I would want a prep sink larger than you show, which would take up a lot of the end and not leave much prep space, and I'm not wild about it being to that side of the kitchen and so close to the other sink. That takes away some of its value IMO.

I think I'd want the prep sink closer to the fridge and situated so that it's in the path between the fridge and sink...maybe across from the pantry so it's handy to the fridge, stove, and eating area at the end of the island. Also, that leaves generous work areas to either side of it.

I'm not 100% on that location, but it's the best I can think of and hope someone else weighs in.

Thanks rhome410. The prep sink has been hard for me to place properly - how's this?

{{!gwi}}

Please ignore random lines on island - not sure what I did to cause them so not sure how to get rid of them :)

That seems pretty good to me. I often favor corner locations, so it can be used from 2 sides, but with your narrower island, I just didn't see it working that well.

I like it except as Rhome pointed out, the location & size of the prep sink.

How about this?

It gives you 18" of workspace b/w the range & sink and still leaves you a large expanse on the other side of the sink for projects as well as enough room so you won't splash people sitting at the island.

And speaking of seats at the island...

I don't think you have enough room for 3 seats on that end. You need 24" for the person on the end + 12" for each side person's legs. So, you need a 48" wide area there...you could probably get away w/45" or maybe even 42", but 36" won't be enough. 36" leaves only 6" of leg room for the side seats. You could fit 2 people...one on the end & one on one of the sides.

Oops! I should have refreshed before posting! (It takes a bit of time to create the layout, create & edit the pic, and then upload...on top of the time to write the response!)

Thank you Buehl! You and rhome410 are right - the sink looks more useful there. Also like your arrangement of the shallow cabs split between two sides. I was planning them on one side or the other.

We don't use the island seats for eating - just to perch to read the mail or for guests while we finish dinner. I know there isn't much room there but I haven't come up with a layout that makes more sense. Room for two is okay. Wish we had room for 4' wide island but I'm committed to working within the existing footprint. I'm just glad we're able to continue with our remodel plans - its been in the 'someday' stage for 9 years!

Thanks for your help!

You could eliminate the shallow cabinet on the refrigerator side of the island (or at least part of it) to allow more room for the seat on that side.

But I was envisioning a shallow cabinet w/prep tools like measuring cups, bowls, etc. there. If you take 9" away it would help the seating situation and it would still leave you with 21" for tools. As to prep utensils, probably either in the drawer above the trash pullout...which I highly recommend, btw...or in the a drawer next to the pantry. Why do a so strongly recommend the trash pullout? B/c I don't have one in the prep area...it's in the cleanup area next to the main sink across a 6' aisle...and it's one of my biggest regrets! [I'm frantically trying to come up w/a solution!]

As to the utensil drawer...I probably wouldn't put my utensils over a trash bin, even w/a board separating the two areas...it just doesn't seem sanitary. Our junk drawer is above our trash bins.

buehl, I had the same thought about the shallow cabinet - cups and bowls and such, or additional food storage, though I think the pantry will be sufficient. I put a priority on storage over island seating.

I took note of the trash pullout you drew in earlier and appreciate your emphasizing it again. Right now we keep our trash under the sink and recycling under the cooktop (we have a downdraft and there isn't much room left). I was hoping to have room under the prep sink but with a garbage disposal in an 18" cabinet it won't happen. Planning to get a single sink with a corner drain for the main cleanup sink so that I can put the trash under the sink there...but now having those nasty second thoughts....ugh!

Its so great to have this forum. Everyone else looks at me like I'm crazy when I ask, "do you think the prep sink should go here or there?". It so good to know others understand my obsession!

Thank you!