Ok. Beer definitely helps. I was pretty sure it would. Here's some more info that's probably fairly important. We have a 10' ceiling in the kitchen and 8' in the entry and pantry. And we already have purchased a 30" range. Probably shouldn't have, but felt it was too good a deal to pass up. Also, we're not big on bar-style eating areas. I also have the option of opening up the wall between the kitchen and pantry all the way. Bmore's 2nd layout actually shows the pantry door where it's currently located. I was going to move it to give a free corner. The ceiling heights would be different, of course, and I'm sure I'd have to but a big header across, lower the opening even further. I like the concept of the stove in the peninsula, but I'm worried that venting it there would be prohibitively expensive. I assume the dashed line denotes a height difference? The range being lower than the surrounding area?

We have the cabs in our garage now and have measured them. Base units: 39", 18" (drawers), 12", 33" (cut in back for the sink), two 36", and a corner 36x36. Upper units: three 24", 36", 39", the fridge 36", the oven 30", and a 36" that is taller then the others due to some cubbies on the bottom of it. DH had a good point earlier today - our room isn't really 17 x 14. Only the part on the right side of the drawing is 14 across. Then the room gets cut in by about 2 feet I think, even if we remove the current pantry. 1 update - DH made it seem like when he picked up everything that he'd broken-beyond-using the corian counters, but he didn't. There's a scratch, a gouge, and 1 or 2 parts that broke in a way that didn't really matter. Point being, we have corian counter to use, including a peninsula that I'd given up for destroyed (it's gouged). I'll have to re-work that in. The original thought had been to have it coming from near the dishwasher. Oh, if only that little support wall wasn't there! We do have a small cab to the right of the stove. You didn't miss it, but it's the old one and is going away. We have about 26 usable inches in that space, max. Unless we manage to completely eliminate stuff pushing into the room in that area we can't put anything bigger. But I like your idea of moving the fridge over and working with that some more! We have only the 2 lower units that are smaller then 30". If we put either of them next to the dishwasher, then we are stuck on what to fill in on the other corner... I was thinking it would be easier to fill in the 18" next to the DW then try to arrange the other corner. But I could be missing a good idea there! I think > 30" is too big to cut down like that? Plus with the peninsula coming from this area I'll have to rethink it anyway. Maybe leave under open and put shelves above? If I'm not using the 36" for the island I could use them for the coffee area. Both would fit or we could do the little seat area! Not that I necessarily want to watch the neighbors back door ;) We are both somewhat handy. Inexperienced in this area but excited to learn new stuff. Well, I'm excited. He's resigned ;) I'm going to work on a new plan tonight, working under the assumption that we don't need those closet walls. Thanks for the ideas!

So, I took a look..and I do have some concerns, especially if you try to fit a 48"D island into your space. Your space just isn't wide enough to have that deep an island + decent aisles + space to move around the island. Even a 41.5"D island is marginal. A few things have to be taken into account in your design: (1) You definitely need to have enough room for multiple cooks: "We're a family of four. Two kids, one 5 and one 10. Wife and I both love to cook and share the responsibility equally. Kids will also help out in the kitchen and our oldest loves to bake by herself." This means your aisles really need to be a minimum of 48". It also means you need to have more than one place to prep and, preferably, a water source in at least two locations so you're not fighting over the sink. (Add in someone trying to cleanup or load/unload the DW while others are prepping/cooking, and you're asking for trouble -- especially when your kids are in preteen + teen! (Trust me on this!) (2) Busy traffic in the Kitchen. The Kitchen is in the middle of the path between the Family Room and the Dining Room and, I think, between the entrance (far left) and the rest of the house -- including the stairs that I assume go upstairs to the bedrooms. That area is going to be busy. So, You need adequate aisles to allow considerable traffic + table seating and considerable traffic + island seating. Do not skimp on aisle space (or seating space)! You need a minim of 48" between the island and anything behind the seats (e.g., the stairs). More would be better, but your Kitchen isn't deep enough. (3) Island configuration: Since you need the minimum aisle widths (48") around the island, you cannot fit a 48" deep island. Instead, have a 3 seats along the back and one on the side. Is it ideal, no, but it's better than most I've seen. Your island is then 41.5" deep: 1.5" counter overhang in the front + 24" deep base cabinet + 1" decorative door/end panel on the back of the base cabinets + 15" seating overhang = 41.5" In addition, each seats need 24" of linear space, so only one seat will fit on the 41.5" long side --and-- you cannot overlap seats on a corner, so even skimping on linear space won't work. For 3 seats, that means you need 72" (6'). Your minimum island needs to be 72"W x 41.5"D For your Kitchen size: From what I was able to calculate, it appears the longest part of your Kitchen is no more than 116" + 71" + 19.5" = 206.5" [Note: The 19.5" measurement might not be right, I had to base it on what I saw elsewhere b/c a couple of key measurements were missing on your layout.] The stairs encroach on that, so where the island ends, it's a bit less than 149" The minimum space you need is: 25.5" + 48" + 41.5" = 115" and then add in 33" to accommodate the needed the space b/w the stairs and island = 148" [Why 33" and not 48"? This can be a bit complicated...the stairs are on a diagonal, so a straight line measurement doesn't work. Instead, I had to work with rotated lines to calculate what was necessary to accommodate a 48-inch aisle. If it's too complicated or I didn't explain it well, don't worry about it...you'll see the results in the layouts.] . Layouts.... With all of the above in mind, I came up with two layouts -- I like #1 the best b/c I think it gives you the best functionality, more workspace, and a more open feel. Both have two Prep Zones: (1) in the island with a prep sink and (2) on the perimeter b/w the cleanup sink and range. As you can see, Layout #1 has more space b/w the range and cleanup sink. The sink run of counters and cabinets are 3" deeper than standard. This gives you more storage (especially dish storage) and and deeper workspace. It also pulls the sink 3" farther from the window and window sill so you can easily fit any faucet, clean behind it easier, and minimize window splashing -- without being too far from the window to open it. The base cabinets are 27" deep (If you cannot get deeper base cabinets or they're too expensive, pull standard depth base cabinets (24"D) out from the wall 3" when they're installed.) The upper cabinets are 15" deep (Most lines now offer 15" deep uppers for a reasonable price) The deeper uppers also provide better storage for deeper items like platters or large dinner plates. The counter is 28.5" deep The deeper cabinets & counter also allow you to have a Dish Hutch. A Dish Hutch has a lot more storage than a standard base + upper setup. The upper goes down to the counter and, allows you to utilize the entire height for dishes, glasses, etc. In your layout, it's a 27" wide Dish Hutch. (That means you have an additional 27"W x 18" tall x 15"D = 7,290 cubic inches (about 4.2 cubic feet) of storage.) Other items: The island has a prep sink so the island can function as a Prep Zone (key Prep Zone items are water and counterspace). There's still plenty of open space for baking, doing homework, science projects, crafts, wrapping gifts, etc. The island also seats four people comfortably. Dish storage and the Cleanup Zone are outside the Prep and Cooking Zones -- allowing you to have multiple people working in the Kitchen -- prepping, cooking, baking, cleaning up, unloading the DW, setting the table, etc. -- without getting in each others' way. The MW is on the long counter at the "bottom" of the Kitchen. That space also makes a nice Snack/Tea/Coffee Center and, if necessary, a "tertiary" Prep Zone. While there isn't direct access to water, it can be used in a pinch for prepping. That long space also has additional storage space for pantry items or other needs. I suggest building up the half-wall b/w the Family Room and the Kitchen to at least 42" tall to allow a bit of separation and to block a direct view of the MW (assuming you put it there -- that seems to be the best location. It's at a usable height and has room around it for landing space. The both have a full-height 18" pullout pantry and, in front of the furnace exhaust bumpout, a full-height shelved pantry cabinet 18"W x 9"D. A lot will fit in that 9" deep pantry cabinet! Layout #2 has a 9" Utility cabinet (or another pantry cabinet). The Dining Room In Layout #1 has a partial banquette style -- one long side and one short side are in the corner. The other seats are chairs. It easily seats up to 6. If you have leaves, you might be able to squeeze in a couple more seats, but only if/when really needed b/c it will create aisle/traffic issues. There is plenty of space around the table for seat access. This layout allows you to move the Refrigerator to the other side of the furnace exhaust bumpout. This frees up space to the right for needed counterspace. (This is the primary reason I prefer this layout. It's worth losing the 9" wide utility cabinet -- at least to me.) In Layout #2, the Refrigerator will not fit on the left of the furnace exhaust bumpout, so the amount of counterspace around the range is significantly reduced. To fit the table, there are minimal aisles on the left (36") and top (35"). However, they are not "through aisles", so they should be OK. You'll have to do a bit of squeezing, but with only 4 people, it won't be bad. The important aisles are wide enough. Here they are: Layout #1: Layout #1's Zone Map: . . Layout #2 Layout #2's Zone Map:

I wanted to share this because your layout is similar to mine. Our fridge is similar to your original plan, out of this photo to the left of the island. It is ”a hike” but we actually love it there! It definitely breaks the rules of traditional kitchen design and so many people would bash that location, but it’s been very functional for us to have it more ”out of the way”. Having said that, traditions are traditions for a reason and most people would probably prefer their fridge closer to the sink! If you do leave the fridge there, widen that aisle for sure! Ours is 4’6” on that side to give plenty of room to have the fridge open and still walk by. Our dishes are kept in the right hand upper cabinets which is very convenient. Pots and pans and silverware in drawers below- love that! The only thing we couldn’t really cluster around our dishwashers was the glassware. Our glassware is in the upper cabinets on the far left and admittedly a little annoying when carrying from the dishwashers. Based on your plans, I think yours is about the same distance, so something to think about! Trash is in the island, which WE LOVE. So easy to open and sweep things right off the island, which serves as our main prep area. Speaking of prep, most people would say our island needed a prep sink. I’m so glad we didn’t!! I love the wide expanse of uninterrupted space. Finally, giving up an entire wall to windows (ours wrap to the left wall as shown and to the right wall not shown) does necessitate careful planning, but it was the best desicion we made!! Below is the fridge wall. Love the deep drawers under the wall oven- perfect for crock pots! We did a reach in pantry where you have cabinets planned. We are not coffee drinkers at all, but it would be a great place for more cabinets (like your rendering) and a coffee bar! One other thing- personal prefence I guess, but I think the size of your glass uppers is a little stumpy! We have 9ft ceilings and made them 17”. I would also get rid of the glass above your range and extend the (hopefully vented?) hood to the ceiling.