I posted a couple of years back (original post) - took the advice not to do anything drastic. Alas, our dishwasher leaked, ruined hardwood and a few cabinets, and remediation folks broke another cabinet and the countertop. At this point, worth just updating.

I'd say the main questions remained: (1) should we go with a wider island or a narrow one with sittings at the end only - I know both are tight but there is not a lot of traffic in the space (2) where to put MW (my spouse wants it next to the fridge on top), (3) is it worth moving the stove by ~10-15'' closer to the doorway increasing the angle workspace and doing ~20'' cabinet vs 36'' at the end

We are ok with a small fridge - the plan has Ikea's integrated panel-ready fridge, maybe wine fridge next to it. We can't place a large (even CD) fridge next to the slider as it would block too much light and in PNW light is crucial

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3 (least feasible, not pictured)

Move appliances around. Fridge (and maybe MW/oven) to the short wall, sink, DW, stove top to the outside wall + island.

Space: The kitchen is roughly 11’8’’ by 12; one side would be 8’8’’ as it has a pass-through to the dining and pantry entrance. Another side is open to a family room (currently used as a playroom with jungle gym and sofa for adults), powder room, and leads to a mudroom and a garage. You can walk around the first floor in a circle (photo in the comment)

Family: Two adults, two young kids (elementary school age + toddler). No plans to sell with the current market but we may end up moving/ renting out at some point. Hence, it's still not a forever home but a who-knows-for-how-long home so I want to make it right.

Usage: We rarely eat in the dining room. When people are in the kitchen or living, dining is not used and vise versa (so not a lot of traffic in the kitchen/ past the potential island). Kids eat in the kitchen. We love to cook & it’s not well suited for 2 people cooking, even for one it’s not ideal layout. We are in PNW so weather permitting, we spend a lot of time on the deck where people constantly walk through the slider.

Issues/Desires:

1. Fridge placement on a way, does not flow well + fridge is s large, that we keep wasting food. Want to go with a small fridge and keep this one in the mudroom.
2. More prep space/ countertop in particular next to sink & range
3. More seating - at least 3 seats (vs 2) or best 4; currently slider opens into seating
4. Better MW placement (no MW vent)
5. More drawers/ storage
6. Keep walk-in pantry
7. No wall removals or major changes to electrical and water/appliance placements (except fridge)
8. We may remove the soffit partially/fully depending what's inside

PS. As the fridge is small and may not work for other families (we grew up in Europe and go to grocery stores often during the week), I want to buy an extra panel (maybe even a cabinet) which then can be swapped with the end cabinet for resale so we get a traditional American-sized fridge next to the window.

My spouse did not like double L and other ideas (like build a wall next to fridge) may work but I can't figure enough seating