Architecture and interior design thread

That looks good - I did wonder if I'm really looking for a window if I want to be able to get access through it! Would need to see what heights might be available... Or to be fair I could sack off the window seat idea and then it becomes simpler, I'm just putting in a new patio door so I'd have two

Yeah Tbf even when I was on the phone to one of the companies I got quotes from (for two, so talking north of 15k) they were not really recommending them.

Ha! Well ok then - this is starting to seem like not such a great idea in that case.

Will see what other options might work - as said above, maybe I just need a normal door, but I liked the idea of a window seat.

I’d thought of something like this (although this is much bigger than the space we have anyway)

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Sliding or even, god forbid, bifold would work great for that.

Sliding would mean it needs to be wider to get enough of an opening (as you get less than 50% of the opening space), plus it pushes me into "door" sizes rather than large window - so means I do either sack off the window seat and make it a proper door, or struggle to find something in a weird size (super short door maybe?)

Other option is give up on opening and have a picture window - which would be easier to fit in and find, no weather seal issues, but loses the attachment between patio and dining room. I think maybe my inspiration pics are of bigger spaces than I actually have which is leading me astray!

Maybe the more straightforward choices are more like one of these two - even though neither really achieves the inside / outside thing for this room

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Reconfiguring the back to make use of the SW aspect over the garden and taking the opportunity to extend by 2m (needs a new roof so may as well).

The last few pages have been really useful/interesting in ideas, thank you all! We've considered various oriel windows or doors, current proposed attached (without pictured pivot door), has a corner window with bench seating but would welcome any suggestions. Likewise with proposed layout.

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Nice - is that the window seat in the top left/middle corner? What windows are you thinking - fixed picture windows?

Yeah, window seat and fixed picture.

The smaller windo is a hangover, it aligned with the peninsula kitchen before we committed to an extension

Currently I like the look of the two windows from the outside but I'm unsure from the inside

I wanted to have the same thing for our front room. I’m waiting to get the costings back but have asked for bifolding window with internal and external bench. Should have them in the next week or so

I'm thinking that with this lenght of kitchen inits, you can remove the kitchen island and you get 2 large nice spaces, with money for more outstanding specs.
If i was designing a corner bench i would want to use it mountain hut style and being able to drag a dining table next to it.

just my view of course

Ah interesting, would be keen to hear your experience on costs / options available

Thanks for thoughts/suggestions

Yeah, def. more storage/work surface than necessary (isn't that the kitchen dream?) but main reason is to face out into the living space when preparing/cooking/entertaining. That being said, I can def. imagine a large table instead - was that what you were thinking?

Mountain hut style?

When we did our reno years ago I purposely chose to remove some of the storage space from our kitchen, with a bit of a gain in counter space and seating room, worked well for us. This is a room that's approx 2.5m x 4m with 3 doorways at one end.
People always go too big when given the chance.

Thanks all for thoughts, have me wondering if something like this is a better use of space

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Sofa next to breakfast bar will feel odd (levels waaay off, cramped, no stools at island, not social, etc). The cost of achieving it (smaller kitchen) also feels sub-optimal.

Do you have a lounge elsewhere in the house?

Yep - first option looked nice to me

What's going on between sofa and sink?
That's a load of space you can't use.

That island is huge?
Ok, nice to have loads of prep space, but with an utility next door, how much do you need?
We cook a lot, and don't have near the space you get on that backwall. So really long worktop there,
one of those fancy cupboards that make the toaster disappear in the wall to utility?

Maybe use the corner window bench with a small table instead of breakfast bar, or try to have the big table there?

Agreed. Was an idea to see what could be achieved by reducing kitchen, confirmed our view that we are after a larger kitchen. Completely agree about the levels being off.

Yes, we have a lounge off the proposed dining room, 23sqm, so that will be primary seating area. Ambition is to have somewhere to have a coffee and read the paper looking out at the garden.

I like the idea of having a long worktop run along the back wall with no high cupboards. Agree prep space is excessive but with this layout I'm unsure loosing a cabinet or two gives us enough space to be usable.

I was leaning away from having a table by the bench but it probably makes sense more, less for eating, more for drinks/magazine.

I'm not a fan of breakfast bars, would prefer the storage

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I like this layout best, but I'd swap the sink and hob if possible. Also put the oven/s under the hob/bench so you have a nice full height pantry.

So that's just kitchen and dining.
Then I would just go for an island with cupboards instead of breakfast bar that leaves space for a nice smallish round table in the bench corner.

Reason for hob on island is this is where I spend most time, therefore can look at people rather than the wall. Does require a downdraft extractor which annoys me.

Good shout on hobs under

Massive cupboard bottom left of the picture?

We have cabinets over our bench sink. It’s always in the way.