If the kitchen function was identical each way, then I'd choose to prep facing people and look to the side for view.

I'd expect plenty of opportunities to enjoy the view, so interacting face-on with family and friends during meal preparation would be my preference. Although I would likely be swayed if the layout worked better one way but not the other.

I'm inclined to say view but it would really depend on which layout provided the best function in terms of the kitchen as a whole.

The actual food preparation should consume your attention during that time. Anything else and you could use a finger. The best views should be enjoyed in a room where you can give them your full attention. That would mean a well used dining area or a living room without a TV.

I like to prep where I can still interact with my family..the kids are often doing homework or filling me in on their day and it is nice to have this time. Most of your time in the kitchen is spent prepping ,so for me, I chose family/friend company over looking outside. We also have a mounted tv in the kitchen and I can watch the news while prepping too. Pretty sure I can prep and talk at the same time without too much risk of life or limb.

I'd rather look at the view when I'm not working. In your choices is there one in which the non-working people can enjoy the view? that's the one to choose.

Thank you all!

I will have an L shape with equal sides and a huge island so as of now, I think the function could be very similar depending on how I set it up (the fun begins then!)

It's interesting to hear the reason some of you would not pick the view because you want to interact with your families. That makes total sense! It made me realize that based on that maybe I should think about facing the view because it's just the two of us so I'd be looking into an empty room. We'll, I'd have my furry children to watch!

Depending how I orient the kitchen table will answer the good question if guests can watch the view too. I'm still trying to figure out if we should have one in our set up. But if we do, I'm thinking about swivel chairs so people could interact with me or if we were both sitting we could spin around and gaze over coffee.

Thank you for taking your time to help me

I'd opt for prepping facing people. I agree with what muskokascp said. If possible though, I'd like to see a view when I was doing dishes b/c that is typically done after the meal when everyone has spread out and gone their own way.

Facing people! And preferably in a way that many people can prep together and face each other sometimes, too.

Well, it would definitely depend on the view. :) Call me anti-social or maybe it's because I live alone and don't do all the entertaining HGTV claims I should, but I'm a sucker for a good view every time.

I like to prep facing people and wash dishes looking at a view.

I was thinking about this with the island cooktop (slight) argument thread. I would rather cook facing people and prep right beside the cooking surface. If I can't do that for some reason, then I'd choose to prep in front of a view.

I don't care where clean up is. I don't even spend 15 minutes a day working there. The largest cleanup task is after dinner. We eat later than most (dinner at 8), so its pretty much always dark and a view doesn't matter.

I like to prep facing the family room. I sometimes watch TV or listen to something if people aren't there and chat with people when they are there. (And I've been doing it for 25 years without losing any fingers. I know to watch the knife when I'm using it.)

I also like to prep next to the rangetop like bmore because it makes it easy to keep an eye on something already cooking and easily add what I'm chopping to the pan.

Singingmicki and Newsouthernbelle,
Sounds like those of you with multiple people in the house want to be facing the living room and the people with small households (like mine) might prefer a view. This gives me something to ponder. Maybe I'll draw out a couple of options for more feedback.

I realize I didn't mention I'm talking about the island and not on a counter at the window.

Linelle,
It's a heck of a view. One day you can come prep with me :)

Cloud swift and Bmorepanic,
Interesting you mention prepping next to the cooktop because i currently prep on the island and things always roll off the cutting board and onto the floor before I make it all the way to the cooktop!

Thanks!

Some people prep all ways - in front of a window, beside the sink, facing people or by the range.

This is from one of my favorite blogs, article linked below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Belgian Pearls blog - first house for sale

Do you have kids? Will they be playing outside or in the living room while you prep mostly, if so? That was how I made the decision : )

I chose to face the little one! (In my case, most prep was evening and they were already inside, so chose to face the den)

Bmorepanic,
I would have so many choices in that kitchen I might not be able to decide and would just sit there like a deer caught in the headlights. Thanks for the link. It was fun looking at those homes.

Hi Beastbaby,
I don't have any kids or grandkids. That would make it such an easy decision. I love open floor plans that have the island looking into the living room because they make me feel like the bartender in the middle of the action. It also seems so orderly to me (everything arranged in a row--fireplace parallel to island etc). But maybe breaking up the look is a good thing. I also think, this room is going to be empty most of the time so maybe I should be facing the view instead of an empty living room. With the walls being mainly windows, I'd of course be able to see outside even if I were facing the living room, it just wouldn't be quite as dramatic.

I'm going to work and some choices over the weekend and I'll post them so you all have a better feel. You've done a great job helping me already!