Can you post a floorplan?

I'd do regular heighth if at all possible, but consider how/when you eat at the table. We eat all meals at the table, and have kids. With all the up-down (ketchup, napkins, another spoons, whatever), I'd be really annoyed, as a 5'1'' person, needing to "jump" in and out of my chair multiple times for multiple meals. I make it sound like we are never prepared- we do our best NOT to need to get up- but we do need to frequently enough it would really annoy me.

We eat a lot of meals at the counter in our house and its counter height. I'd hate it if it was table height attached to the counter as it would make me feel like I was a kid again where you can't see as well, for example when at a movie theatre. The counter height is nice for interacting with others in the kitchen too. We are taller than previous poster, but my kid has no issues either. We have our dining table nearby though

One important thing to keep in mind: counter stools are generally smaller than table chairs and that's visible in your inspiration photos. You need more width and more depth (leg room) for chairs than you do stools.

I compromised, and made the island worktable height (for me-- 34.25" high). We have a bench (built by my BIL), which is a comfortable height for seating, with a couple of swing-out seats attached to table legs on the short sides. That height allows adults to keep their feet on the floor, which adds to the comfort since the bench and stools don't have backs. If you do a lot of baking--kneading and rolling dough, you might consider a lower island--I love mine.

Stan Z is correct--#9 of the NKBA Kitchen and Design rules addresses seating space requirements.

I've sat at both and like lyfia said, I didn't like having to "look up" at the counter and the person standing behind it.

And as Stan said, you'd need at least 18" if not more of counter depth for table height chairs. For counter height you need 15" minimum.

For maximum utilization of the island, it needs to be all one height. I personally dislike the lowered eating area it looks like a sushi bar.

I also think it would be strange to have a nook table and table height seating at the island. Seems like overkill to have both.

Counter height

We haven't seen your plan. While the pictures are pretty, remember sitting in a long row isn't conducive to conversation. It's best to have chairs at a 90 degree on the ends. For some reason, many of our poster's have a fantasy of all of their children lined up in a row having peaceful, uninterrupted conversation while mom cooks on the other side. We haven't seen your plan, don't make this mistake of lining up a long row of chairs. I don't think you will do this given you have another seating area planned.

I was just going to post what homechef said. Also have seating on the ends of the island instead of just one side all in a row. Easier to converse than just sitting in one long row.

homechef, the OP indicated that the family will sit at the counter and watch TV, so all in a row might work best for them. I respect folks who are honest about how they actually live.

I was also set on having a table height area in our kitchen when we redid our space. Our original island was all table height and it was really wonderful. The kids did hang out there (on all sides so you could have a conversation), you could sit comfortably with your feet on the floor, guests came and sat, kids could prep with me because the height was right for them, etc.

With the new island, I wanted more storage (we lost a wall so had less space in our already small kitchen). We tried a variety of configurations trying to do both heights, but nothing seemed to work (like someone said above, having a lower side seemed to block those sitting there from conversation and gave that feeling of "the little kids table".

Because we took out the wall, we now have the dining room table about 6 feet from the island and that is where everyone hangs out. We also have seating for two at the island, but most prefer to sit at the table. It is close enough to make people feel like they are in the conversation space of the cook.

Do you have room for a separate table?

So, you will have a table in the nook with island seating right next to it? Do you also have a Dining Room?

I wonder if there is a better option...

Maybe rearrange the nook/kitchen/living room so the tv is visible from the nook.

Or, make the island a "T" with lower seating on the stem...so you can not only see the tv, but also have better seating height and seating on both sides of the stem.

Personally, I don't like sitting at counter height for meals - only for snacks and some prep work.

Older family members may also feel that way. My parents and in-laws have never liked our peninsula seating...too high even at counter height. In general, counter height seating is not comfortable/safe for young children and older adults.

I vote for counter height as well. Besides the points that have already been mentioned, a counter height island is better for just leaning on with a glass of wine. Our peninsulas was the regular gathering place for everyone in our kitchen. 1 person would often sit. 2 might sit or stand, more than 2 use it as a place to rest beer or wine or coffee. We've removed the peninsula now to get ready for our remodel. Nobody uses the table when we entertain (which we did a lot over the holidays.) They stand at the counter or lean on the range(!!)

Counter height. Your knees will thank you later when you need to stand up

from a sitting position.

I must not have checked "send me an email when posts are made" so I didn't even check until today. D'oh. Anway, our family is short (Husband 5'7, I'm 5'0) if that makes any difference. There are many good points people have thought of that I haven't.

The first is a plan for a t-shaped island, 2 heights.

The second is a one big island, counter height.

You can see the living room would be behind the eating area. A bit awkward to watch TV I suppose. The nook is to the right of the kitchen near the arched doorway. It will be our "formal" dining room. We have a dining room off the kitchen, but I know we'll never use it, so we're making it into our workout room. I don't really expect to be eating as a nice little family, the kids are busy teens and we eat at different times. When we do eat together, we'll sit at the dining room table.

I like the big one piece island best. I'm even thinking of hanging a flat screen TV on the wall with a swing out arm in the nook by the arched door. I know. We're pathetic, but I must be honest about our life-style. This will also be pretty cool for when I'm cooking. I think I'm leaning toward the counter height. I'd like to fit 4 stool/chairs there. Not sure if there will be enough room. Maybe I can make the counter hang over a bit on the side closest to the nook.

Thanks for answering!

I like the big one island best, too. But, you need to rethink the refrigerator, stove placement. You've got some traffic conflict issues. You need provide the group with a 2-D drawing of the space with all doors, windows, adjacent rooms noted and dimensions. Not a big deal, but you can do better without a lot of trouble.

I'd move the fridge to end of that run, next to the doorway. Easier access for everyone, and a large appliance interrupting a long run of counter makes both sides less usable. And visually unappealing in my book. Also, imagine your teenagers standing behind you with the doors open while you're at the sink.

ETA: I just can't not think sushi bar when I see that kind of dropped seating at an island

I hadn't even thought of being slammed by the fridge while I'm at the sink. It's like you have already met my fourteen-year-old son. I'll need to find an updated floor plan and post it. My husband says there is five feet between the big island, but the pictures aren't really to scale. Also, the fridge will be recessed in the wall and be even with the cabinets. I'm going to make sure that's enough room, but I'll probably move it anyway. I have decided to go with one big island because everyone is right, it looks better and we will have a dining room table only a few feet away.

Thanks!

Counter height will serve you much better in the long run.

We are going counter height like all suggested, and I'm now moving the fridge.