The Island serves as a good go between from one side of kitchen to other - and a shopping bag drop zone to the pack the fridge and pantry. And as a work surface to put hot things coming out of the oven ! If you decide to scrap the island, then you will need a landing /drop zone for these uses near/on the oven and fridge run. Suggest you have open pantry /book /basket shelving on left wall just inside the room entrance door to stop doors conflicting if you intend to have a self closing fire door here . Modern integrated FF's can be placed next to ovens with no problem - usually I'd suggest FF hinge position next to oven side* to avoid blasts of heat going into FF if both opened at same time. Arrangement would also depend on primary users left or right handed status . As main walkway between oven/FF run and seating area at back of island i'd suggest .95m clearance between front of island and hob run and 1.23m between seating and tall cabinets in this instance. Then be mindful of DW placement so as not to interfere with standing room in front of hob as lots of us leave the DW open for some time while stacking ! *Nb. In America they wouldn't approve if you put the oven on that wall as its the main walkway - it would probably be suggested to be placed on horizontal bottom wall . It's quite sensible if you think about it ! For a professional independent kitchen plan that you can shop around with - you can contact an independent kitchen planner (like me) If you like ! Click on my name to be taken to my pro page for examples and prices etc ! You will save much more than the design fee by shopping around and comparing like for like !!! Kind regards Karen OnePlan

E D not sure why there wasn't an option to personalise my user name it just gave it to me! Jonathan thank you so much for your detailed drawing it had never occurred to us to think about that layout which is why we posted on here Our house is built on a hill so our extension floor level is up around 1.5m and you have caught the shape down the side of our garage perfectly so would that all add to the cost of the build The layout does definitely give us something to think about as it wouldn't iinterfere with the light in our main living space and would be nice to have the option of the shower in there too

Hi B W, Yes, the architecture of the space is a bit of a challenge. If all you want is a new kitchen rather than remodeling (hence keeping the footprint of the space the same), may I suggest the following which will give you a breakfast bar, more usable work surface in your kitchen, and enough room in the area opposite you dining room to put lounge seating which will accommodate all of your guests, until you eat together in the dining area: Remove the island - awkward placement and is probably challenging to use effectively when cooking I'd imagine as so far from other appliances and cooking areas. Extend the cabinetry and countertop on the short wall out into a peninsula with breakfast bar (keeping the passageway to enter the kitchen area adequate). An example of this is drawn in my comment for another Houzz question which may help with the visualization of this concept - https://www.houzz.co.uk/discussions/5948686/forever-home-wrong-downstairs-layout-help-please#25741749 In the area left-over, only put lounge seating enough for 8 including pull up poofs or stools (these can also act as side tables with smaller groups) around a small coffee table, rather than an additional eating area (table and chairs) as your dining room is open and so close by. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Personally I think that island is too close to the bifolds, that the former dining room will just be a cut through to the extension and the utility room has better light than your second reception. I think you should make your utility room an internal room and consider if the principal living space should be at the back with the kitchen where it will be used more.