Are you confident that you’ll always have that size fridge? Is there a reason the cabinetry doesn’t extend from the pantry to the sliding door? I’m assuming the dishwasher is in the island, where are you planning to store your glassware and crockery? And the little pigeon hole upper cabinet is unlikely to be useful for anything.

Dishwasher next to sink. And bin under other side

Thank you! All really useful ideas

I also note you have cupboards on the back of island rather than an overhang to accommodate seating at the bar. Why?

can you post floorplan of existing kitchen and surrounding spaces

Current kitchen layout

New kitchen is a bit larger than existing. Cupboards instead of space for stools was so it didn’t eat into living / dining space more.

Hi Chris, Just a few thoughts , I have drawn up the kitchen family space showing position of existing doors to Alfresco. My plan shows a 1200 x 2100 Island which can have draws facing into kitchen and family and as you say no seating at bench to allow more space but because the table is beside the island it's not needed. Your water fall benchtop allowance needs to be considered with actual size of island. I extended the kitchen towards the alfresco door and moved the fridge next to it for ease of access for family, next to that is a full height pull out pantry for food stuff and then two x 800 pantries with doors and drawers. I have shown the MW on the benchtop in the corner where I was thinking tea coffee could also be kept. Your plan shows a bulk head above the cooktop so I have added a soffit above all the wall units

The Island could be made up with drawer units (I have the same) and also have a rubbish bin included. I have moved the sink onto the back wall next to the cooktop plus DW. If you want the sink in the island I would allow at least 400 to the end.

Wow siriuskey! Thank you for putting this together. I think this option looks lovely

I like how this option moves the sink off the island. The only thing is that it eats into the living space a bit more than we’d like and has the fridge facing the dining table 🤔

In a small open plan space the fridge will always face into the room. If you are purchasing a new fridge,( I prefer French door as they take less space when open.) Look at integrated Fridges as they have panels to match the kitchen cabinets so disappear. Example by Retreatdesignperth

Thanks all - looking to redesign to something similar to this

I have a new-ish 2 metre by 85cm island. I thought it was actually 90cm wide but it’s not. The size is plenty big enough. It seats three comfortably, could do four. The width means someone can be eating on one side while I’m preparing on the other. You can also wipe easily from one side. Given you do have space limitations consider downsizing the width of your island. A bonus could be that some materials are cheaper and in a standard width of less or equal to 90cm.

This taken from a podcast by Frank of Fowler Homes.

AP: Frank, what design features. Do you think people should prioritise in their kitchens to really give it that wow factor?

FG: Wow factor. I think the island bench being 1200 wide is a nice wow factor. Standards, usually around the 900 mil wide, but the 1.2 makes it really grand and luxurious.

Looking at appliances is always a big thing that people like to look at, like an induction cooktop. Induction cooktop or double ovens is a real popular thing. Integrated fridges.

yes bins should be next to the prep area = sink area. And our fridge too worksis well accessed on the edge of the design so not to interrupt the chef

Hello Chris, I like the two straight runs of benching/cupboards like in the plan above. The fridge to the right and the island at 850mm or 900 is plenty wide enough. But I also like to have wall oven tower so the micro can live there too. The sink/dw and cook top on the back wall and not on the island is best plan. In the corner you can have a little hatch for tea/coffee/toaster but do not expect to use the area below the bench for much as it will be lost space. I hope this helps. Cheers Margot

Just wanted to loop back and thank everyone for the input and show the finished product!

Looks awesome well done. Are you happy with the functionality particularly the corner. Cabinet

Yes very happy! We lost some space below the counter, but maximised space above. The appliance garage actually has a tray on wheels that slides out.