Forgot to add: I rarely bake, so I'm just going to go with a range (probably a red bertazzoni--they're sooo pretty!) rather than wall ovens. The microwave will be an advantium, so that can act as a second oven if needed.

I'm not sure about trash placement--any thoughts?

Trash...that small cabinet to the left of the sink? Maybe, move the sink & DW to the right and make the one to the left of the sink at least 15" wide....but, what's to the right of the range? A trash pullout may conflict w/it...

How wide is the aisle b/w the island and table? What about the stools & chairs when someone is sitting in them?

I'll try to look more closely at the layout tomorrow...I need to go to bed (I'm on the east coast, so it's LATE!)

Assuming people sitting at both the bar and the chairs, it's 29" at the smallest point (the chairs in the drawing are also quite big). I could move the whole bar in a few inches if necessary to make it wider.

I was planning on drawers to both the left and right of the range, and a lazy suzan in the corner.

It looks very nice and I really like it. I would make sure the cabinet to the left of the sink is large enough for the trash.

How do you envision using the prep sink? You said you'll prep between the main sink and stove, so I was just wondering, not questioning its existence or anything.

If it were me, I might want to swap the fridge and micro, but am not sure, and would love to hear your thoughts about having it where it is now. Is it in an upper with counter underneath?

With no uppers or large drawers near your dishwasher, where do you plan to store dishes?

Thanks for the input so far. I had an idea last night I'd like to run by everyone: I'm thinking that since the kitchen backs up to the garage, I could have a hidden door in the backsplash that would lead to a little ramp/shoot thing that would just go straight to the main garbage can. Possibly a second one for recycling. It could be in my main prep area, and not be in the way of anything. Genius or crazy?

As for the microwave, I was thinking of putting it on top of a base cabinet but under the counter, if that makes sense. It would be the same hight as one sitting on a counter, which I prefer, but would still allow a bit of landing room on top. I would bring the top cabs down to sit on the top of the counter, leaving 9-10" of visible counter on top.

I mostly want the prep sink so my husband can stay out of my way while I'm cooking. If he wants to wash his hands or rinse something, he can do it there. It will also give me a good prep area for when we have guests and I want to be able to talk to them while cooking. I think we'll probably use it in a lot of different ways--right now we have a lot of traffic jams at the kitchen sink.

I'll think about the MW fridge switch. I think I had it there just because I use the fridge more than the mw, and wanted it closer to the work triangle.

As for dishes, I was thinking I would keep plates in drawers that will be in the island. Glasses will go in the upper cab near the fridge, which is kind of far away from the dishwasher, but I think I like the plan overall enough to live with that. I don't really want the DW on the other side of the sink because I think it will be more likely to get in my way there.

Again, thanks for the input!

You might need trash at island?

I think your prep sink is in the wrong place - maybe move two thirds of the way towards the range?

First reason, the best landing space for a sxs or french door is immediately behind you - er, where the sink is?

Secondly, it makes a great place to land other ingredients from the pantry and for grocery bags with items going to the ref and pantry.

Thirdly, it looks too far away from the range to be the most useful. For a triangle head, the "work triangle" with a prep sink is ref, prep sink, range. Even with the prep sink where it is, I'd bet on you prepping on the island.

Where will you store dishes?

If it was me, I might be tempted to change island from a step-in to a walk-thru butler pantry style with a pocket door.

Raen, I lived in an apartment complex where there were trash shoots to throw trash directly into the big dumpster. Though yours are unlikely to be that big, you will have trouble keeping those clean.

Unless, you are planning to throw trash carefully saved in the plastic -- then you will need some trash storage in the kitchen anyway.

I think that idea of having trash ramps is a great idea, but on a practical front, maintenance is a major issue. Plus, each time you open those chutes, you will smell the trash (due to the pieces stuck on the way).

Just a thought!

Jade, I'm guessing you mean the pantry, not the island. I have thought about that, but I'm not sure it would be worth the loss of shelf space and wall space on the other side (where we plan to hang coats, etc). I can see a benefit with bringing in groceries, but other than that, I'm not sure. Originally I wanted to just incorporate pantry space into the mudroom, but DH didn't want it to look messy, and knowing me it would be.

bmorepanic, I've gone back and forth with the prep sink. That side of the island is definitely the obvious landing spot for groceries, but I really don't want the sink in the middle of the island because I want the large, uninterrupted work space, even if I have to walk a couple more steps with groceries. (I'd really rather not have anything in the island, but I want two sinks and that's the obvious place to put one.) I do know that the way I work in the kitchen, I really will be using the main sink as prep most of the time. I've worked in several kitchens, and that's just the way I'm most comfortable.

Homey bird, thanks for addressing the trash issue. I agree the shoot might be problematic. I wonder if I would need a shoot at all? Maybe I could make the counters 3" deeper than the cabinets (bringing the cabs forward--this would also make a standard fridge fit better) and have a space in the garage that the trash can slides into, so there would just be a door dropping right over the can, with no shoot. I'd still have to clean the edge of the opening, but I don't think that would be too bad. What do you think?

Raen, I am not sure if I can visualize your trash arrangement clearly; however it would require an opening between the kitchen and the garage, and if I understand correctly, an opening of the size of a trash can.

I think you should think of the insulation aspects of doing this. This would be going directly into the garage, basically from an insulated space into a non-insulated space...

I am wondering, must you have a way to push trash directly outside? Is the conventional option of taking the trash out in kitchen garbage bags no option at all? If it is, then you might possibly have a.compost underneath the prep island, b.recyclables in the mudroom..

Maybe you could do something similar between your kitchen and mudroom instead -- so it is out of direct sight of the kitchen yet accessible.

Oops, I meant between garage and mudroom. (my bad). That way, the "leak" in insulation can be limited by closing the door between the kitchen/MR.

If you are ready to relocate your pantry, then it is possible to move it to kitchen/MR. But that option pretty much calls for an overhaul of the current plan...

BTW, I love your current pantry...would hate to lose it!

Sorry, I don't think I described the trash thing very well. Here's a drawing of what a cross-section of the wall in between the kit and garage would look like:
{{!gwi}}
The pass-through would only be about 1'x1'. There will definitely also be a garbage can in the mudroom, but this could be the convenient one for food prep. I think I could insulate the door adequately enough to keep much air exchange from happening.

This looks good, especially since insulation is not your worry. I think it can work given that your prep surface would be alongside the wall.

The only suggestion from me would be to make sure there is a good wall between the trash can and the cab (I am sure you meant to show it, just pointing out!)

Yeah, the wall will be there--just a quick drawing to clarify what I was talking about. I'm not married to the idea, I just think it might be a good way to reduce the amount of trash that has to be taken out and increase cab. space at the same time.