I dont think kids should have a problem with counter seating and generally adapt fine to whatever they have to work with. Old people are a different story.

Agree with the others. The kids will be tall enough before you know it and they adapt. Additionally a 12" overhang is not deep enough for counter height seating. To be comfortable you need a minimum of 15". If you have nothing behind the stools you can easily lose the cu

ouple of inches of clearance behind the stools

Get height adjustable stools and be done. Kids love stool seating just make sure they have a low back that goes under the overhang because the swivel will be in constant play

If the pocket doors retract into a solid wall, you can still use the wall space. I think tall cabinetry can be affixed to the floor, using floor cleats, and screwed to the header above the door void, for stability. (Check with your contractor on that point, since floor cleats are not usually used when a cabinet is also attached to the wall studs, due to possible, eventual, settling of the floor joists, which could weaken the cabinet joinery.)

If you omit the 16" cabinets on the island, and use a 15" seating overhang instead, you can use tall 16"-18" deep cabinets against the pocket door wall, and still have 52"-54" of walking space--accounting for cabinet doors. Cabinets could go to the ceiling, adding extra storage for seasonal items, and providing area on the backs to attach to the door frame header.

I hope I'm explaining this succinctly, and if any contractors or cabinet makers disagree--I defer to the experts.

ETA, I agree with previous posters about one-level island top, and kids growing before you realize it!

12" makes a great pantry depth so you don't lose things. But if you put storage on the doors you can add depth for more storage. Review the framing for the pocket doors. If they don't go all the way to the ceiling there will be solid framing above a certain point.

can you take a picture of the wall where the pocket doors will be while it is at the framing stage (before wall material is installed? Plus actual measurements of framing. Just for future reference in case cabinets do go in later.

What material are you using for the counter? If it is quartz - many companies make oversize slabs now a days....

I'd get shallower cabinets b/f I skimped on overhang.

If you and your SO are short and your children will also be short, then 12" may be OK. However, if you think your children will above average in height (5'6" for girls/women; 5'10" for boys/men), then I would seriously reconsider your overhang make-do decision.

Put in

1.5" counter overhang in the front of the island

+ 24"D cabinets

+ 12"D cabinets

+ 1" thick door on the 12"D cabinets

+ 15" overhang

===============

53.5" -- perfect!

.

We have 15" and while it's fine for me at 5'10", my DD at 6'0" finds it a bit shallow but usable. My 6'5" DH rarely sits there and my 6'7" DS never sits there -- they both find it much too shallow. I wish, for their sakes, we had done 18"!

We are doing a lower area on our island because my hubby does not want to sit perched on a stool. Look at photos online. It is done, and in some very nice homes too. Sometimes it is done in wood to make it more like a table.

I have many proper tables and desks and my children choose to do their homework on the floor or couch. Your kids are flexible and will fit any space you provide for them (or they will just find another). Design for the old people, not kids. :)

Kids are like cats.

My SIL has a one level island that is about 6 inches below standard height. She did it because she thought it would be more comfortable to work at, and I do like it. (We are both about 5 ft 2 in. Not sure how it would be for someone taller.)

My suggestion would be to make it all the same level. I have that same exact size, all at 36" high, with cabinets and drawers on the kitchen side, 15" deep cabinets on the other side with a 12" overhang. I love it! I have counter stools with backs that swivel. All ages of my grandchildren have used it for coloring, homework, eating, etc. Those stools also serve as a higher chair to pull a kid up to the dining table not far away. When they were much younger, I strapped them into a rubber booster type chair, on top of the stool, and they ate right at the counter without needing a regular highchair. Use both sides of the island for serving depending on the size of the crowd. And, the overhang side doesn't have exterior hardware. I have the push-in contraption inside the cabinet and you push and it opens! Love it!!