I’m building a house and need help with Kitchen Layout. Besides the walls, I have flexibility on layout. I do have two entrances from hallways, on the west and the south, that I would like to keep. And then the Living Room is on the east. We do not have children and in our mid 50s, so just the two of us in the kitchen. We do cook together, and we cook a lot. Very few guests/entertaining.

The island looks over the breakfast nook and then to the back yard. I realize a lot of floor plans have the kitchen looking into the Living Room, but I wanted the orientation to the back yard. But would like your thoughts.

I plan to have seating at the island, but not necessary. I will do 36” induction cooktop with a slim, telescoping exhaust fan under a cabinet. I have this now. I do not like the look of an exhaust hood. I planned double wall ovens but might consider putting them under a counter to avoid looking at them. I also want to hide the microwave. I like clean lines. There isn’t a pantry closet, so will be using cabinet space, which is what I'm used to.

Currently, the sink is centered in the island with the cooktop behind. I love the symmetry. I could place the cooktop in the island and sink on back wall. But other threads say the cooking area is the least used space, and problems with downdraft exhaust. I will have induction so maybe this not quite an issue. I love the idea of cooking while looking at the back yard. And not having a faucet sticking up in the island.

I also thought about making the island a pure prep space, with prep sink to one side, and then put a clean-up sink and dishwasher on the west wall with the current refrig and oven. I could put the cooktop on that wall too. But, in both of these scenarios, not sure how it will look from the living room.

All is open for new layout. Thanks so much!