What are you hoping to accomplish -- a seating/eating area, or visual space filler?

Seating / eating area. I have noticed when we have company over we all hover around the island and was hoping to somehow add seating

Is this your only eating and seating area in your home? How many are in your household?

I don’t like a bar where you face the living room and your back is to whomever is cooking.

That was a con I had as well about a breakfast bar option. It is not, we have a full dining room.

when we moved in I originally wanted to extend the island for seating but it would block the slider side that opens

Could you change the sliding door to one that opens from the right side instead of the left? That would free up space for the left half of the door.

Did you also originally plan on removing the wall to the right of the sink? That wall is a physical separator and I don't think just extending the island would work aesthetically. I also don't think you have room behind the island for an island with seating - even if the island is only seating on the extended part. But, without a full layout (with measurements) I can't be sure one way or the other.

The bench idea might work (bench against the pony wall only), but I would go with a shallow rectangular table, not round for better functionality and to take up less space. I wouldn't go with a table any deeper than 36" - less would be better. I assume this will not be for regular meals, just for sitting around for a snack or other short-term use. Stick with the Dining Room for full meals.

@Nichole ….. yes, people do tend hover around an island or, in my case, kitchen. Once, when hosting a large dinner party ( about 20 or so guests ) I actually enclosed my kitchen with yellow ”caution” or ”crime scene” tape to keep people out!

IMO a to scale floor plan is amust since the pics distort that space evey time but real measurements tell the story

For a similar space in my home, we love a dark green wicker bistro table and chairs with a glass top. They have a softer feel and look to them than metal bistro tables, and people (especially older people) can sit there out of the way but still be part of the conversation.

Is the space beyond the former eating are an addition put on by previous owners?

That area was meant for a kitchen table. Get a nice one. Anything else will look odd.

The placeholder table you have seems to fit. Does it block the door? My suggestion is you look at counter height tables. They act as island seating, dining and even counter space when needed. You can find them in small sizes.

I also like the bistro set idea. Pushed up against the wall, out of the way, and cozy.

I agree. Kitchen table. Don't put anything up against the slider (so neither idea). It will look crammed.

What’s going on in the living room that would prevent you from putting appetizers in the living room and saying to your guests, “Let’s go sit down somewhere comfortable.”

If the table is only for perching for a few minutes, then a counter-height table may work. However, if you also envision using it for meals, I would stick with a table-height table. In fact, counter-height tables are not as popular as they once were. Everyone I know who followed the counter- & bar-height table fad years ago have reverted back to a table-height table. They're not that comfortable long-term.

It looks like your doors open to another indoor room - or is that a covered porch? Just trying to figure out traffic flow and the use of that additional space.

The sliders open to an enclosed 3-season porch!

I am leaning towards counter-height against the wall to connect to the living room more. I agree the area is just too narrow for a small dining table. If the half wall wasn’t there it’d be fine.

Now to move the light …

@Nichole lately I've been impressed with the power of floor and table lamps to make a space feel roomy if you have low ceilings like I do. Mine are between 7'4" and 8'. We bought some for our upstairs renovation and are using them downstairs for extra lighting and are just blown away. The pros on this are likely laughing at me right now.

Thanks for explaining that the space beyond the doors is a three-season enclosed space.

I’d be tempted to put a sleek round pedestal dining table there, with 3 comfy but modern chairs that can be pushed all the way under - put the best snacks on the table and see if folks will migrate over

i have a living room that NO one will go in during a party - finally put the bar in there and it helps a little

Despite the push-back, counter height chairs are comfortable if they have rungs to rest the feet.