Different strokes for different folks, as they say. We have a butlers pantry, smallish, with a sink in it. The pantry has become effectively a walk-in pantry, with storage, a wine fridge and the toaster and microwave. It's very useful, but we almost never use the sink because there isn't enough practical counterspace and because, well, who wants to do dishes in a closet? We also have an island, with a single basin sink in it, and of course the dishwasher. That's where we do prep, and it works just fine for us. We can watch TV while pealing spuds or washing those dishes that don't go into the dishwasher. Even with the sink, there's still plenty of prep space, and we have a good work triangle between sink, oven on the wall directly behind it, and fridge, oven and pantry on the end wall. In practical terms, the arrangement works for us. When we entertain, we clean up and load the dishwasher as we go, dump the pots and pans in the butler's pantry, wipe off the bench, and we're good to go. And since it's only a single basin undermount sink, the look is clean enough for us.

Very nicely done. Very interesting and attractive. I know this has nothing to do with your dilemma, but I think a plant or two in the room would be nice, and maybe a vase of flowers on the table. Enjoy your room!

I think I am satisfied with my kitchen pantry layout now. I have a AI image of the pantry attached and have worked out where to put everything ........ BUT I am rethinking the need to extend the house (an the verandah as a consequence). The extension would take the internal space from 5300 x 7950 to 5300 x 9450. Is 7950 enough for a kitchen, dining, lounge. Alternatively we could close in on side of the existing verandah to lengthen the southern side by 2895 but I'm not sure how wide this would need to be and how I would organise the space. I guess I'm just trying the avoid the expense and disruption of what seems like a small (1.5 m) extension. What do you all think?

We went for a 70 cm induction stove top which works well - bit more space than 60 but doesn't eat up as much bench space. Our space was limited too, and we wanted to maximise both bench tops and storage. I'd go for an under cupboard range hood and us the above space for some more storage - besides it streamlines the look. I personally like a sink and a small one - using the small one for vegetable washing and smaller washing up works well for us. Our space (and the necessity for two corner cupboards) meant that we had to have a small dishwasher - Bosch 45cm wide (several brands make them). It works really well if you have space issues.