If you have dining space elsewhere...absolutely. If you gather in the kitchen..,absolutely...

Terri I have a dining room down the hallway from the kitchen passed what I believe was intended to be a Butler's pantry area. That dining room can comfortably seat up to eight.

How much do you use the table in the kitchen and would the island replace that use - i.e. seating at the island vs the table?

Will the island be designed with an overhang so that you can sit at it? With it being so long will it become a hindrance to traffic paths or functions?

Tazena we use the table daily now and yes the island would replace the table. The island would flow fine with 3 chairs but room to add 2 more ... max 5 (tight but could work) at that point we should just go to the dining room or outside where we eat often too!

Karen the layout is U shaped with the proposed island to having seating opposite prep end.

Blfenton the island will have a 12" over hang on both sides and end which basically is the current dining area. It will be 1 traffic path rather than 2 and hinders me to function no ...I'm dreaming of how many cookie sheets I can have going at one time and how great it will be for parties!

I don't see a reason not to go for it then especially if you seem to already be dreaming about it.

If it was me, and I decided on the longer island, I'd be eating all my meals in the dining room. I hate eating at counter height. BUT, I would also be loving the extra prep space of the longer island!

It completely depends on the layout.

Actually I hate when long islands extend into space originally designed for a table (past your perimeter counters). It restricts what should be a walking path and looks forced, IMO.

(I found your layout on an old thread)

I don't like eating at counters. I would much prefer the table.

Be careful with last minute impulse changes, be sure it is what you really want (speaking from experience).

What would you use the most, table in kitchen, big counter for cookie sheets & parties?

Why did the KD wait until now to suggest the change?

Sherri thanks for feedback ... I don't mind having a quick bite at an island but I can see having family meals in our dining room as well. My mom thinks I should go for it as I will have more options with an island especially living the idea of more prep space too and it would be nice to finally use the dining room as intended.

Emily do you mean the path from hall to say sink area? Hmm wondering about your comment of extending past cabinets.

anglo yes eating at table height can still be an option in the dining room

mdln I hear you on impulse I'm really struggling I don't want to make the wrong decision. You ask a great question tho about what would I use most. That's tough I use the prep all the time and the table too :/

he said let's change it up and do something new...I kind of agree.

i think once everything was out kd realized that would not be be a bad option.

Actually DH cannot believe I could be changing my mind but I too never thought of an island like that.

"...the island will have a 12" over hang on both sides..."

If you plan to eliminate the table, I strongly suggest increasing the overhangs to at least 15" of clear leg/knee space. 12" is really too shallow for more than a short "perch".

Will it block a major path? If so, I wouldn't do it.

Thanks for the feedback buehl. It will take away 1 traffic path that was between table and small island. so would go down to 1 path entering from hallway to kitchen rather than 2 and still have 2 paths entering from great room to kitchen.