IMO image 003 is most workable if you feel a need for seating at the island. The image with 2 islands - are you eliminating the dining space?
Not asked, but an observation, what is going on with all the sinks appliances/sink in the corners?

Your proposed designs are not improvements. Make the octagon a circle. But you really should try to get the cooktop off the island.

.Really agree with emilyam819 to get the cooktop off the island. Great suggestion!

@valinta we would not eliminate the dining space with 2 islands. It was just proposed by the company as an alternative.

No idea about the kitchen layout and why the previous owner chose the way it is, but we are not going to move it as we have found to really like the flow and workspace.

You have no dimensions of anything. Who did these aerial view plans ?! Very difficult to advise without a floor plan, flat, on paper of the kitchen with cabinets and appliances. MIGHT be possible to bump it to a circle, which gives you more space for stools.

I'd be wary, though, of replacing the tops in a kitchen that does appear in need of a bit of updating. Draw the kitchen, add add dimension, entries etc.

The situation in these old layouts is not uncommon. The SIZE, clearances and dimensions will determine what you can do.

Personally.....................I'd be looking for an update that got the cook OFF the island. If at all possible

Sometimes, there really isn't a PERFECT FOR A NOW DATED HOUSE FOOTPRINT.

Realize you don't want a remodel.......but you have it appears, not the best locale, for anything.

Interior Design Work · More Info

Interior Design Work · More Info

@emilyam819 thank you! That was kind of my gut opinion as well. Unfortunately, there really isn’t another location currently to move the cooktop. Perhaps down the road if we fully renovate the kitchen with new cabinets, etc.

If you can’t move the cooktop then the safer solution is option 2. No one is sitting while the heat is on.

You could use a different granite/quartz/quartzite/marble for the sitting island that would be a statement. And the great functional quartz for the rest

PS: I like the fireplace.

If you are considering a remodel 'down the road', I'd suggest waiting until you can improve the layout before investing in new counters.

...we have found to really like the flow and workspace. Most posters have suggested moving the cooktop off the island because of the poor flow (and safety issue). If you could add a prep sink to the island, in place of the cooktop, you could improve the flow considerably. Compare the plan on the left to your current prep path. (My program doesn't work well on drawing diagonals, so while I tried to use m/l the same space as the two-island plan uses, it might be off.)

Of the two options you proposed, I like the first one better.