How to increase functionality in a small kitchen?

jenandcas

Hello all,

I’m after some advice on how to increase the bench space, storage and functionality of a small kitchen and also open the space up a bit. Key requirements are the ability to fit an oven and a dishwasher (currently there is no oven) I would also love an island bench that doubles as a seating space however given the small footprint this may not be possible. 

The floorplan is currently not well utilised with three areas incorporating dining, meals and family being large and the kitchen space being very small. 

Some ideas at this stage are to remove the wall between the dining room and kitchen and extend the existing bench out (maintaining the U shape). We are on a fairly limited budget unfortunately so cannot afford to relocate plumbing or water. The dishwasher is currently located under the hotplates and there is no room under the sink to relocate it. We would update the sink to one bowl to fit it in. 

The other idea was to remove the bench facing the meals and turn it around (extending it into the meals area). Would appreciate any comments and thoughts.

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pstq

Do you mean turn the bench so it's one long bench from the sink? Wouldn't that cover those doors? It also doesn't add any storage space unless you get rid of the doors and put in overhead cupboards.

For more storage, could you add a suspended cabinet over the bench (if it stays where it is). That might add enough storage space that you could put an oven under that bench. You could put a wider benchtop on it so it overhangs in the meals area, and you could sit at it on bar stools.