Hi minnie101, thank you for your questions. The cupboard is unfortunately the only storage space in the whole flat (for coats, shoes, vacuum clearner, ironing board, clothes airer, boiler etc) so I don't think I can move that but wish I could. By removing the wall we aim to allow natural light into the currently dark kitchen and allow a view from the kitchen out the dining area window and make it more open plan but it could also open up the possibility of extending some of the kitchen into the current dining space but still assessing if doing that will encroach too much on the dining area or if keeping the kitchen roughly in it's current area is a better balance with the dining area.

I like the layout- I don’t think you can do much else and there is not enough space for an island and a peninsula would cut down the kitchen space. Personally I think the extra storage at the dining end is useful. Personally I think there are a couple of extra things you could consider:- Firstly there are drawers under the hob flanked by cupboards. Personally I would rather see a wall of drawers to give you longer horizontal lines to make the space seem wider. Secondly I would prefer the storage at the dining end of the room to stop 300/400mm from each corner for an unfitted look which I think also contributes to a feeling of space. If there is no bin planned then you need that planned in a cabinet on the sink wall. Personally I prefer to see a wider raised cabinet over the hob as I think the likely lower cabinets each side crowd the hob. It looks like your fridge opens the wrong way and doesn’t fit in the units. I would rather see an integrated fridge- if it has to be free standing don’t build cabinets around it, put it at the end of the run. I think fitting cabinets around a fridge frames it and I think normally we only put a frame around treasured pictures not the plainest lump of metal in the house. Next you say the dining area feels too formal- I would make it more comfortable , choose a round table and upholstered chairs with a chandelier over. Flooring- your choose kinda depends on the kitchen cabinet choices. If you choose wood in your kitchen then porcelain tiles laid on the diagonal will help it seem wider. A wood floor direction can also help it feel wider. A rug under the table will also help the room seem less long. Lastly consider the lighting. Of course it needs to be light enough to cook but when you are sat relaxing or entertaining at your table you need to be able to switch off the ceiling lights in the kitchen and create an ambiance from under cabinet lighting, an over table light (with a dimmer), lighting in the dining end storage (glass cabinets?) or walk over lights that spill light up the wall

Hob should not be close to seating area - as splashes can be hot ! Sink should be close enough to safely walk between hob and sink with heavy pan without trip hazards and Fridge should have enough air space around it to allow doors to open fully . There’s loads of plans on our pro page if you want to look at some design layout ideas . Click on my name or icon to get to our pro page !

Hi Lizzie, it’s really hard to see on the plan as some things were made by the builders. The large cupboard next to the fridge houses a washer dryer but they just put doors on the ‘hole’. We had normal height cupboards with half height on top plus skirting board to take it all to the ceiling so as to avoid dust traps. But extra high on the sink side so the tap would fit. Under the breakfast bar is a wine fridge and two wall shelf units - one had the back taken off so as to make it full depth for all our other booze bottles! Everything is from Wren. I can send you measurements if it helps but the plans are a mess as they have random bits stuck in places as our builders did lots of fiddling! Very happy to talk you through each unit if it helps. Amazing extendable table from danetti (the cheapest one they sold!)