PS. Can’t edit on the phone but there is a wide entry into the Lounge from the Entry. Not shown on the plan.

Congratulations. Regarding the island, to allow for cupboard depth, then walking space around island of at least 1000mm I would suggest an island of 2000mm x 900mm. As per, not to scale drawing. Where you put the living and dining is up to you, both spaces are a good size.

Congrats. Would you consider moving kitchen and making kitchen the dining. Tv rooms adjacent need some soundproofing to avoid noise overlap. But that is doable and yes to closing the rooms off to achieve sound control if you move dining

Like this ?

Thanks for the ideas so far. Don’t want to move the kitchen, that’s more expensive than I’m (and the house) is up for. But def the island bench idea is a winner.

My mum used to hover at the entry to our small u shaped kitchen. The remodel was to take out the wall and create an escape route. Godsend.

Any thoughts on furniture layout in the Lounge and the Living (old dining). I think the sliding door wall will be blocked. I’m looking at furniture in the Black Friday sales, and have decision paralysis.

You said both to have tvs.how many kids u10 and other people in each room. Which walls would be best to face out and and have tv

Kids are 12&14 and friends are all about that. Need to seat 2-6 regularly but I like to sprawl out to watch a movie. I’m thinking the right hand wall for the TV in the existing dining/new living. And in the lounge, I’m wondering about the TV on the new wall (after blocking) or between the right hand windows.

Congratulations on your new home bigreader, what aspect does the house have

can you add a google earth shot

I think that you can test all your ideas out without doing any remodeling just yet. It’s easy enough to switch the function of the dining and lounge areas (however I’m not factoring in connections to antenna etc, but there could very well be some cost effective extenders for a temp solution). Close the doors between the front lounge and the now second lounge, and position your furniture as you would if it is a solid wall. See if it works for you. Good luck.

Maybe

Consider also flipping the new living layout so tv where bookcase is shown I created wall there to replace lost kitchen storage and ass requested separation. Putting couch on outside wall wil open up observation from entry. And better connect spaces when door is open, with door being a generous size

bigreader have you checked the dimensions of the kitchen family as I can't get them to add up, plus hallway width, Real Estate plan aren't usually correct, it's a lovely house, Is that a Race Course and school nearby

Kate - I’d like to maintain open plan in the back K/D/L area with only the lounge closed off. I’m leaning toward your furniture layout with at least one modular sofa.
Sirius key - no proper dimensions until after settlement. It does look a bit skewed. Yes, Racecourse where dogs can be walked. And school for kids. The location is good, and makes up for the not-so-great orientation. Any opinions on running the island bench Nth-sth (top to bottom of the pic)?

Bigreader, how far into new dining room would you run the island? There is not room In the kitchen area for top to bottom. Unless you extend the island into dining. Keeping 1000mm all more around island.

Thx dreamer. I like the orientation but can see from your sketch that I’d need to have a shorter island to fit in the space. My current island is small and is on concealed lockable castors which work really well and def have again.

A movable island would be a good compromise.

My thoughts are different to others, without confirmed dimensions I am guessing but I would keep the dining room as is plus the pocket doors that are already there they won't add any cost and can be closed off when needed. Space allowing you could add either a free standing pantry or to the ceiling, I prefer the free standing but built in for light and possible hanging plant on top.

The kids will love the kitchen family space next to the alfresco while you can be in the living room with the doors open or closed. I would consider adding double doors to the front entrance into the living.

You mentioned changing flooring which will be great which means that you could keep the existing kitchen cabinets and build the Island and pantry in a different colour. cheers

Could you do this? C

Possibly Kate. I think the table could shimmy closer to the kitchen as you’ve drawn but I’m not totally sure.

A square island may also work better

I agree that the room sizes aren't large, so hoping you can fit a longer island to help. the pantry could become a servery island etc.., keeping in mind that the space closet to the kitchen is approx only 3m wide.

But most importantly I wanted to make suggestions for the Living and family room so that you can try and grab that Black Friday deal. having said that I love the low Modular lounges which allow you to arrange and change to suit. The following link have some great examples but I did check Ikea when I was looking. . If you find something I can try and fit it into the current drawing for you.

Looks like you and the kids are getting a wonderful Chrissy present of a new home cheers

https://www.mcmhouse.com/collections/living-room

Scroll through to see what is possible with Modular lounges

https://www.mcmhouse.com/collections/sale/products/elio-modular

Just to note: the real estate photos show a decent pantry already.

Thx all. You’re all great sounding boards. Siriuskey - the kitchen space will be a challenge. Dreamer - The kitchen in real life is actually hanging on by a thread. It would be false economy to try and renovate around it. So I’ll remove the existing pantry and put a bigger fridge in that spot. Mcmhouse had some good things - I like the modular look for the open plan area. For my lifestyle I need leather or slipcovers. I’ve been looking at the 3 seater Ruby leather sofa from Secret Sofa paired with its two seater sister or two wooden framed armchairs. Also the Hyltarp modular from IKEA with custom slip covers paired with over size armchairs ile the Stockholm from Adairs. But as furniture is $ I think I need to wait until I confirm the measurements.

Couple more things from my moodboard collection.

All great choices

Adding another pantry as I have shown in my last plan y]would help replace some of the lost space for your bigger fridge.

If you can find it in your budget I would replace the kitchen before purchasing new furniture. Ikea has great furniture at great prices in leather and loose covers when you are ready.

How old is the house.

Everything is a compromise when living, moving and renovating. The kitchen will need to be done after we move in so I’ll buy some (minimal) furniture to start with. You’re right with ikea. I’ve had their sofas before and there are so many suppliers selling custom covers in a huge range of fabrics. The flexibility can’t be matched. I am planning on having a movable island so may get that organised and partially demo kitchen. I can then try out the island running both ways in the room.

Kate - I’m not sure about blocking the room with a pantry but I’ll see once I get there. Once the built in pantry walls are removed and the space scooted along a bit, the usable space isn’t that different. With some clever pantry fittings I can make it work. I’ll need to be considered with the thing I put in the pantry.

House is 20-ish years old.

Could be a buffet. So many options. Hope u enjoy making it beautiful

I have just done a rough resize of the floorplan and you can see that the current kitchen dining is missing the width of the entrance dimensions

The measurements are a bit odd. I’ll have to see next week what they are. I think the island is a bit off also.

The following is what I would do if it was my house, move the kitchen along the wall looking out to the garden, which way is North?. The old kitchen becomes dining and the family in the dining space which also has access to the alfresco. I would keep the sliding doors into the living room which will also give access to the rear garden.

That’s a good layout Siriuskey, but it’s more work than I have planned. The front of the house is North, which isn’t great but I’ll make it work. You’ve picked a good spot for the Barbie.

As i said it is what I would do, the house is approx 20yrs old along with kitchen, you mentioned redoing flooring which I think would be a good opportunity to change things, the aspect is perfect for the kitchen family and reducing the alfresco roofing on both alfresco's would be best and would allow light back into the house. Bunnings kaboodle kitchens are a great

choice for your area as I don' think Warrrnambool would have an Ikea ( I grew up in the SA Vic border area)

Good Luck next week

Congrats!

All I can add is really think about your kitchen function.

I recently stayed in a holiday rental. While a large kitchen island was lovely to use, the narrow walking space around the edges were a hindrance. Also, while having 'chef's kitchen / pantry' area in rear reduced the messy look, it destroyed the functionality (if you lacked an actual chef & had to cook for yourself that is). The 'working triangle' was interrupted by a doorway, which became a traffic jam of people. Sometimes carrying knives...

I know large kitchen islands are great. But this one killed the kitchen. Don't do that.