Personally I prefer a layout where the stovetop and cleanup sink are on the permitter and the island functions more for prep. As far as cleanup, my dishes either go into the dishwasher or are fully hand washed and dried and put away. So I never leave dishes sitting out to dry. Now while I'm in the middle of cooking or before cleaning up the kitchen there are usually cutting boards, ingredients, prep bowls, and pots and pans out on the countertop and on the stove. But that's not when I'd be taking a photo of my kitchen either.

Pictures are taken when everything is put away. Doh.

I have a collapsible dish drainer in my sink. I believe I bought it at Lowe’s. It’s not noticeable unless there’s something in it that’s higher than countertop level. Most things go directly into the dishwasher, but the dish drainer is handy for things that are hand washed.

No matter if dishes are on counter or on island, they are visible. If concerned about guests sitting at island amongst dirty dishes during prep, etc, don’t add sink or stove in island.

We move/hide them for pictures. People don’t live in a magazine spread, but who wants to see pictures of a remodeled kitchen with that nights supper sitting out?

This is one of the things I hate about having a sink in the island (which is what “separates” my kitchen from living room). Because life isn’t the cover of a magazine, the island always looks like a mess - and it’s a few feet from the “living room”. This is one of the reasons I’m wanting to move to an older home with a less-open concept.

that's why I only have a prep sink on the island. Never dishes, etc. Literally just use it for rinsing or draining during meal prep, the R/O faucet and filling pot with water. It's completely empty and island is nice and empty also. Love.

Main sink often has dishes in it but can't see as it's deep.

The world of design lives in denial. Why fight it? Just pretend dirty dishes never happen and do paper plates and take out .

Because if they showed REALITY no one would want one!! Who wants to sit at a counter with dirty dishes near or the grease from cooking. ISH ISH IS. Islands should not have either in them.

Best to live in denial then . Better head in the sand then look for solutions. And with all the Google experts here telling you what you should do or not do who am I to argue? Lol

I hear stouffers makes all sorts of freezer to oven dinners.