How to make use of this space

[Maximinimalist]

Hi creative and innovative Mumsnet

I’m looking for advice on how to make use of the space in the attached. Specifically the space marked 2100mm and extension.

I am thinking of putting the “formal” dining table and chairs in the 2100mm area (it is 2100mm at its narrowest). The extension is 9700x3700 and I’m thinking of putting the kitchen and an island in the end closest to the would-be dining area plus a sitting area to the far end.

The swiggly lines are glass.

My worry is that we would need to walk through the dining area to get to the kitchen and the dining area would be tight with a table and chairs - 2100mm at the narrowest doesn’t give much clearance.

We can’t afford to tear down any load bearing walls.

Any ideas on whether this is the best place for a formal dining area and if not a formal dining area, then what could this room be best used for?

I would put the dinning table on the other side 2100 area in the new extension. Then remove window or at least create a doorway from there into the extension. In that space I’d set up a little library/study area. A coffee space with an individual chairs and a lamp.

Formal dining the other side of the glass doors.

2100mm space as a breakfast/coffee space. Small table that could also be used for homework or admin.

It doesn't feel like the most effective use of space and money to have an extension that makes quite a lot of the existing space not very useful. How much would it cost to open up that dining area with a steel so that it's a big L-shape?

I think the above design will be really frustrating to live with every day. Is there even room to walk through the dining area if a couple of people are sat at the table?

It feels like false economy to build the lovely big space at the back but potentially end up with the dining area being a dead space/corridor to the kitchen.

Hope that didn't sound rude. It wasn't meant to.

We're in the process of deciding on our extension and as a result of watching tons of Love It Or List It we've realised it's not a huge new box on the back that we need, it's just a reconfiguration of existing space with a much smaller extension or loft conversion.

I would use the ‘nook’ for plants/cabinetry/ cosy armchair as PP suggested, a snug entry way to larger kitchen / dining space

This is a floor plan for a house we looked at. It might give you some ideas.
We also (rightmove only) looked at a house with a breakfast bar/snug in the central room.

Would there be any way to put the door to the utility room in the hallway?

It is a lot of doors into an already narrow space.

You could then have more of an l shaped kitchen like in @MerryPenopause diagram but going round corner so less fragmented.

How set are you on an island? I am not sure how well the space works for it. You could have a very long l shape maybe with narrow units under the internal window (full height units where the utility door is so it keeps an airy feeling).

Then you'd have a huge space for dining and extra sitting in front of all the glass

Thanks all. A lot of food for thought.

A couple of things that are making the arrangements difficult: (1) it would be an easy solution to put the dining table in the extension. However, we are worried that the upholstery on the chairs, which have sentimental value, will be bleached by the sun (2) we do not want huge open plan, though we are not averse to it, and (3) the view at the back is one of the main reasons we bought the house and want to make the most out of it. You can see the view straight through the hallway.

The extension already exist but it needs rebuilding and we are making the route from the existing kitchen to the extension wider.

I guess you could do something like this

A round table in the dining area (D) might feel more spacious than a rectangle which will always be too big one way.

can you take out the window where I have white scribbles? that will make a big difference to how people move through the space.

and I think the kitchen (K) and sofa (S) are as you suggested.