A 50cm is not wise enough to be an entry way. So the second option is better.
Is I

Actually, I checked the plans and it is more like 600mm. Would that be a better width?

Well 600 is better than 500 but as drawn you won’t get 600 once you allow for a jam and hinges. A standard door is about 820. Go and mark off 500 in one of your existing doors with tape/cardboard and then imagine using it multiple time to prepare a meal. You may find it ok, but it would be too tight for most.

my suggestion is a combination of both ideas with an angled wall to allow for 750 wide doorway but, as i expect that the door would rarely be closed, make sure that you ask the cabinet maker to make the pantry door out of a thin cabinet door matreial so it can stand back out of the way against the inside pantry wall or you may decide not to add any door ...and, inside the pantry has 400-450 deep counter along the long side, and a deeper 450-600 counter at the narrow end of the pantry as it makes a better work surface for sorting supplies and hopefully you will be able to steal some extra storage space under the stairs and i would also have 150-200 deep open shelves above and open shelves below the counter although sliding doors might work if preferred and i would also rearrange the cooktop and stacked wall oven for a more symmetrical look

They are excellent suggestions. I didn't think of swapping the cooktop and wall oven as thats the way it has always been but I like the symmetry in the swap. I can also get a larger pantry with combining the two designs. Yes. I had thought the pantry door would be tall kitchen cabinet door to match the other doors.; I'd seen one at a kitchen showroom. I have a pantry now where the sliding door is always open, so hoping to be able to keep this one closed!

The stairs are actually going down, so no opportunity for storage under there :(

yeah!! stairs going down is so much better as you can have upstairs pantry storage that can be built as deep as needed starting from above upstairs floor height so as not to impact head room over the stairs...talk to your builder to work out how much space they can allow for built ins without impacting the structure as it will make much more space for a better pantry

The kitchen is small, I would like to see more of the floorplan to see what is possible

I thought it was a good size. There are only two of us - empty nesters!

It’s not dissimilar to mine in size and it’s a family home. I have repurposed a nearby cupboard for appliance storage but at the moment I have empty cupboards having had a good clean out.

It looks like you are making a lot of changes and wonder if you could expand that pantry area as per the following. you could just have a 600 deep extension to the existing with cupboards/shelves above or do a return at the end of the space ?

I would also look to extend the 620 Nib wall to 700 depending on the depth of your fridge and add another 25m panel on the other side to build it in, if not you will have part of the side of the fridge next to the cooktop.

bigreader - the designs are very similar. Yours looks great and you have a lovely big window over the sink. I am going for a narrow window below eye height otherwise I will just have a birds eye view into my neighbours driveway and carport which is understandably used for storage! I think both our kitchens are a good size. I am not an amazing cook and don't spend hours in the kitchen baking ect. Our kitchen is very much a utility space - we gather elsewhere. The kitchen is being relocated and at the moment is around the corner and a bit out of sight. I am nervous about the whole open plan thing and still wonder if I am doing the right thing. The current kitchen is where the new study is going to be.

Hi Susan, that’s funny I also look out into the neighbours carport. I would go with a larger window, you can always add frosting or window coverings that allow light with an obscured view. I love the practicality of open plan but it’s a battle to keep the island clear. I’m sure when you’ve finished all your remodeling you’ll love it.

you could also add a fixed window between stairwell to add extra daylight to the pantry

Bigreader your kitchen is looking great. We had an island on wheels growing up. The wheels were fully concealed and didn’t lock. Lots of people got surprised when it moved as they leant on it. I use to move it to use it to climb up to reach overhead cabinets. Memories.

I was wondering if you might consider the following layout to avoid that awkward corner space you can buy pantries that have doors that open out and then slide back on each side, you have enough space for them. I also feel that having the sink so far from the cooktop, draining hot water etc could be a problem. This plan can give a 3M island with a panel behind the sink to cover any dish mess, it can also do a return around to the side facing the walkway, Having furniture shown on a floorplan helps to see how the whole room works.

Hi siriukey and thanks for your suggestion. I did consider this kind of arrangmenet, however decided aginst it for these two main reasons. 1. I don't want a sink in the island. 2. the view from our home is to the north west so want to keep the sitting area closest to the back of the house. That's why the dining table it in the middle. Please keep you ideas coming!

I didn't see any furniture placement in your posts , I had placed a floor to 40cm panel above the benchtop where the sink is to give coverage to any mess if that's what you are concerned with. Given the sink in your floorplan is to the side it will be exposed to the whole space. Your current Island is 2100 the new 3m so plenty of space with extra storage, which way is North?

Thx Kate. Hoping my teenagers don’t climb on the island. The castors are more visible than I’d like but I love the practicality. My prior island (same kitchen guy) was also on castors but the panels extended to near the floor. Missed this in the drawings this time. :)

Hello Susan, I like the plan that Siriuskey drew with the bench continuing all the way into the pantry area. The bench maybe harder to get to the further in you go so a return across the end would be good (altho I hate the dead corner) It would be open all the time but that is not too much of a problem in my book: the kitchen is a work space so it doesn't matter if it looks like it! Think practical. If the builder does a 70mm wall or adds a fixed glass to the top of the stairs it will at lease give the illusion of more space! Then the appliances have the room to live and work in the pantry. Flour, sugar, cocoa above and bowls, tins and spatulas in drawers below and a chocy cake is made in to time!! Air fryer, spray olive oil and tongs: Juicer, glasses, tea pot, mugs, toaster and spreads, you get the idea! It looks like a great kitchen to me and I am like you: I only have a kitchen because it came with the house. But I love the way mine works and love my wall oven so I'm not groveling with roast dinners or chocy cakes either!! enjoy and show us what you finish up with! Cheers Margot PS great idea to not have the sink on the island. put it as far to the dining end as possible to give as much benching as possible. :)