Here are some more pictures of island flipped the other way.

Are you sure you have room for an island at all? Looks kind of tight. Do you have a minimum of 42" clear room all sides?

I currently have 42 inches on all side except the side to the left (looking at kitchen). I have 36 inches there. I have 42 inches on the sink side but that side jots out so have 48 inches on the other parts (besides sink).

We are also putting in a wine/coffee bar on the empty wall by kitchen table (wall with painting on it). The kitchen guy suggested the drawing below. I think I like it.

No to either island. They impinge on the traffic paths too much. Bad flow. Especially around the fridge. The long one is just a horrible barrier island between the sink and fridge

No to the wine bar as well. You wouldn’t have enough room between it and your table. You need at least 60” there between the cabinets and table unless you want to shove people out of the way constantly to walk through to the family room.

Youre trying to create an obstacle course for skinny 4th graders. Real people need room to move through the space.

Which island location feels best to you - to me, it's 6 of 1, a half dozen of the other.

I think if you can move your nook table back a bit and have the electrician move your lighting the wine/coffee station would be an asset to your beautiful home.

I am not sure why you want to paint those nice cabinets. Hubby did not move the painting yet huh:):)

Thank you Shirlpp! That painting won’t be moved until room get painted. I don’t even notice it anymore LOL! I am unsure which island I like more. The irregular one is growing on me but maybe it’s too big for the room. The flipped island may make the kitchen feel larger and roomier.

You have 4 different threads going about how to ruin a perfectly nice kitchen and waste 10-20K. You’d be far better off saving that expense and investing it towards a better layout that actually does something to improve the space.

Or just paint the island and call it good.

What is not working in your current layout?

Which goal is more important than the other on this island?

more seating or more storage?

Off topic, but do you know what type of hardwood floor you have? I have similar cabinets and your floor looks great! Thanks

Can you move the entrance to your dining room to the left, move your refrigerator to the end of that cabinet run, island parallel with sink, large prep sink in island opposite the refrigerator.

Gigi, that is exactly what we have discussed but weren’t sure we wanted to add the extra expense, but maybe it would make a huge difference! My fridge is also very small and this way, I could fit a larger fridge.
Thank you :)!

Tiffany, hmmm not sure. They are super worn and we hope to refinish them at the same times as doing this project. Thank you :)!

Express Wholesale, trying to do both but the only added benefit I’m trying to gain from island is adding a microwave drawer so I can remove it from the cabinet on the left of sink. I plan on removing the lower part of that cabinet so I can have more counterspace.

Gigi, actually we discussed moving the opening to the right. We can’t move it to the left. This would involve moving cabinets which may or may not be a huge ordeal.

I have been measuring all morning. So if I took Gigi up on the suggestion and moved fridge to end of the cabinets and moved door way to the left, I would almost have the space. The fridge is 39 inches (with all the molding) and the entire space is 80 inches. The current opening (incl. molding) is 43.5 inches. Do I even have anything to work with here? I would love to get a larger fridge but then I have to move cabinets and that seems like a big project. Does anyone have a creative and rather easy solution to move fridge?

In your fourth picture, where you are standing to take the picture, inset corner of kitchen, could your fridge go there? is that a pantry door? If pantry, then you could move your pantry to the current fridge spot. If outdoor or garage entrance, then not a realistic option.

splind, it's a door opening so fridge can't go there.

There is no easy. Gut it and start over. Or just paint the island and leave the rest alone. All else is a waste of money and effort.

whoops, just noticed your first set of pics, again, so that hallways is not an option. however, the microwave section of the counter and cabinets, cld your fridge swap places with that cabinetry and microwave, then you wouldn't have to change island for microwave space.

Splind, that space is not wide enough for the fridge.

Your kitchen posts remind me of the children’s book, “A Bad Case of the Stripes”. You have been given amazing advice, a lot of positive encouragement and workable solutions, but for some reason, you don’t want to hear it. My advice..... reread every comment from every post, decide on a realistic budget and figure out what is the best use of those funds. Best wishes!

Please photos farther back pass dining table looking into kitchen & area from the end of counter line near doggie bowl.

Btw, I like the way you decorated the family room.

Thanks Artistsharon! See pics.

Maybe I should mention that we plan on selling the house in 5-6 years. As much as I would love to rip everything out and move walls and build additions, it wouldn't make sense financially. In my area, most buyers don't want to maple kitchen so I would do a facelift for resell as well. Trying to make my kitchen as nice and current as possible, without spending tons and tons of money.

I thank everyone for your opinions, I am reading and mulling over everything.

In that case....just enlarging the island like you have it in photo 2, gives it a more custom look. Do THAT! You have a beautiful home. A little tweak is all it needs.

Have you looked on Zillow to see other homes with your floorplan to get ideas for yours? If you plan on selling, see what others are buying may help.

Yes, I look all the time:). All new homes have white kitchens. Most of them seem to have the island the other way but that doesn't seem to be a good option with my kitchen layout. Also, most kitchens seem to have as big islands as possible. Most floor plans like mine, also have the wine/coffee area by the kitchen table. I am going to check out an friend's friend's kitchen. She has a very similar floor plan to my house. She does have the island the other way from mine and also has the wine/coffee area. It will be good to get an idea how that will feel.

Thanks!