we had a similar issue and ended up reducing the space on the left (your linen cupboard to a very skinny open shelving area) we calculated the angle the fridge needs to open and therefore the minimum distance required from the wall

Do a narrow pull out pantry on left of fridge

Excellent idea Mo. Another option would be to make the fridge recess wider, and centre the fridge
But a long skinny cabinet would be beneficial for storing cooking trays, platters etc.

Yes thanks Dr Retro I was thinking that the two walls on each side looked a bit weird and maybe cheap, just didn’t know why, makes a lot of sense. Nib walls, I’ll have to tell the builder I want to get rid of them.

Yes. The best idea is not having a builder design your kitchen for you. They are builders, meaning their expertise is in construction not laying out floorplans and design. Your builder is concerned with getting your home done as cheaply as possible. He's not going to live in it so really doesn't care if your kitchen design is silly or doesn't work.

I can always tell a space that's been designed by the builder. It tends not to make a lot of sense in any direction except cost and ease of construction. Which is what you would expect. Spend the money and have the details like these (which ARE important details if you don't want to waste your money) done by someone who's expertise is actually functional layout and aesthetics.

A narrow single cupboard for me. Use for pans, casserole dishes, etc. perhaps.

Note that you may have cost implications for these changes depending on what the builders estimates are covering.

Invest in some profession kitchen design advice. The layout is very expensive, but extremely cheap build, and you will regret it. Not taking cupboards to the ceiling, is a waste of valuable real estate. As you have invested into a great refrigerator, why sacrifice the opportunity to gain a great kitchen. Take you house plans to some kitchen places and see what they suggest, also Bunnings and Ikea. There are some great services available for all budgets. The German brands are at the higher end and have great innovative solutions. Arm yourself with some great possibilities. Try to visualise what you want in the kitchen five years on when you may be entertaining a large crowd. Best of luck

We can’t afford to hire anyone expensive so I’ve done up these changes myself on Microsoft paint and we’ll see what the builder says xD

Looks good Kathleen. Your builder would be getting a kitchen company to make the kitchen. Why can't you deal with the kitchen company direct. They can help you with these details.

Better. You have drawn all cupboards below bench. I would do drawers. Are you having custom made? Cause the widths seem a bit iff

Off not iff at end

Thanks yeah I think drawers would be better as well but I was kind of just working with copy and paste lol it is mostly the bench space that im concerned with, really want to maximise how much bench space we get

Hi Kathleen, Austere Hamlet’s comment about builders is poignant. We discovered that when a builder says, “it can’t be done”, it can be code for:

• I don’t want to do it your way. Right through to, I don‘t intend on being flexible so tough luck about getting what you want in your house.

• I only quoted the cheap way of doing it; variations are a nuisance. Like it or lump it.

• My skills only extend to super simple solutions (but I’m not going to admit that to you).

• I‘m under the pump. If I do want you want, it’ll blow my schedule (or profit).

After you’ve spent heaps of money and endured the whole build, do you want to risk thinking, “I wish we’d known we could have done ‘X‘ differently”, every time you walk in the room? In your case, it’ll be every time you need that extra bench space.

A good builder will give advice that helps, not hinders functionality. I’m not saying yours is bad, but they do lean towards simple and cheap solutions rather than best design for you.

But their advice can only extend so far. Kitchen design is about details. Builders do the big stuff. Think of a painter. They can paint your house, but would you ask them to paint an artwork for your living room?

All the very best with your project. :-)

When we built our home, the builder organised a consultation with the kitchen company. It did not cost us any extra to the amount we had allocated to the kitchen. Obviously, we paid for it somewhere in the build, but nothing we were actually charged.
We got the kitchen we wanted and had the professional helping us decide on the best plan.

Hi Kathleen! I suggest that you go ask for kitchen company's advice regarding this matter. You can also tell the builder about what you think is a better option. I mean at the end of the day, it's still your house and you're the one using the kitchen and the home appliances. I guess for me, what matter most is how comfortable you are in the arrangement.