Need help with kitchen layout to maximise space

Hi,

We're planning a kitchen renovation but feeling a bit stuck with the layout. Our goal is to make the most of the space and create a functional, efficient design.

Our current kitchen is quite small (approximately 3m x 3m), so we're considering incorporating some space from the adjacent bathroom to expand the kitchen area. I've attached the existing kitchen layout and measurements in a CAD drawing, along with the proposed new kitchen area. We'd really appreciate your help in designing a layout that maximizes both space and usability.

Please note that all dimensions in the CAD drawing are in feet.

Proposed Kitchen .jpg Kitchen Measurements.png Exsisting Kitchen .jpg

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @diva9. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about planning a kitchen.

You might like to start by reading through this helpful guide: How to plan a kitchen renovation. Also, check out our Top 10 most popular kitchen projects for inspiration.

Sacrificing an entire bathroom to expand your kitchen is definitely a bold move, and I presume this must be a second bathroom if you're considering letting it go. It's worth thinking about the potential impact on your home's resale value—especially if that second bathroom was added to improve day-to-day functionality. While extra kitchen space can be a huge plus, losing a bathroom could turn off future buyers depending on your household setup and market expectations.

You might like to share a few photos of your current kitchen so our members can get a clearer sense of what you're working with. At around 4.2m x 2.9m, your current kitchen doesn’t seem overly small, though not large, so it would be helpful to understand the specific challenges you're facing. Are you running out of bench space, needing more storage, or just hoping to create a more open and functional layout?

Looking at your plans, I noticed you're aiming to create more room to the right of the stove. Even that adjustment alone could have a big impact—it should open up more usable bench space and allow for additional cabinetry, which will make a real difference in both workflow and storage. You might also find that just reconfiguring the existing layout—perhaps by moving appliances or shifting the entry point—could solve a lot of the issues without needing to remove the bathroom entirely.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

diva9

Hi Mitchell,

Thank you for replying to my post. We’re converting the laundry into a combined bathroom and laundry, and we’re also adding an extra powder room. That’s why we decided to take this approach.

I’ve attached a photo of the current kitchen. At the moment, we’re running out of storage space, and there's not enough room to keep everything organized.

Kitchen Image.jpg

Jason

Hi @diva9,

Let me tag some experienced renovators for their thoughts: @Nailbag, @Renowayoflife, @2Belindas, @redbournreno, @homeinmelbourne

Jason

diva9

Thank you Jason, really appreciate it

EricL

Hello @diva9

Thank you for sharing the details of your kitchen. I've done a sample sketch of your kitchen with the priority of maximum storage. This includes a corner pantry and a 600mm standard pantry. I've included an oven tower which frees up the bottom of your cooktop and have placed a pot and pan drawers along with cutlery drawers at the side. I've placed a 900mm gas cooktop just in case you were wondering if it could be put in, but you can reduce it back to a standard 600mm ceramic cooktop if you wish.

I'll be doing one more kitchen design with a more open presentation and if you wish to modify any of the layouts, please let me know.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

diva9

Thank you Eric, just confirming is that kitchen space taking the extra space in consideration from the bathroom area ?

EricL

Hello @diva9

The measurements are based on your 13'11'' x 9'x11" rounded up. I've placed measurements in millimetres but still based on the measurements you've provided.

If you need further assistance, please let me know.

Eric

diva9

Thank you Eric, I am waiting for your other open layout option which I hope include the bathroom space. Will it be possible to add an island in the space ?

EricL

Hello @diva9

If the space of 13'11 is not the full size of the kitchen space what is actual length of the kitchen? If it is much wider an island might be possible.

Eric

Nailbag

Hi @diva9

Kitchen & bathrooms are key feature spaces in any home. So, I have to agree with @MitchellMc that sacrificing any space from a bathroom will have a detrimental effect on resale.

Having said that, it would be very helpful to get a better understanding of the current full floorpan to offer any potential usable advice. Also can you confirm if your home is on a concrete slab or stumps? This impacts the ability and affordability to make significant changes to the current plumbing to suite any new or renovated space.

Regards Nailbag

diva9

Hi @Nailbag,

You and @MitchellMc are absolutely right with your point on kitchen and bathroom , I should've included the existing floor plans along with the proposed one when I asked my question. Here is the existing floor plan.

Also my house is on stumps.

diva9

Hi @Nailbag & @MitchellMc,

Here is the proposed floor plan layout. Let me know your thoughts !!

diva9

Hi @EricL, the bathroom space is another 5 feet 4 inch which can be added to existing kitchen of 13 feet 11 inches. Total space would be 18 feet 15 inches.

Thank you 🙂

Renowayoflife

Hi @diva9 sounds like an exciting project. I think it's a great idea, you need to consider a floorplan that will work for you. Are you looking for a bigger footprint, more storage or both?

You could always open it up so it's a larger space for working in or if you're happy with the space and lack storage you could convert the bathroom into a walk in pantry and include all of your small appliances, food and various other storage needs then your kitchen bench is clean for usage.

Without seeing the whole house and what's beside the kitchen these are just thoughts - you could also run the bench where the cooker is further along that wall to create more bench and storage space. Another option would be to include a floating island - on wheels rather than a peninsula but once again it depends on how you want to use the room.

Just some thoughts.

thanks Claire

IG: Renowayoflife

Renowayoflife

Just another thought - I'm not sure if you're planning to have chairs at the peninsula, just test the hallway to ensure it's not awkward to walk past or come out of the bedroom.

diva9

Hi Claire( @Renowayoflife ),

Thank you for your response. I’ve uploaded both our existing and proposed floor plans. It would be great to hear your thoughts on how we can design the kitchen within that space.

Looking forward to your input!

Renowayoflife

OK this may be controversial but if you're renvoting a home you plan to live in and embarking on such an expense this is what I would do.

I would open the wall between the dining and living room and move the kitchen there - the flow between the living spaces will make more sense. I would extend the dining wall where you enter to give you more space in the new kitchen. This would then allow you to have an island and more flexibility with the layout. I would then use the old kitchen as an office / dining or whatever you want to use it for and you can actually cut this space in half to create more build in storage where you can house all of your household items etc.

Hope this helps,

Good luck

diva9

Thank you @Renowayoflife, although I am bit unclear on the layout n you mentioned, would you be able roughly draw it. Also, this is not our forever home.

Nailbag

Hi @diva9

My first thoughts here is the reconfiguration of spaces can be far better improved upon if you can sacrifice Bed 2. On paper the central living space is awkwardly positioned and shaped. The entrance into the home is disjointed having to make your way through 2 rooms/ 2-doorways to go around the powder room to enter the main central area.

These comments are obviously past the original scope, but if your going to consider what already is major internal renovations, there are several other considerations I think worthy of mapping out.

Nailbag

BennettT

Hi there!
I feel that closing the entrance way makes your house difficult to navigate, i think your best option to increase your kitchen space would be to do something like my attached image. you could still do your Euro laundry if you wanted to as well.

EricL

Hello @BennettT

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us.

This layout you've proposed is exactly what diva9 had in mind. I was also in the process of updating her render but have not yet finished. As soon as I finish the new sketch, it will look very close to your suggested plan.

Thank you for sharing your ideas with us.

Eric

diva9

Thank you @BennettT , However, the family area has been sacrificed in this floorplan.

diva9

Thank you @EricL, can't wait to see your sketched plan 🙂

EricL

Hello @diva9

My apologies for the delay. Here is the new layout with the bathroom space included. If you would like to see it in another configuration, please let me know.

Eric

diva9 kitchen A7.jpg diva9 kitchen A6.jpg diva9 kitchen A5.jpg diva9 A4.jpg diva9 kitchen A3.jpg diva9 kitchen A2.jpg diva9 kitchen A1.jpg

diva9

Thank you so much @EricL ..that's amazing

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