could rotate the island so it faces the row of larders, want to be looking our the garden when sitting. that's if you wanted seating on the island :)

Could you repost the floorplan a bit clearer with some rough measurements please? And with neighbours on the right you mean the ones your kitchen+bathroom is NOT connected to? And with a party wall already in place would they agree with an extension on the full width?

There are so many options though, it can be a bit overwhelming, plus it really depends on what feel you're going for, your familys needs etc.   I like where you were going with your rubbed out island instead of the peninsula.  I feel peninsulas cut up a room when you've just spent all that money opening it up! I would put all my tall units against the new utility room so that the rest of the kitchen can be really light and open with lots of worktop. We could even look at secret pantries/walk through larder connecting to the utility! I would avoid having a TV in here if possible, make this the social room.  Then you could put the sofa against the wall, looking into the garden.  If you'd like a free, no obligation chat to bounce some ideas around, feel free to get in touch www.thekitchenladyuk.co.uk  Good luck Emily

I’m not sure how large or what age your family is, any / how many pets, accessibility needs for residents and regular visitors, budget, etc, etc – so I’m making suggestions somewhat in the dark. But I’ve made some ideas for sorting this at the end Re Wc I agree 1 x ground floor WC is an excellent idea, not convinced about needing 2 when 2 of the upstairs bathrooms are not ensuite (appreciate you don’t want visitors in your ensuite). However, I would place it where its easily accessible from the garden end of the house. For eg, get rid of the WC at end of cloaks – that way you could extend the cloaks area for more coats, wellies etc and potentially further storage on the wall up to ceiling (depending on how you lay it out) Re utility & WC reconfigure layout so washing machine is in insulated cupboard at the far end to minimise noise / vibration coming thru to habitable rooms. There is presumably room for a drain / soakaway there as you were planning a WC. I’m guessing you’re having a sink in there I’d recommend one big enough to be useful for handwashing delicates and for washing dirty items (including small muddy dogs) that you wouldn’t want to wash upstairs or in kitchen but that need a bigger sink than the one in WC. If sink is up near the washing machine they can share the drain. Having these and the units on the external wall will reduce & hide the pipe run. I’m presuming the new WC at end has direct drainage to outside? Re the snug I’d make a feature of the enclosed-ness for snuggling in front of the fire, whilst still having the necessary light. You could achieve this by having a part glazed dividing wall. Glass could be clear at the top to max light and opaque / decorated lower down (eg down to shoulder height for privacy when sitting). Check the up to date requirements, but I think its glass equivalent to about 10% of floor area. Kitchen / dining / living area List your requirements, for eg – Be realistic as to whether you eat together as a family or not – this may change depending on ages of your kids (if any). How often do you entertain? And is that informal or formal? Plus mundane things like will the recycle stuff go in here or the utility & removed once a fortnight or straight outside? Importantly, I’d suggest that you sit down and make lists – of what you would like to achieve by the end - be specific, perhaps naming up to 7 things. Get partner and kids to make their lists too and look at them all together. As the adults who are paying for it you obviously get the final say, but what this will do is help you to focus on what you do want / need which in turn will help a designer achieve that for you. And then consider hiring a designer and a project manager (unless designer does both) to organise and direct the whole thing – it’s a lot to do and lots of different elements. You may well be organised and motivated to manage it yourself, but do you also have the time and the knowledge? It’ll be exhausting enough ‘just’ being the client with decisions to make! Btw I’m a garden designer, writer & gardening teacher currently 1 year into a 4 year plan for renovating a previously uncared for house and large garden – I feel your pain and indecision!! Marie