In the running for ugliest kitchen...should make for a dramatic before/after! The doorway on the right goes to the dining area.

Prefer the first with the most cabinet storage, not really easy to add in a few years when you miss it.

Like the first one ... did not see any sitting displayed as it was in the second one. Storage and workflow more pratical in the first one

In this situation, I would concentrate on consolidating storage into full height pantries that surround the fridge on the wall, consolidate working surfaces on the back wall and create a working counter in a two-level island that effectively increases counter area in a small footprint. Accessing from another computer (and am under other deadlines) so can't provide a drawing - sorry!

I get why the first one can't accommodate an island, but what about a peninsula?

In the first one, I'd just add a small kitchen cart to act as an island that can be moved as necessary to allow traffic flow. Depending on your cabinets it may be possible to have one made that matches and so would look quite a lot like an island rather than an added piece.

That gives you extra storage and work surface, plus it can be handy to be able to move some of your work surface around depending on what you are doing.

What is that 40" space on the lower portion of the drawings, and why isn't it incorporated into the kitchen? I love galley kitchens so I'm drawn to #2. Would move the "island" closer to the sliding door, bench against the island and table and chairs moved to that side of the space? Then the wall where you show the bench could be all built-in cabinets for storage.

Is there any reason it cannot be U-shaped like decoenthusiaste's first picture? Then you get the 'island' or breakfast bar in this case, and you also get the additional storage.

Hi Tamasita. I think you can combine the best of the two designs. You obviously are looking for storage and seating for your family (thus, the banquette). I love that idea. So here is how you can have it all:
1. In design number one, add top cabinets to the wall above the range.
2. Center your range on the wall and add top cabinets and a hood.
3. Create a small peninsula near the sink. Although you'll lose 24" of the deep bottom cabinet, you'll gain a great layout. An extra 18 to 24" will give you additional seating for 2, or one nice homework spot. It does not have to be as deep as the rest of the bottom cabinets. If you use a 12-13 inch cabinet in the peninsula, you may store cookbooks, vases, napkins.... in it). You open the peninsula doors from the dining side to create more accessible space. Cover with 24" counter top to make it seem same size as the rest of the bottom cabinets to give it a seamless look.
4. Add stools with no backs, so they may be pushed under the peninsula.
5. Add a valance or cabinet above the window to create a more seamless look.
6. Consider mouldings (ogees or straight) to give your kitchen a polished look.
Good luck with your renovation. In the end, you'll figure out what works best for you and your family.

Do we have room for the peninsula? (decoenthusiaste U-shape)
Garden Oaks Accommodations: I agree about the storage around the frig and I think it would look better too.
The door in the bottom left of the plan is a coat closet that we considered turning into a pantry or a butlers pantry. We aren't sure if it is a good idea to get rid of a closet as far as resale.
Photo taken from living room: closet is on left, doorway to kitchen on right. Silly shelves on right are partly demoed.
The plan includes changing the window to a slider. We could go with a single full light door instead. Obviously, the table (aka, my desk) is too large.

Design by Victoria: I like the idea of narrowing up the cabinets to allow seating at a peninsula. If it came out 5', leaves about 4 1/2' to the pantry/frig.
Was planning on the light over the sink.
The dining room in the photo above is 9' wide inside wall to kitchen inside wall.

Sounds like you have your plan.
Love the butler's pantry idea and get rid of the shelves completely. Your butler's pantry will add to resale value, especially if you can incorporate a small sink and a make it look like a mini-bar. You may want to put a big mirror where the shelves are. Your space will look twice as large, and less cluttered. Nice optical illusion. Create a focal point at the d/r window. Nice curtains or sheers across the whole wall in the colors to complement your kitchen or living space to tie it all in. Beautiful floors, by the way!

Was thinking about you after bed last night, and would suggest ditching the slider (unless it leads to a patio) for a nice window under which you can put the banquette. That would turn the table the other direction.

Decoenthusiaste, I wish we had another place for a slider! Great place for a banquette. Currently, there isn't a deck or patio in the backyard and access to the backyard is from a side door on the other side of the kitchen. Made me laugh that you were thinking about this after you went to bed. I fall asleep every night obsessing over it!

A slider will take up a lot of space. You could keep the table and bench arrangement from your first floor plan and put standard door or window there to give you more wall space for the peninsula.

Plan 2 is just about a perfect galley kitchen. This type of design follows the traditional work triangle for function. You can focus on the options available to maximize storage in the base cabinets and still enjoy the open concept after removing a wall.

I would recommend a refrigerator tall end panel to finish this cool look but also support the weight of the front of the cabinet over the refrigerator.

I would also suggest a bar top on a half wall instead of one level. This wall gives you plumbing and electric outlet options plus a comfortable counter for guests to lean on without sitting down. You can still have cabinetry on the back of the bar by using 36" high wall cabinets and furniture base to finish the look.

Good luck with your new kitchen!