Without any other information I would say possibly either or possibly neither.

Large islands with seating are sometimes problematic if they are too big and in the way.

Parallel double islands are often not very good for the traffic pattern and function of the kitchen, at least one is in the way.

But I have been in kitchens with large islands and seating that worked ok for the owners (I would have hated walking around it every time I needed something from the fridge but it didn't seem to bother them) and I know of a double island kitchen where they are set at right angles to each other and one is really outside the kitchen proper and separates the family room a bit and is used for serving. That's okay.

But if I had a large kitchen I would probably want a functional island with a couple of seats and a regular old fashioned table that could be moved, expanded or reduced in size if necessary. Something with flexibility, not bolted to the floor.

A functional working layout beats the arbitrary insertion of any number island. An island can be an aid to that function. It can also be an impediment. It depends on the design. There are very few double island kitchens that function well.

Why are you asking? Context is key......................

You have the space for a good sized island without seating and a large table with comfortable armchairs. Setup more like a card table with the height at 29"

Double islands need a REALLY big kitchen. If you have the space, and you really want that feature, put the seating on the inside working island, and make the outer island for storage and serving. Putting seating on the outer island just makes it an uncomfortable, expensive version of a dining table. And means you have the added expense of megaphones at every bar stool, if the people seated there want to talk to the cook.

Sounds like there is ample room for a table to me…

Threads like this baffle me. Building a new home is opportunity do something special and unique to meet individual needs and wants, and too often houses are built based upon what others have done in the past under different circumstances and trendy.

@Mark Bischak, Architect, because lots of people don't have any idea of what they really want when it comes to design, what they like is predicated on what other people seem to like or what is currently popular. And it changes as other people's ideas change, it's not independent.

Would you say they are more concerned about their wants, rather than their needs?

I would say they are more concerned about what the popular Instagram influencers/bloggers are posting this month!

I think a lot of people don't really cook a lot of full meals from scratch. For them, function is understandably a lower concern than appearance. And that's smart. Because a lot of their eventual resale market will be similar buyers.

Most people who already cook and/or entertain a lot have a pretty good idea of what basic kitchen structure works well for them. Unless they are making a substantial change in kitchen size.

I think lots of people are concerned with fitting in and some are concerned with being slightly ahead of just fitting in. They are concerned with other people thinking that their kitchen is correct perhaps more than what they might want. They may be concerned that what they want or like is not what they should be wanting or liking.

It would probably help if you posted a plan of the kitchen.

My kitchen is on the larger size. I would not want 2 islands. I also made sure my island wasn’t so big that I would have to lay across it to clean the middle.

I see a social trait being revealed.

Absolute no to double islands -- no in any setting.

Extra-large island -- probably not.

When we're talking about kitchens, more is usually just more -- not more useful or better. When you add on more, more, more, you create a situation where you have to walk more steps and where you have more space for clutter to accumulate.

BUT it does depend upon the space you have available. Please share your potential floor plan.

More is just more money and more walking yourself to death. If you want to spend 200K on a below average quality kitchen, simply because it is triple the size of an average kitchen? Then you have an issue that isn’t solved by spending 500K on a high quality custom kitchen that is triple the average kitchen size.

I just want to know who are the 2 deluded people who voted for 2 islands!

rebunky-

My main reaction to those photos is that it's a sensory overload. Not meaning to be snarky: it's well done for what it is, but too much. My criterion for things like this is: Would I feel comfortable entertaining my friends in a space like this? The answer in this case is "no." I guess my humble Minnesota roots are showing... ;-)

I just look at that kitchen and get hives. At first glance--perfect! People will be far away while I cook, as I prefer! But then I remember what people actually do. They don't like being that far from the action. They are going to get up and crowd around the inner island. Which, in that kitchen, doesn't even have a non-working side to herd them towards. They are just going to be up in the cook's business at all times.

I repeat--if you are going to have 2 islands (and you probably shouldn't), have your seating at the inner island. Because people are going to hang out there anyway.

One way to avoid the problem of guests getting in the way while you are cooking is to have the majority of the cooking done before they get there. The second is to have a kitchen area big enough to cook in and small enough to keep people out.:)

No worries kudzu and mcarroll.

Sorry, I just deleted my comment. I just wanted to show what I liked about the way she did the second island.

I don’t want this to be sidetracted into to a critique of that kitchen, so that is why I deleted my comment. Hope that you all can understand.

Understand, and good call. I shouldn't have directed fire at an uninvolved 3rd party. Since his/her name isn't attached anymore, I'll leave my comment as a general reflection on double islands.

@palimpsest I have had several small kitchens and one extremely tiny kitchen. None of them kept people out. But none of them had islands or other seating in chatting proximity to the cook. My friends who have kitchens with close-by seating manage to keep the people where they need to be. Experience suggests that structure is the key, not size.

Thanks mcarroll. Yeah, that was totally my fault. I have been around here a long time and I should have known I could be opening a can of worms! 😬

There really isn’t a “better“ option, as it should come down to your prep/cooking preferences, what makes sense for day to day functionality for your family and lastly, how you like to entertain. A lot of thought will be needed, based on your personal criteria. See below for two different layouts, as an example.

I like a more congenial/practical hub, but again planning with needs/functionality at the forefront

Where is the OP?

large spaces sometimes more tricky than smaller. just get help w your particular situation. unknown as to reason for "large" area. more than one way to execute a good outcome.

Double Island Kitchen, Double Island · More Info

View of Both Islands · More Info

Interiors · More Info

Contemporary Kitchen Addition · More Info

Kitchen - 2019 Traditional Kitchen with Extra Large Island · More Info

I don't really understand why people want to pay cabinetry prices for an uncomfortable table that they can't move. One island of usable size, if it makes sense. None oversize and definitely not two.

Well I just built a house & I replcated my island from my previous home 15 feet. While it is large, I have a large family & I cook. The island was great for buffets, etc.

I enjoyed the island in my previous home & I cannot wait to use this one.

OP if you're brave enough please post your layout for feedback from the "pros". There are several pics of large island and double islands here that appear functional. You will have to decide what works best for you and your family. Obviously you have a large kitchen that can accommodate such an island(s). It can be as challenging figuring out a functional layout for a large kitchen as it is for a smaller kitchen. Don't let the "houzz pros" sway you from doing what you think is best for your situation even if you are just trying to impress peasants. Please please do a double island and come back and post your amazing pics :)

"OP if you're brave enough please post your layout for feedback from the "pros""

We do not even know if the OP has a kitchen she is designing or if this was some sort of precursor to spam or she is a designer doing homework.

OP should first define "larger" kitchen, because I would bet we all have different size definitions depending on what we each think is a "normal" sized kitchen.