I don't understand the island - bar stools and a banquet. Need to seethe whole layout of the room. I think it could definitely be more functional. Also - ditch the over the oven MW -- that makes your kitchen look more low end. Leave the vent hood and find another spot for the MW

Not enough prep space on both sides of stove. Also, if someone was cleaning up dishes while another is trying to cook, you'll be on top of each other.

This needs help. What's the full floorplan with dimensions?

Get a counter depth fridge I do no understand the bar area at all so until that is explained I can’t comment on other placements but IMO there is no reason for a sink to have to be under a window if it could be at an island which IMO is what should be where you have this odd bar set up. From what i see you have no where near enough storage and an island could take care of that

I agree that bar area is quite strange - sitting is from the side of the kitchen?and also your back are turned to the entrance which is not good. It seems to me that nice rectangular island, large as possible, would solve needed storage space, from other side should be sitting at the island for couple persons (it seems that there is enough room for large table next to stairs) . Or, it could have higher L shaped sitting counter top (but opposite direction) and lower working area.The range has a good position because you have a wall to fix a hood to it, a fridge at this place would close visually the space. Good suggestion to have a panel door on the dishwasher. Basically, the main problem as it seems to me is bar area.

The only storage you lose is the useless under the seat storage and IMO an island would just function better than waht you have. What is the area with the sliding door , could this not be a DR

Who is the unlucky person (s) having to be stuck squeezing in and out of that awkward banquette?

The diff between your kitchen and the inspiration is the inspiration is much bigger and the island seating faces the kitchen not away from it.

Get a deck box for deck cushions.

And over range mw are useless for adequate venting and a safety hazard located above the stove. Your whole plan is useless and dysfunctional. Post this on the kitchen forums with exact dimensions and more info. Some people trade form over function but yours lacks both. It needs some serious help

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath

Post here

The banquette/bar/island thing is a bad idea. If you got a normal island, you could have space for the sink and dishwasher, plus storage or seating all along the hall side. Then you could push a table longways against the end or simply put the table and chairs where they are supposed to be.

Or you could reduce the slider to a single and have a nice peninsula with seating.

In the island. The sink and dishwasher should go in the island or peninsula. The island could be about where the banquette/bar is, but be a wider rectangle. Put the range in front of the window, counters and cab for microwave or full wall pull out, where the stove is on your drawing now.

Have you considered moving the window or the sliding doors?

Karen, the banquette and island is not a good idea. Can't you just put a big island there and have the chairs face the sink? You could make that island incorporate your storage issues too. It just feels disjointed the way it is.

I did a similar layout kitchen years ago (sorry no photos). If you are willing to forgo the pantry cabinet, you can have the microwave built in cabinet on the wall and the dishwasher can move down there as well. This way you solve all 3 problems, including more counter space.

to where the pantry is . which will be under the microwave

Put a single regular door with glass instead of the slider.

If you use a single door, you could have cabs and counters continue down the entire dining wall with a big island in the middle.