As far as I can see you do not have space for an island and if you are doing new floors there I hope you are running them everywhere as it looks like carpet in the next room. If you post a floor plan you will get some ideas but that fridge has got to be changed to a counter depth for sure.

Congratulations on the new home.

It looks like there is lot of space in the family room. I'd have a designer look at the entire space, instead of just the kitchen footprint.

When I redesign one room for a client, I always ask to see the entire house, so that all possibilities are explored.

Just for an example: There is the possibility of the kitchen being expanded all the way to the railing. Without more photos, I can't be sure. This would allow for a large island and seating bar along what is now the railing. Then, the dining table could be placed in the family room. Flooring would need to be changed.

We also don't know what other adjacent rooms look like or what your needs are.

Good advice above.

Based on the pictures there isn't any room for an island. Not all kitchens function better with them and yours actually has a good layout right now. I agree with swapping the fridge for a counter depth one (it will make it feel more open, trust us). Since you're getting new cabinets I would take that opportunity to relocate the microwave and get a vent hood. It just makes a kitchen look higher end and you'll love it.

That looks similar to our kitchen (also just bought the house) and we are having the same debate. We have a formal dining room on the other side of the kitchen so I'm fine with getting rid of the second table as long as we have seating at the island. Here's what we are currently considering for the layout and a picture I found that looks similar.

It is hard to fit an island into a U shaped kitchen in most homes and in such a kitchen the island often disrupts traffic flow between fridge, sink and range. You could do an L shaped kitchen with an island. You might lose storage, but you might not need it, or you might be able to do some narrow pantry cabinets or closet along the wall the fridge is now - but no fridge or standard lower cabinets on that side.

Thank you everyone for your comments ! There is a separate formal dining room so I am fine with adding an island and eliminating the peninsula and using the island as our kitchen table. That is what we currently do in our current home which is a more modern open concept space. I do agree that the peninsula works well but I really love my current large island and feel like it will offer more storage . I also want to do a larger oven if I can. I don’t think the island would work without getting rid of the peninsula. I also agree that we should live there for awhile to get a feel for what would work for us. But I am really excited to plan the new design !

Kim I love the picture of your proposed design ! That could maybe work for us .

Our kitchen area is 10x 12 and the dining area is 15 x 8 so I think we can put a nice sized island if we get rid of the peninsula

Congratulations on your new home!!

Kitchen islands -as opposed to peninsulas- tend to give a more welcoming and open feel. To fit an island in this space, it may have to be sized down so much as to look out of scale with the rest of the space. Perhaps consider the option of keeping the peninsula and building a bench-seat dining table off of it. This will soften the wall of the backside of the peninsula and create a welcoming feel without compromising space and storage.

Best of luck with your project!

Thank you ! I also thought about this idea ! Love it !

Although an island is nice and modern you simply do not have the space.

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It doesn't seem like you have the space for an island, however you have been give lots of sounds advice it seems. Live in your new home and see how you feel for a little bit. Then, later consult a designer and see if it is possible to expand into other areas if that is your wish.

I wanted an island but it didn't fit. We instead put in a a peninsula with seating. We love it.

Getting rid of the peninsula will not make the space between the left and right walls bigger. You do not have room for an island.

Aunthelma do you have a pic of your kitchen ?

Yes. Check back in on Monday. I'm at the wrong computer.

It is never too soon to start planning........and in my mind re-doing the kitchen before you move in is preferable.......also ....with adjacent spaces available and a complete remodel planned ......it is really smart to get professional help .......your job can be to assemble a list of the things that are important to you functionally and perhaps provide pictures from Houzz photos that really appeal to you aesthetically........lastly......the one feature I appreciate more than any other is an easy access...as large as possible ....pantry

One more thought as to the flooring...if you are going to do a dark floor....it is worth the effort to select a wood color that has nice grain/color variations......this will avoid every speck showing on the dark background.......

Thanks ritasj! Good advice !

If you have a 12' space, you have 2' on each side for cabinets. You only have 8' (96") for 42" of space between the island and the sink and 42-48" of space between the island and the refrigerator which is a minimum of 84". So you have enough space for a 12" island.

Leave the peninsula or steal space from another room. What you want cannot conflict with the limitations of your space.

Before you do anything, think about a kitchen designer for a consultation to help you out. Well worth the money and will help you not make any costly mistakes.

Read these before you move forward....

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first-dsvw-vd~4306041

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/things-you-added-or-removed-that-you-love-regret-in-your-kitchen-renov-dsvw-vd~4273188?n=74

Plan, plan, plan and then plan some more. Have almost all of your decisions, except paint color, planned in advance. Know what cabinet, flooring, countertops, sink, faucet, door pulls, etc. planned before you even consult a contractor. That way, he/she can give you a good estimate.

Do not be one of the many people that start without planning and then are desperate for help correcting one of the many mistakes they have made.

It is truly hard to put an island into an L-shape kitchen. One more thought to the floor color, if you want dark wood, your floor color may darken the whole kitchen making it dull.

Oppein - did you mean U shaped kitchen? I see islands in L shaped frequently - that is how my kitchen is, but in U shaped, islands seem to block traffic.

Also, I like that kitchen - reminds me of mine:)

Pictures of my peninsula as promised. It gives us a ton of extra counter space.

Love it auntthelma ! Thanks for sharing !

auntthelma, it looks very nice!

This is the before picture. The whole kitchen on one wall. There is a door right next to the range. If you look a the after pictures, only the refrigerator is in the same spot.

Where this half wall is became the peninsula.

If you got rid of peninsula maybe a narrow island could work. Can you put in a seating nook/area against that area with railing? Bench area against railing etc.