Swap the fridge and range so that the sink in a larger rectangle island isn't facing the hall wall. The island can now be parallel to the longer axis, with the sink in it.

Do a large rectangle island facing the dinging room. One level with seating. It will flow better & seem much more open. If you do feel the current island I would still only do one level.

One level please. That way you have an uninterrupted expanse of counter.

We will definitely keep it one-level. Thanks all! I guess I need to mock it up in the design software to see the best orientation/size of the island.

I just realized that your kitchen/living/dining is set up very similar to my house. Your island would be a large L in my kitchen & I have a square island in the middle of my kitchen as well.

Mark_rachel do you have any pictures you could share?? Pretty please?

Here's what I'd do. Island would be 8'3" long x 42" wide. Put a prep sink on the island for preparing meals and do a separate single bowl cleanup sink.