Hi oklouise, thank you so much for offering your suggestions. You are correct, im pretty sure that plan did not have accurate measurements now I think of it. Here is a more accurate drawing:

We are planning to move the island bench to the left, so that it is 0.8m from the wall. This will allow more walking space in the middle of the open plan. The dining and living areas will also be swapped from what is on the plans.

Let me know your thoughts.

Cheers,

Erin

your extra plan does not show the missing details across the top and bottom

Great plan OK I would have done the same, the blank wall is perfect for a narrow pantry as you have shown

This would be the most cost effective way to install a 'reach-in' pantry.

- It allows enough room between the island bench and the corner of the pantry.

- The door is an adequate size to stand in.

- It provides enough space to install a light inside the pantry.

- It gains an extra 50% shelf space

- It can be constructed using the same materials as the existing kitchen and provide a seamless addition

With the WIR, what exactly do you mean by configuration? Are you referring to the actual walls of the WIR or the shelving inside? Is the shelving at the moment just a single shelf about 1800mm high on the two walls with a hanging rail underneath?

There are plenty of options available if you planning on re configuring the shelving. There is a basic design that we suggest that seems to satisfy most clients. I would be more than happy to draw it for you to fit in your WIR if that is what you meant by configuration?

Thank you.

Hi Divine Renovations,

Thanks for looking at this, that's a really good option you have suggested! We have since been back to the builder and have a different option on the tabel, won't have a "reach-in" pantry but instead a 1.5m pantry along the far right counter at the back. Then extra counter space and under-counter storage in place of where the original pantry wuold have been. However, haven't got total cost back so that may be prohibitive. See plan (note appliances aren't completely in correct position on this; island bench hasn't been moved but still aiming for 800mm from left wall and 1200mm between benches):

Regarding the WIR configuration, I just mean its a bit of an awkward shape and any ideas to maximise usage in there would be great! The right wall isn't utilised at all currently because of the door to the robe. Yes there is one shelf at 1700mm and a rail underneath.

Thanks in advance!

Erin

In your plan, the pantry sides onto a blank wall. A corner pantry here would give you all the space you want, and take minimal extra space. We put one in our new kitchen and it's wonderful, space and layout. I can actually walk into it if I want.

The shelves are narrow at the sides and deeper triangles at the corner.

Hi Erin

Just a thought on your WIR / Ensuite. I would relocate the ensuite door & access it via the wir (install a cavity slider to the wir)

This provides a great wall for furniture (or art) on the bedroom side, provides increased sound proofing to the ensuite and would give you the luxury of a full width vanity!!

Oklouise idea is the better floor plan (although I see that you have bumped part of the wall out in the kitchen, expensive). as it gives you all the extra bench space and storage that can be closed off if you wanted to cover any bench top small appliances, the cabinets could be 500 deep to give more space between the island

Hi Erin. We stressed and stressed over doing away with our pantry when we updated our kitchen. We had space for one, but it just didn’t look right.

I nervously said, “forget the pantry“. We have lots of drawers instead. Now, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The drawers are so much better, easier to organise, and easier to find things (and you don’t have to be borderline OCD, like you need to be to maintain a functional pantry).

I now roll my eyes about all the energy we used stressing and panicing about losing the pantry. With the benefit of seeing how functional a kitchen can be with and without one, if I had to design another kitchen, I would go drawers over a pantry without hesitation.

Oh, and losing the pantry meant we gained more bench space. Plus it eradicated all the wasted space you need between shelves (in order to see and reach to the back). What’s now in 1 drawer, took up a lot more space on the old pantry shelves.

I‘m offering our reflections with great empathy; I know how much it did our heads in trying to design a pantry into the plan - something we didn’t know we didn’t need! :-)

OKlouise design still had the benches which would allow for small appliance use insitu and not having to store them away, but with the advantage of being able close off when not required.

I'am not a fan of Butlers pantries unless you have house help but a big fan of narrow pantry shelves with or without doors. Once again it really depends on how you use your kitchen and if you are someone who just cooks meals and someone who loves to cook and create.

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.

a shallow (less than 30 cm deep) tall wide cupboard along the left wall beside the sliding door? could provide a wonderful pantry and everything could be seen and no other change except removing the present pantry.

love that sink and importantly you have it set back from the end of the bench to allow for better usage, the whole room looks lovely, well done

I wondered if you could do a corner pantry where your current one is? I've a small kitchen and found that took up not much wall room, for a considerable space inside. The shelves are narrow at the sides and a deeper and wider triangle at the corners.