I think the bench/breakfast bar along the deck - with bi-fold windows is a fabulous idea. The storage space under the stairs makes more sense to me than a faux fire. An extendable table is definitely the way to go, especially if it is just the two of you most of the time. As for the kitchen sink - I can only suggest that you move your wall cabinet further right - extending the bench and then the sink can be placed further to the right. Downlights above kitchen bench - we have downlights about a metre apart and they provide excellent coverage. With regards to the cupboards being different in living/kitchen areas. I personally think that if you are going all white, they could be identical - creating continuity.

You have a small bench so prob only 1 or two pendants. I would look for something that has a larger version as well that can hang over table too. Pendant style will depend on ceiling ht too.

When it comes to designing your dream kitchen, there are so many decisions to be made. From budget, size, style and of course the kitchen layout. So we’ve come up with our Top Tips for your Kitchen Layout to help you along the way and take the stress out of one of these decisions! We’ll help you to get the most out of your existing kitchen, guide you through a design from scratch, and also give you some ideas if you’re in the planning stage of your kitchen renovation. TOP TIPS FOR YOUR KITCHEN LAYOUT When it comes to designing your dream kitchen, there are so many decisions to be made. From budget, size, style and of course the kitchen layout. So we’ve come up with our Top Tips for your Kitchen Layout to help you along the way and take the stress out of one of these decisions! We’ll help you to get the most out of your existing kitchen, guide you through a design from scratch, and also give you some ideas if you’re in the planning stage of your kitchen renovation. Best Laid Plans If you’re the cook in your home, you’ll understand how important the kitchen layout is. Not only do you need to consider this at the very beginning of your build or reno, you also need to be realistic about the things that will affect the layout. Unfortunately, planning the perfect kitchen isn’t just a matter of choosing the perfect coloured cabinetry, or your dream marble benchtop…so much of the functionality hinges on your kitchen layout. Follow our Top Tips for your Kitchen Layout, and we’ll get you on the way to a practical, functional (and gorgeous) kitchen in no time! Small Packages That’s what they say right, good things come in small packages? Well, the same thing can be said about a small or compact kitchen. If you’re renovating your current kitchen and don’t have the budget or space to expand it, then you’ve got to be creative here. Start with the current kitchen layout, are you moving plumbing and the sink? Are you leaving the cooktop and oven in it’s current position? When your current space is functional and you are happy with the existing kitchen layout, it’s purely about cosmetics. This kind of update or reno will save you money in the long run by leaving the key pieces where they are. So just enjoy the process of choosing new cabinetry, tiles, cupboard handles and maybe new appliances, kitchen sink and tapware. Voila! Too easy! In some ways, having a smaller space can lead to greater functionality. Because you have to consider carefully where every single element will be placed within the space, so it can lead to innovative ideas. Take cabinetry for example. Gone are the days where it was just under bench cabinetry – even in the smallest of kitchens, you can create so much storage. Try corner cupboards with hinged doors, pull-out full height pantries, oversized pot drawers, plate drawers…the list goes on!

@siriuskey - Brand new build. No house plan yet. This will be one 'pavillion'/box that contains living room, dining room, kitchen/scullery/butlers pantry, powder room, laundry,/mudroom/ storage and possibly wine storage/bar area. It will probably run north/south with the living in the north and mudroom/laundry in the south. Laundry needs to be on the south/east side as that is where our existing drying garden is and our sleeping pavilion/pod/box will be on the east. The mudroom needs to be on the south/west as that is the side we come in from the paddocks to the back of the house. We are a large working farm. we grow our own food and kill our own meat so we have several chest freezers and an extra fridge that will go in the mudroom/laundry area. The butler's pantry or part of the kitchen needs to attach to that. There also has to be access from the west from the garage either to the mudroom door or into/near the kitchen. I know what we want/need, I just can't visualise how to arrange it all so it works. I guess that's where designers step in. At this stage we're kind of working on a 7.5m wide box of yet to be determined length.