I designed a kitchen last year with a 10' X 5' island that is all one height. My client said she loves it. Her kids sit and do their home work while she is cooking and there is plenty of space for everyone. We designed the seating on 2 sides with lots of storage and a microwave within the island. My client originally wanted a 2 height island but she is so happy she went with one big one.

We have a large counter height and practically live at it. It's great for homework, serving guests, doing paperwork, etc. We have a more bar height space on another part of our kitchen and my plants just sit on it!

Counter height is best for many different uses .... i.e. eating table, buffet table, homework area, etc. It also makes the kitchen look more open and less cluttered.

If you have the space to keep it counter height it helps tie the adjoining spaces together. A counter height island with seating needs a few more inches for knee space, where as a raised bar will usually be used when there is a pinch for space. But then it creates a barrier between you & your guests.

Counter height

HI -- Better to have one height to 36 inch counter height . Bar height is best for bars .

Counter height always!

Personally for a kitchen island I like the counter height with raised bar back for sitting. Otherwise all counter height. Bar height is really only good in the wetbar area. I think you'd find it impractical for your kitchen.

Raised up bars are very dated and really create wasted counter space.