What is a "floating island"?

Sorry...free standing? I just want an island that isn't connected (like what i currently have).

I’m not following, are you able to draw your plan on paper?

If the floor plan shown above is what you have now, you have a peninsula.

What you want is simply an island.

The picture is of your neighbor's home? I am glad you will keep your island void of appliances/sink! I have never seen a bench at a bar counter before. Because you already have openings in your wall I am wondering if that is a load bearing wall. That will determine if the rest can come down. It appears you will keep the island where the peninsula is now? I don't understand how that improves your work space. I think if the wall comes down most would put the island as a barrier between the kitchen and the living space.

A kitchen that narrow can only have 36" island Maybe 7 1/2' long. No seating on the side that's in the traffic pathway. 1 seat on the end, if you go 6' in length. That's it. You get more seating and more storage with the peninsula.

Even with the walls removed? I will extend the kitchen space to take over the dining area which would allow for more storage. (Like my neighbour's space, qe have the exact same layout and space).

Do you think there is room for a small dining table behind sofa (I can also shift sofa area to give more space behind it ). Or is that a weird layout?

The math doesn't lie.

If you tag Debbi Washburn and Buehl, you'll get all the expert hep you need to come up with a design that will work for you.

I think the red wallis the main laodberaing wall so that cannot come out without huge $$$$$ and maybe even posts. I do not know how your neighbor did that safely.Show pics of your space if you want help. IMO a galley kitchen would be a much better choice in the space

my island is 27” x 49”. Plain surface, no seating since it is near the large table, lots of storage. Easily access refrigerator, stove/oven, dishwasher from each of the three sides. We have had up to 5-6 people preparing food and cleanup in this space with no problems. I also have a lot of counter space on the 3 sides of U- shape kitchen.

If you’re wanting a dining area consider a layout similar to this. The table and chairs could be banquette seating and oval table to give more space to kitchen area.

Emily, this is very helpful, thank you so much! I am still debating whether to go this route or use the entire space for kitchen as my neighbour did. I am prepared to pay the cost of removing the load bearing wall to open up the space to have an island. The dining table will have to go or be downsized as you suggested depending on which route I take.

If it’s in the budget to remove the walls, I’d go for it as that will really change the feel of the space. I wouldn’t lose the table if you like to have friends or family over for a meal.

I am not understanding how much room is alloted in your neighbor's house for the living room area?

You probably spend more time in the lving room than in the kitchen, unless you have another space to get get together.

Yes, their house was staged for selling so there wasn't even room for a TV. I wouldn't change my living area much regardless of what change I make to the kitchen.

The math just doesn't math. If you keep the current width of 9.5 feet for the kitchen, your cabinets on the long wall will take up 26" of depth. Your need minimum of 42" from the cabinets to the island and another 48" deep for the island if you want an overhang for seating. That totals 116". You have 264" on your 22" wall. Subtract 116" from that and it only leaves 148", which equates to 12 feet and change. That's not enough room for a dining table and a living room. Emily's layout is a much better option. You could keep the current footprint of the L shape and still keep enough space for dining table where the double window is at the end. You'd still be able to add a smaller scale island with an overhang for seating. You could move the refrigerator to the end of the sink run where the double oven is and add a small cabinet pantry where the refrigerator is now. Or you could keep the fridge where it is now and add a pantry where your neighbors have the double oven.