The current metal door, with proper weather stripping, would be moved to the new mudroom to enter/exit garage. That should meet code so noxious garage fumes can't enter the mudroom and house. The mudroom to kitchen door would be a normal interior door.

Cost is dependent on area and availability, but most could be tackled DIY if you're handy (hire electrical and hvac, diy framing, insulation, maybe diy drywall, paint, flooring.)

You might want to post a drawn to scale sketch of the floorplan, include all measurements. Others could offer more detailed advice and layout info you might not have considered.

Thanks, that’s good to hear. I tend to make things a bit complicated. I think I’ll bump my earlier thread — there’s been lots of input and after contemplating too many designs, I’ve come up with some finalists. Hopefully I’ll be able to post to that. It’s something like “enlarging kitchen into dining area.”

Here are some floor plans. I will follow with photos. We are replacing all cabinets, countertops, appliances (switching to gas stove), and flooring. Cabinets will go to the ceiling.

Before photos.

And here is a non-island option (I don’t think I could do the peninsula so that wall of counters would be straight).