is this the existing building or a new extension...we need to see the rest of the house plans, where do the doors lead and what's outside any windows...is there a deck or alfresco planned?

Yea, good point. Sorry. This is the existing building - not an extension. The dimensions and shape are fixed. A deck will be on the other side of the bifold/sliding doors on the far right of the plan (if the money does not run out). The door next to the fridge comes off the hallway at the front of the house. The door with the arrow saying 'laundry/bathroom' goes to a new, small laundry/bathroom.

900 is actually really narrow, opening dishwasher, oven doors, etc. 1000 is still not ideal but better than 900.

Have you tried rotating island around perhaps (or reducing island to 2100, etc). Creates a squashy dining area as you noted - a metre for pushing chair in and out is comfortable.

I would suggest to go with dining table/kitchen layout only OR try some built in bench seating with storage under them rather than the lounge chairs perhaps?

Theres probably quite a few combinations to try before I'd find one suitable.

Yes! The lounge chairs have to go. And I love the idea of banquette built-in seating somewhere to save space. Rotating the island seems to go against the convention of it being parallel to the longest wall but I keep coming back to that as a solution. Maybe a u-shaped kitchen? Like in this pic - ignoring the lounge bit.

Maybe doing it like this will make it look like an Adina Apartment! The antithesis of what were after. Drat.

Turning the island and removing the lounge space may be your answer to having a workable space. The space between island and benches ideally then can be increased to 1200mm.

Wow. Thank you for that. Four people looking at each other awkwardly perched around a coffee table seemed such an odd thing to be doing when space is at a premium. (Frankly, I don't think I'd enjoy it no matter how much space we had. But maybe I'm missing something.) Anyway, thank you so much for your input. Any thoughts on the potential for a "welcome to our Adina Apartment" vibe? They do tend to orientate their kitchens this way.

Seems like oklouise and myself feel the same way about your space. Sorry, I don't understand your adina apartment question. I'm more a caravan park person.

Sorry, I am not articulating it very well. I guess I am all too aware how small the space is (Adina Apartments are all small) and don't want our home to end up looking like we've opted for the bog-standard, high-rise apartment layout for an area like this. I think it has something to do with my brain imploding over a reno that we will only get one go at; and my desire not to end up with a soulless space.

I think your connection with outside space and deck and avoidance of beige tiled floors will avoid it looking like an Adina Apartment!

There's a lot to fit into your space, the deck should help to enlarge it with having outdoor dining whenever possible.

This kitchen has plenty of book and game storage, 1600 pantries 400 broom cabinet with appliance , tea coffee cabinet opening out on to the bench top.. The island could have space for more seating or book shelves

Thank you. People are so kind and helpful. That 3D drawing is great for a confused person like me. Is that a program I could put the other options into, to compare apples with apples? If only there was just one very obvious solution - and I didn't have to bite the bullet and make an actual decision.

Have you tried different kitchen companies, they can do 2 and 3d for you, it;s only a kitchen with a table so that should be easy, Ikea and I think Bunnings will do this for free

Whoever drew your original Plan might also be able to show you it in 3D all of these will have the latest Programs. These are my pantries that we bought from Bunnings, my husband changed the hinges and added some drawers that he made as they were cheaper than buying

love your kitchen siriuskey

All done with Bunnings products apart from appliances which were bought from Grays online 10 years ago

Without changing everything in the kitchen a couple of 3Ds for you to see the first has a large 3500 x 900 island with matching bench

The second has a 2500 x 900 island with table for 10

And the following

More suggestions, removing the fridge and any tall unit away from entering the room will open it up. The island has bookshelves plus an extended table at one end. The long seat against the wall has an extending table and stacking chairs, this would be a great space for family dining and doing homework.