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

We have a dining room, just thinking it would be nice for the family to be able to sit in the kitchen. Also my partner really wants to knock the utility down to create a side access from front to back garden. And I’m not keen on having to go through the kitchen to get to the toilet. We could get an island in but not sure if it is best sue of space as one wall is left bare then?

I like Jonathan’s plan. Closing up the door to the living room from the kitchen as it gives you better space to work with and removing the cupboard gives better room. I personally would not open up the lounge as it will limit the space you have in the kitchen. It looks like you could put a downstairs loo in under the stairs. A lifesaver with kids and guests.