home cheers

this 3d view shows what I mean by needing a cabinet panel between the fridge and pantry as the fridge is much deeper than the 30cm pantries. My old program doesn't have a panel but I think I remember someone telling me how to use a base cabinet side on etc etc, will give it ago when I have more time cheers.

Surprised you found time to respond with so much going on, cheers