If you have kids of an age to kick one another, this is always a possibility, but generally they grow out of that behavior and it shouldn't be too important a factor for planning, any more than kicking is a factor at any other rectangular table. More important is choice of stools if this is an eating area; don't get swivel ones if there's a kicking problem. A different problem is that there is only so much knee space. How deep will your overhang be? Did you discuss going leg-less with the designer? That is, using supports underneath the countertop instead of legs? I agree that the openness is a virtue. At the very least, I dislike the faux drawers idea you began the thread with. Visually it would be weird to see that panel with the implication of a 3-D back and there be none there--like a flat Hollywood set. Is that a t.v. behind the peninsula? In that case, I even more strongly suggest that the storage unit go up against the wall and the sitters move down. That inner spot will be the last one taken whenever people sit. I think you're envisioning someone sitting adjacent to wall and trying to talk to the cook at the range. How often will that actually be the case? More often the cook will be at the peninsula washing & chopping or messing with plates. The splash goes either side of the little sink plus behind it and the seats by it will seem just a bit too close. The end seat(s) will be the premium seating: possible T.V. viewing plus conversation in three directions--toward family room and toward colleagues and cook. And it's the first seating when entering through that door. One more thing to consider--how likely are you to pull a stool around to the inside of the peninsula? If you're like us, one stool will "live" in there much of the time. So if that happens, where will it go and who will it be facing? [Your layout is very similar to mine except that your door is my refrig and your wall adjacent to end of peninsula is my hall from another room, but there is no seating until what is your second seat because the peninsula angles out there. I sit to right of the prep sink at the pullout chopping board at the corner and DH sits opposite me when we are there conversing or such. Our little undercab t.v. is over your blind corner.]

We have very much what you are describing, a wood bar at bar height with granite on the rest of the counters. Our peninsula is open to the eating area/family room around a corner. I admit, this is one area that was about form over function. I liked the way it highlights the open corner and separates the family room from the kitchen. Plus it is in my primary prep and cooking area (range adjacent) and I was afraid I'd feel like I was cooking in the family room without it. It also hides my little prep sink. The 25" counter depth does not seem too small to me, but I have lots of room to spread out side to side. We've never been a family to eat at an island or peninsula, and we don't use it that way now. In fact, we still haven't gotten any stools and I'm not entirely sure we will because people seem to enjoy just leaning against it or we use it to set up buffet style - whether it is a large family meal, or just snacks/hors d'oeuvres for visitors. From kitchen side: From family room side

9" sounds better--I misunderstood the measurement of the island depth on the last plan you'd posted. There are many pics of cooktops under windows (I linked some above), and a few GW members have done the same. Angie_diy and cotehele are two that I recall. You might do a search, and message them to find out how they feel about the issue. If it gives you a better layout, I think it would be fine, and although glass shows spatters, it is durable--more durable than my bead-board backsplash. I would assume that any solid surface behind the hood would help contain the steam and grease plume better than the open cooktop first considered. Where would that grease have gone? I've never had a cooktop under a window, though, so I can't add any first-hand experience. One GW discussion/pros and cons cotehele (and a few others) weighed in on this discussion

We have leather stools similar in style to these that are comfy. Ours have metal on one rung to prevent scuffs, but they were also more expensive. These seem like a bargain and come in many colors. https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/three-posts-russett-26-bar-stool-w001570845.html?piid=501491444 Grandinroad has a similar one that is more expensive but more colors. https://www.grandinroad.com/julien-bar-26-counter-stool/374607?SourceCode=ZZ348076&intlShippingCtx=US%7CUSD&listIndex=0&offers_sku=45348%20BLA&catargetid=120245400000246847&cadevice=t&gclid=CjwKCAjwxrzoBRBBEiwAbtX1n9rkcggVW3wSFSjKxL5I0xPcDfmsYPU6JSR-ASOqhQjtJ6Z_n0vb9BoCSbAQAvD_BwE