Where were you thinking of putting the island?

My idea would be to put an island here

Something similar to this-

Tough to approach this *after* a remodel -- the most obvious way to get more kitchen would have been to poach from the bathroom. But anyway, if you don't need the dining table, then of course you can put an island there, as long as you preserve walkways at either end. It will work great for baking, probably ok for dinner prep and some seating. Pains me that you have no landing next to your range, but maybe you don't cook on top so much. Try to get a trash drawer into your new island so you can get the can out of your working space.

Please post a picture of the stair wall and the wall with 1 window

2 thoughts don't know if either make sense but

1) could you shorten the single window and put counter/cabinetry beneath it?

2) could you do a peninsula out from the stove?

These are the only two pictures I could muster from my phone. I’m at work right now, but it gives you somewhat an idea. It’s an entire wall with that window. (i know, very old home with strange layout lol)

thanks is there a dining room?

No, that room is pretty much the dining room. We have since pushed the table against the wall (underneath the mirror on the stair wall) just for space purposes. It’s just my boyfriend and I… so a formal dining space/ area isn’t needed.

An island is just pretty much what would work for us, because I bake and cook so often. We need storage and more countertop space. But I am open to any and all suggestions from the houzz community!!!

With no need for a formal dining space, I'm shocked that you didn't take your kitchen into the dining area. Is that the only bath on this floor? That could have been part of the reno too. Perhaps you have room for some IKEA storage between the window by the stairs and the opening to the kitchen.

You could consider an island on wheels that you can usually keep where you want an island, but moved over if you need more dining space. Although some of the more expensive ones will still coast as much as a built-in, they can be quite attractive. The bottom would be used for storage of large hard-to-store items.

Another thought is to purchase a portable dishwasher that rests along that wall in the dining room. Mine had a wood top that made it handy for cooking.

The bathroom is actually the only bathroom in the entire house so making that part of the renovation was not possible.

Here's an article about mistakes not to make with an island. Recommendation is about 42" space around sides of an island:

https://www.laurysenkitchens.com/blog/dont-make-kitchen-island-design-mistakes/

Here's a kind of island with open storage on one side.

That's a good spot for the island