Hi, I would appreciate ideas on overhauling our kitchen. I've included the current floor plan. We are 9 months out on starting anything and before I drop $$ will definitely speak to a kitchen professional, just trying to get ideas right now.

About us:

-We are a family with three young children

-host friends for dinner approx 3x per month - eat on the back porch when weather permits

-cook at least 5x per week and currently eat breakfasts, lunches and dinners together at table (kids aren't in school yet)

- one giant kitchen/living/dining just isn't my style

- we are on a slab, moving plumbing away from an exterior wall is expensive (though may be worth it if there is some perfect solution)

-the front of the house faces south and I would prefer not to have any windows on the west wall in kitchen (for a month in spring and month in fall the sun comes through at an awful angle while I am cooking dinner)

- I would love to move the bathroom, but it probably needs to stay where it is

Wishlist:

- ability to talk to kids/guests while I cook without them being in the way

- space for a long dining table - ideally seating 8

- design that allows kids to set table/grab the ketchup without entering work-space

- place for kids to color/do homework

- pantry space (ideally not in really deep cabinets - stuff gets lost)

- natural light

- get rid of awful traffic patterns through kitchen

- appliance garage - I use the instant pot A LOT

- make the bathroom more convenient to the guestroom (it's a wishlist!)

Alternative floorplans I've devised:

Option 1 (above): I'm concerned about the clearance between the fridge and the island. Also, the fridge, dishwasher, and sink right there together seem like it would get crowded. I would put some type of enclosure around the fridge.

Also, I'm concerned the island will look crammed in the space, but I keep going back to the island because I cannot find a way to make the sink and dishwasher work in the peninsula layouts (below) without sticking the sink in the corner or putting the dishwasher in between the sink and stove, which I don't want to do (want to keep the dishes outside the work-zone if at all possible).

Option 4 (above): sink in the corner but drawers on either side of the dw for storage and I like all the windows!

My big hesitation with all of them (as they involve taking down the wall between the kitchen and dining room), is that when you walk in the front door and look to your left, you'll see the kitchen, which is apt to be a mess as much as I try to stay on top of dishes. Would it be odd if we closed off that door and the dining room was entered through the living room, instead?

Also, any good ideas for the breakfast room? I am leaning toward making it a home-office/craft space for the kids.

I appreciate any input/feedback.