If the island is running length wise with the 18' wall and if there is standard 2' cabinetry on both the right and left 14' walls, then the size of you island sounds like it is good. It leaves you 3.5' walking space on the sides of the island. However, If your fridge faces and opens at the side of the island, then you might want to shrink the length of the island to get a 4' walkway. If your fridge does not face the side of the island, then it would be fine to have a 3.5' walkway and keep the 81" island.

Dirty dishes will be going to dishwasher as a drying place. All we are doing really is change the size of kitchen island from 4'x10' to the mentioned size and push out the working space from 42" to 50". Now, the more i looked at it, the more I want to leave it as is except to have the edge of the island in standard beveled instead of semi bullnose. we may change the color of island's cabinet from white to walnut or dark maple and change the inside granite's countertop to black color to make it looks contrasting What do you think of the backsplash, it's kind of plain looking. Maybe put a few dots on every other tile??? This post was edited by Novie on Thu, Jan 23, 14 at 23:05

Before we remodel we struggled w/ this issue. In the end we made a bigger investment so that we could eat at a table & have an island. I am very glad we did. I almost always choose to have our family dinner at the table-- it seems so much more civilized and relaxed and an improtant time for our family of four to be/dine together -- which is only 3-4 times a week. When we sit at the table there have been so many improtant discussions that take place. They are critcal teaching moments for our teenage children. Also I am a stickler for table manners & it is hard to do that the island. Lunch & Breakfast happens at the island. FYI- We increased the kitchen floor plan byremoving diningroom wall & absorbing that space into our kichen plan. The dining room furniture then moved to share space with our oversized living room. Two years later- I am sooo happy we did this.

6’ is not functional cleaning it will be a PITA and you gain nothing from that size island as far as work surface. Just because you see a picture of something does not make it good. BTW you need an actual KD independant and not a cabinet sales person for sure .At least the one you have has common sense. If you want a bit of help post your to scale floor plan here with al dimensions , windows doorways etc clearly marked.