Oh, I see, thanks. It really is a separated cooking room, which I don't mind -- sometimes I don't want to clean up fully after a long day and it is out of sight of the rest of the living areas -- and the route to the backyard/basement/back garage door/ trash.recycling.compostbins really can't be changed. It is a utility space. In a perfect world, it would have more connection to my large patio and garden out back.One of the reasons I would like to bring back the covered-up window. But I am a utilitarian cook for the most part -- I cook to eat, not as a sensory experience or for relaxation etc. I guess my only exception to that is I do like to preserve fruits, pickles, relishes etc from my yard and experiment with that -- like making my own pumpkin syrup-- this urge strikes me 2 -3 times a year! We eat in the dining area. It is just myself and my daughter, and this again works for us--connecting over the table instead of in front of a TV. If she were younger, I might lean toward a more open plan (as I had back then in another house) but this really is fine with me. I am not at all inclined to go to the expense of removing walls. I just want to make this space as functional and easy to use as I can within its current confines. I have trouble visualizing (or even thinking of)different options, so I really appreciate your help! Putting the fridge and pantry on the south wall will narrow the walk-through space, but on the other hand, I will be opening up room to work on the east wall that is wasted now, so the cook will be more out of the way of that path.

Designing a patio with just a few measurements would be difficult. Too many variables such as exposure, intended usage, views to protect and privacy needed. I can describe ours because we miy have some similarities. The patio was designed rectangular. In incorporates the bump-out for dining. Our basic patio measures 26' x 24' with adjccent 8' x 12' for a hot tub and 5' x 9' for grilling space. We had a landscaper then plan the adjacent gardens which are 24' diameter and soften the patio edges. I suggest you measure, stake and string a basic patio layout and imagine the features you need. How many people, seating, dining etc. Good luck. Here is a link that might be useful: Patio/Back Lawn

Rosie is right, we need more information. For example, if you cook a lot, you have very little workspace around the cooktop and that angle is an issue. To have a decent amount of workspace and landing space around that cooktop, you should aim for 24" on each side. 18" and less than 12" won't cut it...at least not if you cook much. The prep (or bar) sink and wide expanse of counter is "orphaned"...the island is a barrier b/w it and the cooktop. You have all three primary work zones crammed into one small section of your kitchen...the Prep, Cooking, and Cleanup Zones are all on the small island (small with regards to how it's setup for working) and the counter behind it. You also have your Prep Zone facing the wall, not into the room where you could visit while working. (Because the island is a barrier to the prep sink and has very, very little accessible workspace, you will most likely end up prepping to the right of the cleanup sink...that's where you have water and access to the cooktop.) Also, because you have seating at the island, it will be difficult for anyone to work at that counter with the prep sink...the aisle is just too narrow for both. Personally, I'd get rid of the island seating, you have plenty on the peninsula. If this is more of a "show" kitchen, then function may not matter to you, do whatever "looks" nice to you. (Having a kitchen just for show is fine if that's what works for you, we're all different. Just let us know so we can tailor our comments to the purpose of the kitchen.) Or, maybe you eat mostly raw food and rarely cook. Looking forward to learning more about how you plan to use your kitchen. (Meanwhile, check out the "Layout Help" topic in the "Read Me" thread. It talks about what kind of information we need to help you.) Good luck! Here is a link that might be useful: New To Kitchens? Posting Pics? Read Me!

Are you wanting to keep a dedicated eat-in nook or can that go? You mentioned wanting a reach-in pantry, are you hoping to also create some mud-room functionality in the space for those snowpants? One idea would be to add a back door where the eat-in nook windows currently are, and on the wall where the shelves are, you could install nice mudroom cabinetry, e.g. a long built-in bench with storage below, hooks above and possibly overhead cubbies. The door would let some additional light in and you could then begin your cabinetry directly to the right of it and continue it around to the garage door (not seeing a need to move that) as it currently is set up. A new bank of above-sink windows aligned to the dining room windows on the front of the house plus new cabinetry/counters would do wonders for the space. Do you want to keep the space closed off from dining area or open it up? If wanting to open the wall up, it looks like you could fit a large double-width island where the fridge wall currently stands. Other ideas: would it be possible to carve out some space from the garage to add a walk-in pantry or mudroom space, eg bump the door out from garage to create a landing area and a door to small enclosed room on the other side of kitchen cabinetry wall?