Hi, I’m sorry, my skill set doesn’t run to CAD drawings, but it may be worth getting a quote comparing the cost of widening the double doors or closing the double doors, removing the dining room and kitchen doors into the wide hallway, and reducing the wall that is to the right of the double doors. The difference may not be very significant. Obviously there would be a column in that corner, but well designed, that could be a feature. Use the corner on the left hand side as a walk in pantry, leaving you with a, much easier to design, and move in, rectangular kitchen space. Hope that makes sense

I’d create an island. I’ve also removed the cupboards at the back of kitchen so you have no corner cupboards. Slightly less storage but move functional. But you could put narrow cupboards or shelves on if it works better for standard cabinet dimensions along the main walls

Opt 2 opens up to terrace. But moves kitchen so much more expensive All plans have compromises somewhere. You have to decide what you value. I assume the big fryer space to left of kitchen has a big row of cupboards or some particular use.

Thank you Jan & Kate!

I really like the idea of opening up to the terrace. I should have mentioned that to the left of the kitchen is a set of stairs going to downstairs (the empty space 3.1X4.8).

And I like the idea of an island - but do you think it would be big enough, is there enough space? Not sure how big an island should normally be. Or I was thinking of something like a butchers block.

I also wondered whether to extend a bench out from the solid wall - so in your Option 1 Kate the island would attach to the solid wall & make a bit of a galley style? But I'm not sure where/how to place the stove/fridge/sink so it's in a triangular formation?

Jan I do like the idea of a walk in pantry or perhaps even a butlers pantry - again, not sure of space?

Thanks so much - it really helps me to start thinking differently about this.

I don't know about kitchen but it's not in a great spot. 

If it was me I'd turn the family room into Master bedroom and the small bathroom into an ensuite and move the entrance away from being so close to kitchen.  

You would have high ceilings so probably could create some opening spaces without actually removing walls. Messy with double brick but not impossible.

You need to measure the space up properly.
The space is also a walkway so need to consider your flow
I am biased to an island as I don’t like being trapped in a kitchen which is why I didn’t make a long peninsula

Having renovated a Federation House I would strongly suggest you look at removing the two short walls to open up between the kitchen and family rooms . You may need to add a support of some kind depending on any load bearing wall being involved, a builder can advise on this.

A bifold window between the kitchen and Terrace and using the current door off the new kitchen family to access the terrace/BBQ's.

I have suggested adding the Powder room to the master as a possible ensuite and added a toilet to the Laundry/Mudroom to replace this, Access from the garage would flow nicely for family needs.

Thank you Siriuskey. I really love the plan you shared & it makes a lot of sense. I'm just concerned about the cost blowout of removing the walls as they are supporting walls. The family room is actually an add-on to the original 1904 house, so the roof lines are different, which may also mean changing the roof. I wish I had an endless bucket of money, as your suggestions would really make this a better flow for the whole house.

Does anyone know the best way to get an accurate costing of structural work? As mentioned, I have no renovation experience & with limited funds, not sure where to start & how to budget. I'm based in Sydney.

Thanks everyone for your help, it's really appreciated for a novice like me :).

What siriuskey has shown is my first layout for kitchen but further developed as an overall goal..If money is tight look at doing my plan to start with. And take out walls if you can afford it later.

You could open a window opening to family room cutting a hole in the old external wall rather than removing it all

Don't feel bad you are like the majority of people who don't have experience to tackle building problems, If you can find a builder in Sydney at the moment with Xmas looming that will be the best thing to do as you would need to start the kitchen reno by removing any walls first.

It's messy there will be flooring and ceiling to patch plus changing the window to a bifold or one that pushes up. We removed the rear exterior wall between the kitchen and a bedroom to a return verandah with sloping ceiling adding two smaller RXJ's Steel Beams to support the new opening, these were covered with gyprock and the opening squared off. Then we removed the remaining brick wall between the kitchen and bedroom, I was given the job of removing piles of bricks in a wheel barrow

. The verandah was filled in with large glass windows, the floor had to be raised to match the height of the other floors, once this was done we added the new kitchen within the old bedroom.. Being in Sydney a Federation house built on sandstone foundations access under the house was easy. A lot of work but it made such a difference combining 3 rooms to make one large light filled family room where we spent most of our time.

There are different ways to work with this, the builder might suggest adding a support post at the end of the island. What aspect is the house as I can imagine that the kitchen is a bit dark with having the under cover terrace outside of the kitchen and family.

This showing possible support posts x 2. I also played with moving the kitchen into the current dining which would be lovely opening up along one side to the Terrace, but is limited by so many doors opening etc. The current kitchen could become the dining study and the family a Media Room