Hi there, my husband and I are embarking on a self-build and we're in the early stages - have sketches but not formal drawings from our architect. This is going to be a small starting point because we have a small budget, with plans for extension in the 5-10 year range. The site is in a rural part of Wicklow, so there's no traffic as such (I have seen this as a consideration in other posts :). The question I have is around the size of the kitchen, which you can see in the photo below. The house is on a two-level site, so the main entrance will be through a lower level, under the living area, and up through the stairs in the bottom right corner (marked Down). The kitchen is only 2x4m and I'm not even sure it really qualifies as "galley". I am looking for some guidance as to the placement of our appliances. We'd really like to have big fridge/freezer (XX in the drawing) and dishwasher (not currently in the drawing) in there (in addition to your standard hob/oven/sink). There is a dotted line for counter or island against the wall with the stove, but we think we probably won't have space for that in the current dimensions. There is an option to extend the entire house by 0.5-1m out towards the deck (make it "longer" but keep it the same width), and we'd likely give all of those gains to the kitchen - kind of stretch the inside of the house. However, this would really strain the budget and we may not be able to swing it. Do you think we can make do with the kitchen at the current size and have all those appliances? How would you suggest we lay them out? Thanks so much for you advice! Seems like the people on this site really have a wealth of knowledge :).

Our flat has a very, very small kitchen. I'm trying to work out how to make the space look 'neater' and make the best use of this unused space between two cupboards. Some of the key issues: The corner wall cupboard contains the gas meter so can't get smaller and the boiler has to be replaced soon but the fitter has said needs to stay in the same location :( The boiler work means that the tiles can be changed as some will get ruined. The cupboard space is used for food and equipment only. (The fridge is in a nearby cupboard outside the kitchen and plates/bowls are in a unit in the dining room.) However, as I'm only 5ft the very top shelves are inaccessible and so mostly empty. I'd love to hear any suggestions, as it feels impossible to make this space any better.

I am building a house and below is the floor plans for the downstairs. The kitchen is along the right-hand side of the photo. I'm trying to figure out the best layout for this kitchen to function as a kitchen / dining area as well as a TV area, if possible. The current plan is to have a one wall kitchen and an island at the front of the kitchen (top of photo), a dining table in the middle, and then a couch facing the back (bottom of photo) wall. I'm concerned I'm squashing too much into one room. Are there any suggestions on how to maximise this space? In particular using that space just inside the door. I have quite a big family so would need to sit 6-8 at a dining table. I was considering having the dining table horizontal across the room but that might ruin the flow of it. Thanks.

Hi, I’m looking for some help with planning a kitchen extension. I ideally want to fit a kitchen island, sofa and media wall and a good size kitchen table. I have come up with a rough idea myself but I’m wondering if there are any alternative designs that might work better… I’m concerned that the existing kitchen which we are thinking will be come a lounge area will be the darkest part of the space. I imagine that when you put in an island the kitchen table isn’t used as much so would it be better to put the kitchen table in the darkest part of the room keeping all the more used spaces in the brightest part? Or is this not feasible with the space we have? Any advice or ideas appreciated!