Is the island to sit-and-snack/socialize or to eat meals? If it's more the former, putting a prep sink in the island would help a bunch.

--Janet

Since there is only the two of us, we would be eating a lot of meals there rather than at the large dining table.

For me, it would definitely be too far. Imagine walking across the kitchen with a heavy pot of hot pasta that you needed to drain. I have alot of ideas but they all hinge on whether you can extend your cabinet run at the top along that window.

The large front window will be replaced so I am open to any and all suggestions. While I enjoy the large size it is getting in the way! Moving it down in size or location is an option.

I have added three pictures of my current kitchen to my link if that will help anyone with suggestions.

Here is a link that might be useful: kitchen layout & pics

JMHO - if you're open to changing the window, just make it shorter and put counter/cabinets all along the wall. Then poss have a peninsula coming out to divide the dining room/kitchen and a couple people can eat there. Put your sink by the window and keep the range where it is. Or put a cook top in the peninsula and built in oven where the range is (I was thinking about not having to re-wire for 220)

You could probably leave the fridge on the wall it is and have a larger pantry or built in desk. Maybe move the fridge to the other end, closer to the end of the peninsula?

You've got a lot of space to work with!

Is the north/south (up/down) dimension 144" wall-to-wall? Or, is it top wall to cabinets on the bottom?

Is the 162.5" the measurement for just the wall segment that has cabinets/appliances (bottom/south wall)?

How wide is the window on the left/west wall?

How wide are the doors?

What are the various wall-segment & doorway dimensions? (Wall-segments are walls b/w windows/doors/doorways/corners.)

Are you open to a prep sink in the island?

Do you find sitting at a counter-height surface comfortable enough for meals? Many people do not... (Just wanted to mention it.)

Is the north/south (up/down) dimension 144" wall-to-wall? Yes, drywall to drywall.
Is the 162.5" the measurement for just the wall segment that has cabinets/appliances (bottom/south wall)? Again, drywall to drywall.
How wide is the window on the left/west wall? 32" not counting casing.
How wide are the doors? Front door is 36", back door is 36" but 63.5" including sidelights.
What are the various wall-segment & doorway dimensions? (Wall-segments are walls b/w windows/doors/doorways/corners.) Will have to get back to you on that.
Are you open to a prep sink in the island? No

Walls...Are you willing to consider changing the walls flanking the refrigerator/pantry cabinets? Can they come down altogether? Can they at least be shortened to 24" (they look like they're 36" right now)?

Refrigerator...Your refrigerator is quite large, is that an existing one? Will you be replacing it? Are you willing to consider a counter-depth one?

If staying w/the current one or you've already bought a new one, is it a single door or double door (french door or side-by-side)? If single door, what is the door swing?

Microwave...You potentially have the space, so would you consider changing from an over-the-range MW to a true hood and separate MW? Separate appliances are better in this case...OTR MWs are usually poor vent hoods as well as mediocre MWs. By getting separate appliances, you can get a true hood to vent outside (ideal) that works far better than the OTR type as well as a MW that has more functions and works better than, again, the more commonly used OTR types.

Buehl, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Walls--actually measure 40"! The wall by the fridge has to stay, however, the pantry wall can be shorted to 24".

Refrigerator--will be replaced. Current right door is hampered by wall. May have to look at a single door that opens the opposite direction. Or have a 3" or so filler so the door does not hit the wall.

Microwave--no, does not need to be an OTR one. It could be placed in a pantry, shelf, etc.

Another option I am thinking is leaving the stove in its current location, adding a 30" or so cabinet to the right of it and reducing the size of the large window. I would truly love a gas stove but cannot put one where my drawing shows. (Due to having to run a gas line, venting, etc. We have a two story house.)

Here are some ideas. All three would let you have your gas stove.

In the last two, the window is counter-height.

The pantry is shown with two options...either one would work w/any of the layouts.

Personally, I prefer the peninsula versions b/c the peninsula directs traffic away from the range and Cooking Zone as well as the Prep Zone (counterspace b/w the range and sink).

The peninsula versions also have the seats near the window as well and oriented so visitors can gaze outside if they like. In the island version, visitors have their backs to the window.

Also withe the peninsula versions, you can cook and visit and, if you don't need water, you can also prep on the peninsula and visit.

The peninsula will also be useful for large baking projects (if you have any) b/c of its proximity to the range (and pantry for ingredients).

Visitors can also use the refrigerator & sink w/o getting into the Cooking Zone and w/o too great an impact to the Prep Zone.

In the first two versions (w/corner sinks), you could use the 21" cabinet b/w the sink and DW as tray and/or cutting board storage. The cabinet is needed there to provide enough room for someone to stand at the sink and load the DW.

Notice that I put the MW near the refrigerator as well...this is to allow snackers to use it but still keep it inside the kitchen. Right now, it's mounted on a shelf below the upper cabinet. If you'd rather, you could put a MW drawer in the peninsula...at the end of the peninsula opening toward the sink. This would keep it on the periphery so snackers will not get in the way of those working in the kitchen. I envision the counter next to the refrigerator to be a Snack Center...if you'd like to use it that way.

Yes that last version is what I tried to explain. You people are so good with diagrams and posting them!!

Although I pictured the peninsula farther over toward the dining area - but I didn't know how much room there is.

Holy Cow! Buehl, you have given me a lot to absorb! Thank you so very much! Mountaineergirl, I very much appreciate your help as well. Now to get my head wrapped about these new design ideas......