To be blunt, the island as proposed looks like a diner counter - I envision 6 people sitting in a row reading their newspapers and not interacting. Also, the best location for your sink is between your refrigerator and cooktop rather than having the cooktop between the refrigerator and sink.

You are right about the diner counter! Can't change sink since window is there... Should have asked for help long before now!

That island is far too small, for the prep sink. Since you need a much larger work space, what about something like this?
{{!gwi}}From Kitchen plans

Personally, I think that it would be better with one island than two, like lavender_lass's proposal. Though, I'd really evaluate how much seating on the island that you would really need and use. With lavender_lass's design, it may be better to reduce the amount of seating, by removing the two side seats, so you can increase the cabinetry and thus the amount of storage space you have. We have a couple of cabinets on the kitchen table side of our island that make it convenient for us to grab things like napkins and tablecloths.

Move the pantry entry around the corner to get more space on that leg and put the range there. That gets you a better secondary prep zone as well as a better primary prep zone. The larger single island also gets you some badly needed distance between the island and prep sink. I wish there were more space at the main counter run end by the sink, as that would be an ideal location for a beverage bar with coffee maker and a mini fridge below. But without moving the sink, that's not possible. Unless you add another window on that run to the right and put the cleanup sink there? Hmmmm.

I would be much more inclined to revise the island so that the seating looks like that in hollyspring's or lavenderlass' designs than in gpraceman's design - I just don't like the look or feel (or in practice) of people all lined up at the counter.

My main point on the seating was really to make sure that you only include as much seating as you realistically think that you will need. With a kitchen table close by, you may not need seating for 6. How you choose to configure that seating is up to you.

For our island, the seating was meant more for the social aspect of guests being able to pull up a stool and converse with the cook. So, we really didn't need a lot of seating there.

This post was edited by gpraceman on Mon, Nov 11, 13 at 16:58

Hollysprings- wish I had talked to you from the start- already in framing stage so probably can't do all suggested- but I do like the size island and room for microwave.
Lavender_Lass like your plan as well- maybe as suggested I don't need that many seats?
Thank you all.

You can make changes. I had my outlets moved three times. Can't wait to see your house done. Also a fan of FLW.

Maybe you can still do something like Hollysprings suggested.

How big is the pantry door? If you can resize it you can move the fridge a bit and have the range near the corner on the fridge wall. UTC fridge can be on the island across the main sink.

I like Lavender's island. I'd recommend a 4' aisle in front of the fridge though (it looks a little small in Lavender's sketch). And I'd consider other locations for the prep sink, or no prep sink at all.

Can you put the prep sink under the window? (You can. You're gonna be there a while!) (I didn't mean you are able. I meant you are a canner!) Scoot the stove closer to that (not too close.). Then stick the real sink/DW between fridge and corner, or in the corner. And one of the big single islands above.

Canning is so drippy it would be nice to have the stove near a sink.

Thank you all very much- hubby loves hollysprings plan, but not to move pantry doors.. We think with existing plan, squared island will work well. He couldn't believe you guys actually took the time to help us out!

First off - congratulations on your new home! We will hope to see many progress pictures along the way.

Some comments:
Your kitchen as laid out looks very small for a 3000 square foot house.

Framing is simply nailing boards in place (I'm sure I'm oversimplifying). When we framed and I needed to make adjustments, the boards were ripped out and then nailed again.

I do not see a lot of storage at this point. Where will your plates, silverware, dishes go? I see you mention larger windows.... if you're relying on upper cabinet storage, that will reduce your wall space even more. (Solution - drawers in island).

Consider 30" deep countertops along both runs with any upper cabinets 18" deep. Lower drawers will be deeper and allow for much more storage and you will be able to store larger items in the upper cabinets. Ex:

You're planning a 24" stove? Can you put the stove in the upper right corner to free up a longer cabinet run on the left? No double ovens? (I love mine).

Last - we have a 36" cabinet for our squarish island, which holds a prep sink and 1 trash, 2 recycling bins, and a composter. Love having the recycling close at hand.

Good luck!

Thanks for the sizes... We will def make larger. And thanks for pic- I'm so visual, helps to see ideas! And thanks for the framing advice, first time builder and I need to be more assertive.

Woodland.Mama,

I wanted to add - I know you asked about the kitchen island design and I realized I didn't directly answer your question. I very much like the idea of a larger island and even wonder if you should introduce a peninsula of some sort. (I'm worrying about storage).

What do you need to store and how will you be cooking? Make a list of EVERYTHING (keep the list out and keep adding to it) you use and want to have handy. Mixer, scale, cookbooks, saran wrap, etc., etc.. Then, you will need to decide where to put everything, in the new layout.

Also, tape out the island and proposed countertops/cabinets and walk through the steps you would take to make an omelette. How many steps to the fridge, where is the mixing bowl, fork, where do egg shells go, etc. Try the same exercise with canning. Enough to make you a little crazy but definitely how you end up with a good layout.

Revise your layout and post again (and again!). Best, oldbat2be