Your kitchen looks lovely already; but I understand you need/desire for a microwave and dishwasher. Simple & least disruptive option: - Remove the boiler and cupboard surrounding (I'm assuming that's presently next to the fridge) - Relocate the wider 3 drawer unit to where the boiler cupboard was - Add new counter top to the 3 drawer unit - Put Microwave on the new counter top - Put the dishwasher next to the sink where the 3 drawer unit was originally (If the space left by the boiler cupboard can't take the wider 3 drawer unit then do all of the above using the narrower 3 drawer unit & buy a 'slim line' dishwasher to put in its place) I hope you find a solution - please post photos when you've finished so we can see what you did.

Hi there, here's my problem with your existing plan--there's no counter space between the sink and the refrigerator. Where will you prep your meals and where will you place your groceries when putting them away in the fridge? I have three ideas. 1.You could relocate the sink and DW to the peninsula. 2. Forget about the pantry, move the fridge over and gain that counter space. 3. Turn the pantry on it's side and make it 13" deep--it will still be useful. I am attaching a photo of a 13" hutch, but it could easily be a pantry with solid doors. I like that James Buckley suggested that you center the range on the wall--it makes it a focal point and you're not squished in the corner. Good luck and post photos when you're done.

I think the first layout is fine. You might want to consider moving the door for the storage room of the master bedroom so that it opens into the hall. That way the kids can use it for overflow storage. Also, that hallway is big enough that I think it could hold a large armour, providing more closet space. (There's no need to sleep in the same room as your clothes, so long as they're not too far off.) Also, don't forget that while the drawing shows kids in double beds, this need not be the case, so there will be more room for furniture (dressers or whatever) in their rooms. Finally, that step to bedroom 4 will not be odd at all. I've seen it in other homes. It looks clumsy in the drawing but it isn't. What you'll see when you come up the stairs is a bedroom door on a slight diagonal. It's only an odd jagged step if you walk like a robot, in straight lines along the wall, which is what your eye is doing on the drawing but you won't do in real life.

Lighting - pendants over the servery bench should be another feature that complements your chosen kitchen surfaces. So whilst I love the copper pendants in picture 1.. They could work depending on the rest of your decor and would be a highlight in a neutral white/timber kitchen = Good! If you choose copper you would complement it with a couple of copper bench top items. These are beautiful! (I collect copper because I love it, my kitchen pendants are silver, I renovated to sell in the next 3-5 years) You will see a picture starting to form in your mind and there is nothing wrong with making a statement with your lighting. I found that when I wasn't sure I would get a very strong sense of what was right and what was wrong for a space, then common sense or passion would determine the outcome! Here are another couple that might work, look her on Houzz under lighting, search pendants, then have fun looking!Timber tones with black or white to complement your cabinets... or Statement white pendants for a bit of quirky fun! Your personality can be reflected in your lighting and accessories creating that point of difference from the predictable white on timber look. Plus don't forget the power of greenery to punctuate the theme!