Have been able to upload pics and make them stick now - Hooray. Having got all the info with regard future layout. I would say:- If you're thinking of having a downstairs loo / uitility area at some point, hang fire with the plumber and the placement of the toilet etc in the Hallway. If you place it there, you can't move the door, it will impede the layout of the kitchen. I think both the utility and the downstairs loo can be better placed, possibly at the back of the new kitchen, and the whole thing re-worked when an extension is done. However, I think it leads to a whole lot of dead space:- Or, preferably to do as first suggested above and then extend. In fact, i've sat with this on and off all day and am pretty much convinced having tried all sorts, that the layout with the utility and downstairs loo garden side is best. You could also do what Miinnie says with the storage under the stairs. You need the ideal layout for the kitchen, it's a big ticket item and needs very careful planning. It's grand to have plans, but doing little and often is sometimes not half as waiting until you can do it once and better.

Kerry I hope your break is lovely, kitchen design is one of the most stressful things and like you I tried to do it alone with the help of the so called kitchen designers and none offered clever ideas to bring out the best of our space. Frustrated I ended up listening to some of the advice on here and enlisted the help of Karen at OnePlan. She ended up giving us the space of our dreams with everything I wanted and suggested some fantastic solutions that we would have never had thought of. The advantage is that Karen gives you a set of comprehensive plans and a shopping list so all you have to do is email them to as many kitchen companies there are and ask for quotes. We had a huge differences for a handmade design from 33k to a more reasonable albeit built in pine 7.5k. I cannot tell you what a difference it will make to you working with a professional that is not looking to sell you cabinets but looks at your available space and listens to your needs. And you will more than save the money it costs you to employ them. I am not affiliated with Karen but I am a very happy customer, she was absolutely amazing to work with and I will forever recommend her services and already done so many times. Good luck and enjoy that beach <3

Hi Sarah, Thank you! It was actually made for us and was surprisingly simple to have done! Gina our designer (in the post above) did all of the measurements and gave us a specification to give to a carpenter / cabinet maker. He constructed it out of moisture resistant MDF and then we've just painted it and had custom cushions made. Having it all made was really very affordable. I am sure if you wanted something similar Gina would be able to help with a specification if you gave her the room dimensions- she's amazing :) Here's a couple of better pics of how it started and turned out; it was previously a small downstairs room that added little to the house and Gina came up with a design that incorporated it into the new kitchen to give us lots of space. To give a perspective on scale, the new table is 2.4m. Still needs a few more coats of paint but it's nearly done! Hope it helps! Best wishes, Claire

Thanks both. jones1987 they didn't have the colour I wanted but the bench with the high arms is exactly what I'm looking for so I've ordered a few more samples from them and will probably just compromise on the colour. I can see they also allow you to provide your own fabric but I don't really want to have to go through that. Please would you let me know how your bench is when it arrives and how comfortable? Their website has some lovely things, it may be a new favourite! Thanks,