I think that you need to leave a wider gap, 30cm is not wide and I think it will look like what it is, ie stopping the units so they don't get in the way of the french doors. I would go with a 60-80cm gap and make a useful feature out of it with floor to ceiling shelving. I've found a picture showing some shelving stepped back from regular depth units, so you get an idea. Another option is to use a rounded base unit if you like them and maybe put a stool or plant in the gap.

hi Jonathan. thanks for replying and the great plan. £4/5k is what we have budgeted for the porch as I feel reluctant to get rid of it for good as i think the house would look ugly from the outside and could be a really useful space if done correctly. The plan you have done is similar to what's in my head but in my head my kitchen is a lot bigger Lol!! I think it has to be a peninsula from that wall doesn't it? and we couldn't have doors out into the garden as the garage is below the kitchen then another storey below that down into the garden. it's a wierd 60's house and we have just discovered 3 rooms and a corridor under the house at the side of the garage internal wall which we didn't even know was there as there was no access to any of it. with regard to the cupboard in the study that's a really good idea to use that space in the kitchen my only concern is because it's a supporting wall with a corner would you need a column there or could a lintel do the job? the more I think about it the more complicated it's getting. thank you for your help

I second Johnathon's kitchen extending across the pantry. I'd consider leaving it as a straight run of kitchen units though. No return or peninsula. That would help with opening up the space. If it's a 2 bed flat the 3800mm (?) run should be enough if it's planned well. Especially with a induction hob and smaller sink and that lovely large pantry, you've got more enough space. Then you could add a longer but narrow table with one bench seat. Tuck that against the side wall with the bench under and you can use regular chairs around it (or another bench on the long side). Pull it out from the wall when you have guests over. The leftover space can be filled with a nice lounge area.

I think those yellow walls should be 1.2m and maybe even longer as you don't have a lot of wall space to work with. Personally I am not keen on peninsulas as I think they trap the kitchen user and divide the room in two. I far prefer islands. Of the two suggested layouts I prefer the top one but careful measuring will be needed. Pushing the table up against the island is practical but still I am not convinced that you have the space to seat 8 people. I have 6 chairs and my table is already 2.5m long. 8 chairs will not be comfortable in that space. Do you need to seat 8 people all the time? Do the proposed layouts show a window where you have a door on the left?