gemini... can you please post your layout as it will stand. Don't be too disappointed. we too were going to do a major extension and after thinking about the money and what's most important to us in life; we decided to live within the existing footprint. Can any interior walls be removed? That's what we did.... moved a BUNCH of interior walls, plumbing, and the electrical box. Still much cheaper then an extension and gave me a space I love.

I had about 10 inches on each side of my cooktop (pre-remodel)-- totally NOT workable. But, with that susan, you have one "bad side" and one "good side" -- definitely more workable, and perhaps the best trade-off for the situation depending on the rest of the room. Is the larger space on your dominant side? (If you're right-handed, is your extra space to your right as you cook, or will you be trying to use that 9 inch counter more because it's the more convenient direction to reach?)

I had 9" to the left of my range pre-remodel. It might work for you but it depends on the rest of your layout. I didn't mind it because I am right-handed and there was 52" to the right. The 9" held a spice carousel and spoon rest.

I've been toying with the "9 inches on one side... and tons of space on another" issue as well... (in layout theories)

I'm right handed ... and my 9 inches would end up on the right side. I was thinking this was ok cuz I work left to right... cutting board etc. on the left of the cooktop. are you saying that right handed should have their extra space on the right?

I had a rental house kitchen for a year or more that had a very small counter to the left, and plenty of space to the right of the range. Worked fine for me as I am right handed. Even now with space to left and right, I almost never use the left space for anything at all.

Where is your sink? I am unfortunately going to end up with 10" to the right of my range(right handed), but I'm okay with it because my sink is to the left with 3'+ inbetween. Not ideal, but works with my work pattern.

I am another righty that likes the large space to the left for prepping. I can then stir anything on the stove to my right with my right hand.... It may be because my first house had that and this one did prior to reno. Our new kitchen will have equal space exactly on each side, so time will tell.

We extended our master by 4 feet (approx 56 sq feet) and it is making a huge difference. It did not sound like much and I panicked when the foundation for it went in, but now that the room is in and the sheetrock on, I can appreciate how much bigger it is.
If it is a matter of bragging, you can easily skip it, but if it makes the kitchen more functional and much bigger, it would be a factor in resale. I'd do it if you think you will enjoy it and can reasonably afford it. It would stink if you didn't and then regretted it later.

Thanks everyone.

Remodelfla - you did make me feel better! I've been wanting to create the perfect kitchen and I think i just need to come to terms with compromise and try to solve for as many of the things in my current kitchen that irritate me. I can't remove any walls - it's an open concept ranch so not many to remove! There's actually one wall I can extend 8 - 12" to get some additional cabinets.

The 9" would be on the left side and I am right handed.

Dianlo - the "addition" would result in a very functional kitchen and about 4 additional cabinets and storage. I just don't like it there. I'm still struggling whether to bite the bullet but it feels wasteful.

I will try to scan a couple layouts and hope you all can vote for me. I am determined to make this kitchen remodel happen this spring. I just don't want to think about it anymore!

Sounds like maximizing your space is a good choice, Gemini. If it feels like waste... (Just BTW, though, have you explored cantilevering an extra 30" out off the existing house?)

My first thought also was that 9" on one side, good work area on the other would work fine for me. Reading the responses, though, made me wonder which way the work flows and if that would make any difference. I just feel that would be a lot more important to me than handedness. I work a standard fridge to prep (and directly to stove), to stove, to serving, to cleanup.

Hey, I just watched that 1949 video Pinch Me posted, and it says most women (men's preference not mentioned) prefer to work from right to left. If your flow naturally arrived to the right of the stove, and you were "most," that'd be yet another argument for an acceptable 9" to the left.