Do you have enough room to pull it out from the wall and perhaps center it on the counter area? Would help to see the rest of the kitchen.

I think it just looks a bit narrow

this is what it looks like pulled out a bit from the wall. Also I took this pic from a different angle.

We think it looks great, Laxaws. If you pull it out away from the sink area a little bit and add a couple of simple white bar stools ( http://www.atgstores.com/white-bar-stools_1069.html?&option0=optionA=-15|-4~Valu) on the opposite side and give it its own more well-defined space.

I agree with ATG.com (great website, by the way) and I think removing the doors is a great idea, but I would be sure to place some baskets or containers on the shelves in that space. It not only looks good, but they will function similarly to a pull-out shelf, for a fraction of the cost.

Do you live here now, or is this someone else's furniture? It all looks very miniature. Treat yourself to a larger refrigerator, and table and chairs!

HI -- I think it looks great , maybe you could put a bigger cutting board top on it with an overhang on the one side and get a basket for each side space for potatoes /onions etc. and paint the base a bright color like a french blue or red or black. It was gifted to you so you could put a few bucks into it and have a great addition to your kitchen.

If you want to easily change the color, use homemade chalk paint.

or

Perhaps, use it as your entertainment center.

Whoops!

Pop on a bigger counter top, extended enough for seating and then you can use the space where your little table is for more storage.

I agree, remove the doors but I'd move it out. Give yourself 36" from the other counter if you have the room. Black could look great as Aja suggested. Since it's free, see if you can get a piece of IKEA butcher block for the top that will give you an overhand for the little stools suggested above. Make sure you get "counter height" and not bar height. Consider painting the stools legs a nice warm yellow or another colour to compliment your space.

Have Fun!

I like the butcher block top idea, good one! And the black paint idea too....olldbobbi

I agree, the island looks fine, perhaps installing a butcher block type for the countertop.

Wow! I think this is perfect for the size of your space and will greatly add to your tiny kitchen's functionality. Best of all, it's yours, not the landlord's; when you move out you can take it with you. It would be nice to paint it as someone else suggested & add a couple stools. Whether you center it or not should have more to do with your preference after living and cooking in the space a bit. The one thing I would not do is buy a big refrigerator–nice as that may be–as there is clearly not enough space for that.
Oh, and I would keep the doors on, which offers you a little extra storage for stuff you'd rather not have on display. What I really like about it is that it's not a big monothlithic block, which so many islands look like to me.

Have you considered pushing it up against the wall as a continuation of the counter space instead of an island with seating?

You cannot add stool seating unless you change the top - there does not appear to be an overhang, so no place for knees to go. But I wouldn't bother changing the top when it was an item you got for free. Save your money. I think the doors look fine. They appear to be the same Shaker style (and color) as your cabinets. I agree that the piece is much better pulled away from the wall.

I would just paint the wall - it looks like it needs it. And add a simple bamboo shade on the window to soften it.

laxaws1 SAID HER APARTMENT WAS VERY SMALL AND SHE ALREADY HAS A TABLE WITH BLACK CHAIRS.
good grief!

Since the kitchen opens on to the LR/FR, It was my thought to unify the area.

Aja, take a deep breath. Oooommmm......

I like Aja's idea of an entertainment center. This is a free piece and will probably be dragged from place to place and tricked out all different ways over the years, til it falls apart. I like it.

olldbobbi,
Typing is only one of the many things I can't do....

You are fortunate to have friends who can afford to give you furniture. It seems to fit your space very well. I like it pulled away from the wall (less chance of food splattering on the wall). Have you made sure you have 36 inches/1 meter (~39 inches) of space from the built-in?

Instead of going to the expense of buying a whole butcher block top, try using a good sized wood cutting board for a while. It is practical, because even if you do eventually get a butcher block top, a second cutting board is a nice thing to have.

Aja, all I can say is pretty soon you'll be adding "sleep" to the list of things you can't do......hehehehe But it will be worth it!

laxaws, I saw in another Design Dilemma this morning that 42 to 44 inches is a good distance from counter to island. See what you think. You have the advantage of being able to adjust the distance! :)

This is slightly off topic, but I feel the need to add a word of caution/common sense to this discussion... Please be extremely careful with whatever window treatments you select as they will be hanging directly over your range burners. Any kind of flare up/grease fire could easily catch fire to them and send the whole place up in flames. Not trying to scare you, but better to be safe than sorry!

I'd agree with the above comments, the island just leaves the space looking narrow and difficult to navigate. I'd pull it back and open that space a bit. Adding stools for seating could be a good idea as well.

Granite Transformations, I agree. You should have the island far enough from the kitchen cabinets so that a tall person has enough space to bend down to access the lower cabinets without bumping in to the island. Move it back about 1 1/2 ft to 2 1/2 feet and it will help your space be more functional and not look so narrow. There's no way you could cook a Turkey and pull it out of the oven safely with that much space. Here are some good examples of the abount of space you want between the kitchen cabinetry and the island...

you guys all rock!!! so I totally dig the idea of pulling off the doors and painting this thing. anyone have a specific paint color (black I think..) to recommend?

Black or gray are pretty popular with white cabinets right now.

I personally would love to see a splash of color! Bright Red or a Crisp Blue. Maybe even a brilliant Sunflower Yellow. Paint is cheap and easy to change if you decide you don't like it. Be BOLD!

I suggested a distressed black because of your black chairs.

What colors do yo have in your living room?

I recommend home made chalk paint because no sanding/prep is required, it dries fast, and clean up is easy.

what color are you painting the walls? ....that might make a difference to choosing color for the 'island'...

So many choices!

Try painting it a different color than your cabinetry.

i'm painting the walls linen white