Kitchen plans

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We are looking to renovate our kitchen area (Victorian terraced house) by building into the side return and extending a bit to the rear (just to where the former outside WC is currently, so only about a metre as we don’t want to lose garden / terrace space).
The house is on a hill so there are a lot of level changes. We would like to have a separate utility area plus a downstairs loo — these have been incorporated into the architect’s plans attached.
For the kitchen, we would like to be able to fit a proper dining table, have lots of storage, ideally a range cooker (I like the aesthetics and have always wanted one), dishwasher, hidden pantry for microwave, coffee machine, toaster etc., ideally some display space for cookbooks, pretty crockery, flowers and so on.
Thoughts on how best to use the space? I think an island doesn’t suit this kitchen but is that right?

Also, ideas on flooring?

Some potential kitchen plans attached but not feeling 100% about them.

What are the overall dimensions and what is at the end? Bifold doors?
Sorry your plans are not opening very large for me.
A table in the middle is fine if there's plenty of room but when people sit at it, they spread a lot.
As long as you aren't moving a person every time you want in a pantry cupboard etc.
Will you work predominantly one side of it or need to keep going round?

Not seeing a lot of worksurface by the cooker but it is perhaps just not obvious?

Think the plan is to keep most of the kitchen bits to one side (sort of a triangle). I don’t have the exact dimensions but think it’s about 5m x 4.5m total, maybe a bit under. Have highlighted the worktop next to the cooker in the attached but agree there doesn’t seem to be a great deal of workspace but not sure how to get around that other than using the table as a prep surface as well?

What about something like a split level island so it is part table height and part prep space height.
I think for such a big kitchen, the lack of space to plate up will annoy you.

It looks a bit more in your second drawing than the first. Only looked one cupboard wide originally but it it runs into the sink you still need a bit of space. Don't want to lose someone's tea into the washing up!

A generous table can work well as extra prep space. Ideally, big enough to have wet stuff or pastry rolling at one end while kids are doing homework on laptops down the other end. Better for short cooks than tall ones, perhaps. A big table could also be used for Lego, games etc as DC get bigger and start to move off the floor.

I don’t think you have enough worksurface, unless you count the table, but I don’t personally find a dining table useful as worksurface - wrong height and chairs around it.

I would put the dining table in the area labelled play, and have an island parallel to the wall run.

Alternatively, perhaps a better use of space: make a U shaped kitchen with an island facing the garden and units on both side walls but only to half way along the wall, then dining table at the garden end. Hope that makes sense.

Thanks, minipie, that’s an interesting idea. I have been mulling it over but I am worried about the U blocking access from the living room or hallway to the garden, if you see what I mean? I wish it could be wider so I could have an island and a dining table side by side like here: pin.it/E9vZuL0

Yes I thought you probably didn’t have quite enough width for that layout

I have two friends with the U shape layout and it works well, doesn’t block access to the garden as there are two paths through, one each side of the island .

I have to say though, your utility area and loo are eating up a lot of kitchen space. I’d be inclined to carve these off the second reception instead and get more space in the kitchen - though depends whether that will mess with original features etc.

if you want the island & dining table side by side, you could do it if you have bench seating on one side of the table.

like this
www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/168392473558511695/

it takes up a LOT less space than a row of chairs, so then you can gain space for an island or something else.

Also, think about how people will move through the space. do you need both staircases to get in, or could the one from the Family room be blocked off?

here is one option. K is the core kitchen which is a U shape with all the appliances close by and no one will walk through and bash the chef.

the dining table has a built in bench to safe space (but a round table might also fit). This leaves plenty of space for playing, possibly with a small sofa or arm chairs?

there is a little nook (S) between the family room & kitchen which could have a window or opening into the kitchen. I'd fill it with bookshelves and have a small desk for someone to work? Or a reading chair.

Haven’t looked too closely at the plans but first off I wouldn’t put the oven next to the fridge freezer. They should be far apart, ideally on different walls. You want the fridge near wherever you come in with the shopping, ideally with worktop next to it. Oven needs to have a surface next to it, ideally also close to sink.

Chairs get pulled out from the table and a proper seating area needs lots of space to circumnavigate. Putting a table and chairs in the middle of your floor condemns the space around it. Also consider dishwasher open and chairs not tucked in.

If you’re looking to seat and feed 6-8 people, you need a LOT more work surface.

I’m not sure you have enough space for all the things you want. Does your range not have an oven? Do you have to have a wall oven as well, especially when you’re lacking work surface?

Where is your bin?

The oven on the architect’s plan is definitely incorrect — not looking to have a wall oven. The bin would be in one of the cupboards next to the sink with the dishwasher on the other side.

I like the idea of bench seating on one side. Lots to think about — will try to play around with more ideas.