I think I'd drop either the left or right side to be flush w sink counter area. that would give you an L shape for the higher level. Makes it a little more interesting ..you get a bit more of flush surface w sink and still the visual break for the most part. The picture seems like it's trying w great effort for the symmetry of both sides high, and sink centered... drop one of the sides..it will be better in function and give you the benefit you feel w the rise.

Will you use the island for seating? My primary issue with the raised bar seating is that it's awfully uncomfortable. Sitting at a counter-height island is bad enough, those extra few inches to bar height are intolerable and make me feel like a child in a high chair.

If you like the look of one level I say go with that. The inspiration pic happens to be a nice take on a two tier. But for myself I’d go one level.

I prefer one level but I have seen some new kitchens with the idea to hide the mess.

It is very tempting to go two levels. Look at the beauties below.

Contemporary Custom Kitchen · More Info

Blue and White Farmhouse · More Info

Scarsdale NY kitchen · More Info

The Woodshop of Avon · More Info

My current island is bi-level and my next island will be even more bi-level with a bar.

I like them, and I love all the outlets along the back edge between the levels.

I understand you-I'd drive myself and others crazy, constantly cleaning that island. Would be no peace in the household.

Even though in terms of seating-one level is obviously much more comfortable.

But one can choose whether to sit or not at the island..one cannot choose not to use the sink.

So my choice would be bi-level. And 7-10 years-is too long time to worry about resale. who knows maybe islands will stop being popular altogether, or they'll invent archipelags, or who knows..do whatever works for how you live.

confession: I never had an island in my life. I just don't like when stuff going on in the kitchen is clearly seen from living spaces. Highly prefer some sort of visual separation

That one looks pretty nice. I'd like to see pullouts in those end columns flanking the sink. I'm a splashy person at the sink and those sitting at the counter would probably appreciate the bit of protection the change in elevation affords. I like the open feeling of one level though. I would be more likely to have Corian graded to drain back into the sink if I did one level. Don't know how many stones could be adapted to do that for you.

Personally prefer one level (unless, perhaps, you're specifically trying to create "privacy" -- block view to sink from another space).

If it is the electrical outlets countertop level rather than on the side of the island that you need, perhaps creating a tower at one end would be worth considering.

I like the concept of a two-level island, when it serves to hide kitchen mess -- but this island's "levels" seem to be too much.

If you are really OCD, you won't have any dirty dishes so I don't see the problem.

I am now old enough or I move often enough that I have been an adult that entertains and cooks with a bilevel, a flat with a partial wall near the sink (so like an island but not) and large flat.

I tore out the bilevel pretty quickly (with in a year) so you can see my bias. That one wasn't open to the living room but was open to a keeping room and it was the primary entertainment space.

We have also had 2 sinks and 1. Currently 1. When we had 2 sinks, a drying rack lives in one. Dirty dishes are almost never on the counter and certainly not if someone was coming over. Dishes go into the dishwasher. If they are dirty pots, they get cleaned right after dinner. Many times, they are stored in the oven (not a hot one) until cleaned to keep them out of view. We have no dish rack. We do have a pad that lives under the sink for the rare time we want to dry on the island.

So the worst case scenario is that there are some dirty dishes in the sink (never with guests - I mean that would be crazy....). As someone mentioned, nothing about a 2 level island keeps people from seeing into a sink. But, really, clean your sink out before guests come over!

The advantage of 2 level is place for outlets and switches. Completely not worth it for the uncomfortable seating, more difficult clean up, less flexibility for workspace, increased visual clutter, and being hopelessly out of style in 2021.

I feel like noting that raised bars do not need to be uncomfortable. I agree that I’ve sat in bar seats that were very uncomfortable and not sturdy. Buying proper bar seats with backs is the key. This is not the place to go cheap.

I’m on team one level- more usable counter space and to me one counter is intrinsically less busy. As Hal notes a 6” difference in height isn’t going to hide anything.

I can't thank you ALL enough for taking the time to provide feedback, thoughts, & suggestions! You all da real MVP's. :)

@Boxerpal - thank you for taking the time to send some extra photos! I really like #s 2 (blue/white farmhouse) & 4 (Scarsdale, NY) especially.

@c9pilot - sounds like you know exactly what you want! I hope you will share pictures of your new island! And agreed on comfortable chairs.

@aprilneverends - we may be twins separated at birth! Literally LOL'ed at "would be no peace in the household."

@decoenthusiaste - we *are* having pull out cabinets on both ends! so yay!

@Hal Braswell Consulting - great points! Plus, I'm genuinely always thankful for contrarians!! (especially respectful ones). As an aside, my oldest son is our family contrarian and we love the unique viewpoints he brings to almost every discussion. :) We do entertain, but not a lot. We are empty nesters now, and our grown kids don't even live in the same state so we normally travel to them ... except for Christmas. Just the two of us about 350 days a year, but hubby and I are on opposite ends of the neat freak scale if you get my drift. ;)

@David Cary - thank you for your input! I'd love to have 2 sinks. And I don't think I'm clinically OCD but I can't seem to sit still when there is a mess, especially in the main living areas of the home.

You have all given me much to consider and I will be re-examining this feature to be SURE it's what we want (and I"m ok with flat surface too, so either way I'm sure it will work out).

Another opinion- yay! 😀 I don't prefer a high bar counter because my knees hurt and I can't stretch out my legs. I'm also height challenged so could I reach across both counters to clear off the upper one? Nope. But, if I was a guest and I was sitting on a sofa in an open concept, the high counter would block everything on any counter all the way across including the stove area if it's behind the sink. I'd lean toward what is convenient for me living in it and cleaning, not what's best for guests. What are the odds in resale you'll have a buyer that loves your countertop choice anyways? Most people rip them out because it's not their personal style.

Agree that bar height can be uncomfortable for some people (my wife) despite the best chairs.

We had bi-level and recently remodeled to one level. Honestly, I feel like it opened up the kitchen. I love the counter height chairs, and I have so much more counter space. That being said, you need to follow your gut and do what YOU will truly love. Definitely visit a showroom with the one level, get a feel for the style and see if it is something that you would like.

I have a bi-level and plan to make it one level - only because I don't have a good span of counter space for prep, etc. If you have good counter space in the other areas of the kitchen, I say go for the two-level option.

I'm all for a one level counter, except I wouldn't be thrilled about the dish rack being more "out there". having a giant sink with the dish rack nestled inside would look fine. as for soap, put it in a pretty bottle or get a soap dispenser installed.

personally, I'd need a huuuuuge sink in order to be ok with the dish rack being inside it though.

Deep deep sinks are a great place to hide dirty dishes. I love mine.