I don't like sitting at an island. I'm short so the typical bar stool is uncomfortable. When given the choice, I always sit at a table. I think tables are so much more useful. You can use it for prep, kids can use it for homework or projects, crafts, etc. Can you do all those things at island seating?

All depends on how much space you have between your island and your table. For back-to-back seating you need quite a bit. We don't have enough space between our island and chairs, but we like sitting at the island so we make it work. We got nice cushioned stools with backs, though, so sitting there is really comfortable - probably more so than our dining chairs. We also don't have a kitchen table, just an informal dining area, so we like the two options. If you have a separate dining room, the island seating may be too much.

Would your island seating be along a kitchen aisle such that kitchen cabinetry and/or appliances/sink are behind the chairs? If so, make sure the aisle is plenty wide- I think at least 48” is recommended. Does your family push their chairs in when getting up? If not, you may be doing it to clear the path. I had such a setup, with a narrower aisle, in my previous kitchen. We never sat there and eventually removed the counter stools. The kitchen table was nearby and that’s where we sat.

I love a nice kitchen table. Eating at an island feels utilitarian and cold to me.

We typically don't eat at our island. It's the place we gather while I'm prepping food (and in the days before babies, where people would gather for parties). It's a nice place for everyone to feel together. If we didn't have seating there, I would be spending most of my time prepping and cooking alone. Which is fine if that's what you prefer. But I like that my family can face me while I'm working in the kitchen.

I think it totally depends on how you live as a family and entertain. We love our island seating for parties and it's where my teens and friends have breakfast when over, but we always sit at the kitchen table for dinner. It's great for small gatherings when just a few friends are over and you are prepping food and drinks as you all feel like part of the conversation. For bigger events we push the seating under the island or away so that anyone can stand around, as they always seem to at parties. Flexibility and different options for seating without overcrowding is something that I love too, I hope that helps.

My island is suitable for seating. We haven't purchased stools for it and aren't in any rush. We would not eat there.

Also the table tennis table is really close to it right now....

thank you! I think we will stick with our island without seating. The kitchen table is directly behind and the stove faces the family room so no one is ever lonely while cooking. :) I think with our boys we would have lots of stools tipping over as well.

It really all depends. How much room do you have. How cluttered the space will look. And how do you entertain? If you are an ‘interactive cook’ and like to cook with people there or have things ‘in process’ with guests there then definitely do the island seats if they fit well. If you like to have a buffet out and ready to go when guests arrive then by all means skip the seats. It’s not one size fits all at all.

Now I'm wondering if I had stools, would that keep people out of the kitchen proper? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Why don't you post the plan so we can better comment.

You need to decide how you want to use your space. If you want people facing you while you're prepping (if that's how you will use your island) but out of your way, get stools. If you'd rather not have people bugging you but still have them nearby, don't get stools. If people tend to bug you while you're in the kitchen anyway and you'd rather have them out of the kitchen, get stools. All of this totally depends on whether you have the space for it in the first place. The distance between our island counter and table is around 4'. Not enough space for back-to-back seating, but we like it so we make it work. We don't typically have people sitting in both spots except for big parties anyway. If you have less than that, it won't fit.