Having more than two people sit in a straight line makes for an awkward conversation dynamic, with either the person in the middle being constantly talked over, or the person on the end being ignored. A slight curve to the island helps a lot.

I totally agree with you about the curve, but unfortunately I don't have the option since my island slab is only 38 x 108. With just a straight line, I'll have about 13 inches of overhang on the long side.

Also, for those of you with a bunch of kids, do you really use lots of bar seats at once, or is it more likely just a couple kids at a time? If you tell me that all 5 of my kids will want to be sitting there at once, that could really push me to putting in more seating area on the other side.

Ok, Sweeby's post has really got me thinking. Could I indeed do a slight curve to my island and then keep all the seating on one side like I prefer?

I have 13 inches of overhang to play with, and the plan right now is for about 98 inch long island counter. I'm doing a slight eased edge on my countertop. I do have an arched opening above my range, so it would tie in to my design....

My barstools are the saddle type, and so they are really not that deep. How much countertop overhang would I lose on the ends if I did a curve on that long of an island?

Thanks!

Room for a 9' long island? That's great! That will give you a wonderful place to do those science projects and other fun activities that are a part of homeschooling!

Keep in mind, though, that 13" of overhang is actually 2" less than recommended...so if you plan to use the entire length for seating you don't want to go any shallower on the ends. But, if you will have an extra foot on each end, then you might be able to get away w/a slight curve. However, if you plan 4 seats on an 8' (or even 9') side, you probably don't want it any shallower than the 13" you have now. [Assuming you have counter-height seating instead of bar-height. Bar height is probably not a good idea w/young children plus, if it's part of a multi-level island, it breaks up the wonderful expanse of workspace your island will have.]

With only a 13-inch overhang, I'm assuming you don't have a main/cleanup sink or cooktop/range in the island.

Honestly, if you have the room for the overhang for an extra seat on the end, I'd do it! You don't have to use it every day, but when you need it you'll be grateful you have it.

How old are your kids and will you feed them meals there? If they're young and if they might all sit there for bfast, lunch, or the occasional casual dinner, that's when they'll want to be there all at once. Otherwise, usually in smaller groupings. I think you might appreciate the option, and like Sweeby pointed out, for conversation, building a puzzle, playing a board game, etc., it might be preferable for one to be on the end while 1 or 2 others are on the long side.

Doing so won't crowd an aisle or block access to anything?

My kids are 11, 9, 6, 3, and 1. I can't really imagine having a full meal at the island, more like snacks and conversations with the cook. No homeschool - I haven't graduated to 'supermom' status like some here. :)

Island will be counter height. Adding the extra foot would not really cut into any other area - it's open to a huge dining area.

So now I'm looking at 3 different options -

Doing 3-4 seats along a straight 8 foot side. OR

Doing 5 seats around a 9 foot straight island (adding one on the short side), OR

Doing an 8 foot island but adding an eyebrow curve to the long side to facilitate conversation.

I'm bummed now. I was getting excited about adding a curve, but it sounds like adding the long curve might cut into the 13 inch overhang too much? My barstools are 9 inches deep each.

Do any of you have a smaller overhang (like 8-9 inches)at the edge of your curved island, and how does it function for seating?

Thanks for the responses!

Oops! Sorry, for some reason I thought you had said you were homeschooling...I must have mixed that topic up w/someone else!

If you add the curve, you could still fit 3 on the long side even w/the shallower ends. You could probably keep a "spare" stool somewhere to pull up in an emergency...but it wouldn't be very comfortable seating for anyone teen or adult sized at the shallow ends.

I'm thinking you should plan for the future here! I only have two kids but when their friends are here they all crowd around and eat at the island (and my kids are older than yours - one's in college). Lots of nieces and nephews are here all the time and they gather around the island, not the kitchen table. The island I have now (soon to be replaced with a bigger one, seating on three sides I hope!) is a bit rounded at the end.. sort of like a half of a stop sign - so maybe more corners and less rounded..?? Anyway, it isn't too bad that way if someone wants to pull up an extra stool as it's not a 'hard' corner.

If it doesn't crowd your kitchen, I would utilize as much room as possible. I think you'd be sorry if the island were too small but never sorry that it was too big (unless it's too big for the kitchen anyway). Just my $.02

I would absolutely add seating to the end. Function over form. Five barstools in a row is going to make conversation awkward, and having a 1-2" bow in the island isn't going to make a lot of difference. I'd bet that it will be one of the most used seats in the house.

I think (and maybe wrong) that sweeby meant that having seating that is not all in the same row is akward for conversation, but to rectify that, you can easily have L shaped seating (on the backside and o one end as you previously planned). I was just in a bar last night and tha was great for conversation.

Mind you, your kids will always talk over each other and shout out if they need to be heard amongst themselves (I'm from a large family) so I wouldn't stress over that LOL

And if you're actually in Alaska using alaskan contractors...god help you girl. That's all I can say from experience!

We have 5 kids, too - good number! Similar in age to yours - ours range from 10 to just under a year. Anyway, we considered more island seating but ended up with just 3 seats and it has been fine. Usually we sit at the island for breakfast (usually eaten in shifts) or for small projects but there's never been a reason for everyone to be there at once.

It sounds like you have the room, so it wouldn't hurt your design, but if it's not going to work with your counter, then maybe the extra seat isn't worth it?