The space between the main work counter and the island looks tight. IMHO it should be at least 42" especially since the drawing shows a standard range with an oven, not a cooktop. For that many people to sit at a counter the island should be wider and the bar sink should be at one end preferably as farther away from the main sink and near the ref.

I would try to avoid putting the main sink right in front of a post. Sometimes a big awning window can work well there. I would try to get a bit more counter space between the stove and the sink.

Since people like to put stuff to drain next to the sink, it helps if the sink is near one end of the counter so that stuff isn't in your way when working.

I agree with the last poster that you should have a minimum of 42" between the island and the main counter, especially if you'll have more than one cook. If your island is 8 feet long, 4 stools should fit nicely. The rule is 24" per person, though I'm sitting here at my 8' island, and I could squeeze in 5 (friendly) people if I had to :).

And yes, move the prep sink to the range side of the island. (It would be somewhat redundant on the other side).

You might also align the range with the island, so that you only have to pivot and step to get to the island. You'll also be closer to guests when cooking, and you'd still have plenty of space bet. range and sink.

Lastly, you might sacrifice some island cabinet space and leave a 12" lip on the side of the island nearest the peninsula. That way, you can bring in an extra stool when entertaining. Just make sure that there will still be 30-36" between that seated guest and the little peninsula.

I know this isn't what you asked, but I'm worried about the location of the oven(s) on the 'social side' of your island. It's right in what could be a busy a pathway (e.g., anyone going from FR to PR, and near the island seating) and there is no landing space nearby except for the island where someone might be sitting. I'm picturing taking the turkey out of the oven and needing to set it down, someone's sitting at the island, someone else is getting ice out of the ref and another person is walking by to get to the bathroom...

Are you determined to have a wall oven, or could you live with an under-counter oven? You could have one or two in your island or one b/w the cooktop and sink. In any case I'd rather have the oven on the 'working' side of the kitchen so it's in a protected pathway.

I'd recommend posting this on the kitchens forum to get some really good feedback. They can help you set it up to be functional, social, and beautiful. I wouldn't be in a hurry to order cabinets until you have a layout that will work with you for the long term.

Tony- Nice plan! My question is, do you have to have the peninsula (by the desk) for any structural reason? If not, I'd take that out and make the island a bit longer. Have the end of the island (by the range) more for prep, with the prep sink and easy access to the wall oven. Right past the wall oven, I'd start the stools, with three or four along the long side and one on the end.

Also, can you add another window, over the sink area? Three windows would give you the center window lined up, right over your sink...and a better view. The desk is a good idea and will still be out of the work area.

Having the end of the island more open, will give you a landing place, opposite the oven, prep space by the fridge and a place to set dishes, when bringing them in from the dining room. The stools being further down will keep this area from being too crowded. Hope this helps :)

This plan is almost identical to our neighbor's house. I think they may have a small den on the other side of the staircase on the front of the house.

We were at their home recently, and one thing I noticed about the "social" issues with the kitchen was that everyone gathered around the island on ALL sides. It made it extremely difficult for the hostess to do any prep or serving tasks. Their island had overhang only on the one side, and people were standing on all the other sides. If this is the type of kitchen you want, then I think it works for you.

nobody needs a desk.
nobody needs a desk, so bad that it has to be there, out in the open.

drop the desk.
you cannot have everything you may have ever dreamt of, all in one place.

besides, people don't like desks once they have them.
and, you have other areas that are more private if you need a true desk.

and, with technology going the way it is going, you won't even use ANY desk anywhere.
remove the desk.

Thank you all for your input. I have been listening. We need to get this hammed down because we have to put the order in.

This is what lowes had. The island and peninsula are the problems still. All the measurements are correct but this isn't to scale. We're not fans of the half moon and the 2 stools.

Its a tight space so we have to pick our battles. For Stove items if we put something in the stove it will be for at least 30 min, so i don't mind walking over there. As far as the turkey dinner goes, the bird gets priority. If I need room, i'd tell the person to move out of the position so i can set the turkey down. We do want the desk, with 1 baby and another on the way, we want a place to keep family business in 1 place, process mail ect. Also I figure we could do photo editing there too while the kids play in the living room (when there older). Everyone I know who has had a desk in the kitchen has loved it. So we'd like it. It doesn't have to be as big though.

As far as being social goes, I really mean for family dinners if possible. We do have a casual dining room on the other side of the oven, so I may say screw it and go back to the architects rough plan and try to stick a extra at one end.

Any other advise?

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