I have a kitchen exactly like this one. The DW opens behind me and I have often tripped over it not realizing that the door drops open unexpectedly. I am getting used to looking down before I turn to reach the stove.

I've attached a draft of a galley kitchen with a small island. The fridge is across the island between the door and the window.

I don't know if you'll be able to fit an island, even if you take the wall down. You certainly will not be able to fit an island with seating along the back.

How wide is the hallway behind the wall?

How thick is the wall? (4.5" is standard, but it could be thicker if it has plumbing, HVAC, etc., inside it.

What are the real dimensions of the space?

If you post a full-measured layout of the space, we can see what will/will not fit.

From the "New to Kitchens? Read Me First!" thread:

By "fully-measured", we mean a layout with the widths of each wall/window/door/doorway and the distances between each wall/window/door/doorway labeled. See a sample below. If something cannot be moved or changed, label it precisely on your layout (see post in sample) and tell us why it cannot be moved/changed -- we may have some ideas for you.

In your full-floor picture above, label the front entry and family entry. The family entry is usually a garage or side entry, but it might not be. It's helpful to know which door you use to bring in groceries.

Regardless of how you draw it up (by hand, computer, etc.), please be sure all measurements are labeled. (Note: Computer generated layouts often lack key measurements and, sometimes, measure to/from things like the middle of a wall or the middle of a window. Neither are useful. Measure each item and the distances between each item.)

Other questions...

• Tell us about you and your family and how you plan to use your Kitchen. All-adults? Empty Nesters? Children (now or in the future)?
• What appliances (& their sizes) do you plan to have?
• Where are you flexible? Can walls/windows/doors/doorways change (move, change size, add, delete)?
• Do you have a basement under the Kitchen or are you on a slab?

Regarding an island in front of the bedroom, you could move the door to the other end of the wall to get some privacy. Personally, I would not want my Bedroom to open directly into the Kitchen, but if the door was on the opposite end, I think it might be OK, especially if it's a seldom-used bedroom.

If a total remodel is possible I would look into switching the dining room with the kitchen.

I would not open a wall to the hallway, and have your bedroom entrances, right off the kitchen. You could possibly remove the short wall at the end to the dining room. Your kitchen isnt right for an island, sorry.

Lots of money and hire a kitchen designer, or buy a different house.

Do you need the bedroom? If not, you could eliminate the bedroom and create a much larger Kitchen & Dining space. Your Dining Room is very narrow -- at least that wall isn't a full width so you probably expand into the Living Room when needed.