Basically a nice plan, but you can't have the seating on the end of the island, with overlapping knee space. (Red oval off to the right on the following plan.)

I'd move a seat to the other side of the island, and move the prep sink to the right, to give you more space in the main prep area. For helpers, you'll have extra prep space at the end of the island, and on the counter beside the fridge.

You can store dishes across from the DW, in drawers which open toward the sink wall.

Rather than framed pics on the far wall, I'd consider stud-bay storage:

Images--stud-bay storage.

[Houzz--stud-bay storage.[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/tap-into-stud-space-for-more-wall-storage-stsetivw-vs~26936417)

I personally would not like chairs in front of my fridge. I feel like they would be in the way a lot & I wouldn't like that. I would put open shelving there for cookbooks, etc.

Mama, based on her drawing, I think she's ok with the 2 seats where they are. Look at her drawing and you can see in it, the "chairs" are "pushed all the way in".

I would consider making the table part of the island table height and not island height, especially since you're planning to live there as long as your parents are around. Or at least put a dining table in the open area as a just in case?

I would probably put the microwave (and do yourself and your parents a favor and make it a drawer microwave) and put it in the snack area.

I like the plan. I like that you have ample room around the cabinets. I think it will work well.

You need an actual real dining table.

kaismom, a separate dining table was on her 'rather not have' list.

cpartist, I believe you're correct--I now see the sliver of blue between the chairs on the end. I still think she needs more prep space on the island.

Thank you all so much for your input!

I have been thinking hard and spent half an hour this morning standing in the middle of my current kitchen... That thinking and standing has changed my mind in regards to a proper dining table. I am now considering a smaller island and an extendable dining table which will normally sit quetly by the wall but when needed will jump out to the empty space and stretch perpendicular to the island. Disregard the photo frames and shelving on the walls, I don't really have them, was just playing with the software. I can't change the pictures now as I'm at work and the software is at home... For now I've only made that island smaller and added the dining table "placeholder".

mama goose, you've just opened a whole new world to me, I'm now in love with stud bay storage! Will definitely investigate, what a fantastic option. Might work like magic for my cookbooks collection. Also a great idea to have dish drawers facing the DW. The only thing is, I was planning to put power outlets on that side of the island, where would you have them if that wall is all drawers? I guess can stil put them under the seating overhang, on a side of the cabinet with the
dishes? A little harder to reach but on the other hand, well hidden from view. Also, rotating that cabinet for dishes to face the DW, would you put some sort of fake "face" on the side that is now on the front wall of the island? Just for visual continuity... Hope this question makes sense.

mark_rachel - I don't quite understand. Do you mean, shelving instead of the fridge? Where would the fridge go then? I'm changing the setup anyway and there won't be "permanent" seating there so hopefully works better, please take a look.

kaismom - I did think no dining table. I don't think that anymore. Family meals are important. Christmas is important. Yes, I am definitely trying to design not just the kitchen but a space for the family. Please take another look, I've updated the plan. A smaller island and an extendable table. I agree - that large island would be too "permanent" and too "customised" for when we will be selling the house eventually.

cpartist - I thought about table-height section of the island. I don't really like this option, but I understand it works for many people. I would love a MW drawer but I spent a lot of time googling and it seems like not a single brand is available here in Australia. This country is my favourite place in the whole world but in some aspects we are just behind the rest of the planet... I will think about swapping the MW with some drawers in the snak area, but this places it quite far from the rest of the kitchen... Worth considering though. Thank you for your overall kind feedback

Sophie Wheeler - yeah, I see it now.

Please keep ideas coming :)

I meant open shelving (bookcase) on the island opposite the fridge. I'm not opposed to not having a kitchen table. If you won't use one, it's a waste. Design your kitchen for YOUR needs.

Thanks mark_rachel, I get it now. I really did extensive thinking and I'll keep thinking for quite a few weeks before we finalise the plan. I'm thinking about our "meal patterns" and I now see that in most cases only 2-3 people sit down together for a meal, but then occasionally we do need comfortable seating for 6-12 people. So probably a smaller island that sits 3 plus a table that does not take much space when collapsed but extends when needed is what is best for us.

Ultimately, what I love most is empty space so I guess I'll get most of my empty space this way?

Islands are really bad for small children to sit at. They fall off. Up to about seven or eight years old, kids sometimes fall off chairs for no apparent reason. A stone counter to hit and farther to fall isn't so great.

The island seating is also all up the prep space. Why can't it be bigger, and drop it to table height for the chairs in that section? Got a lot of crowding and empty space, both.

Milly Rey, I've changed my mind and added a table - look at my comment above. Can you elaborate on crowding/empty space please? Any advice?

What I would personally do is make the thing you have as an island/breakfast bar just an island, no seating and make the aisle in the kitchen wider. The on the right side, I would put a table-height addition to the island in your countertop material and use it as a kitchen table with enough chairs for everyone. No separate 3-seater. It only needs to be 36" wide.

This moves the people who are hanging out so they aren't all over whoever is cooking. It also moves them closer to the coffee bar and fridge. I'll try to find similar photos.

traditional

another bird

I am going to state my personal opinion and just my personal opinion only.

When you make design decisions, you must evaluate pros and CONs.

The CONs of the 'table level' seating attached to the counter level working area; IMHO.

It is permanent. You can achieve the exactly same function with a movable table. If you use a table, then you can have the flexibility of how you arrange the living area. The first picture looks like someone stuck a table next to the island and cut off the legs. I don't see why this is attractive. The second one is more aesthetically pleasing but functionally terrible. You are forced to walk around 15 feet or more (5 meters to the Ausies) every time you want to move out of the kitchen.

While using up valuable spaces in the kitchen, there is no storage under the table level seating area, unlike a traditional island.

The PRO of "an eating island" is that you have storage under the counter AND gives you place to eat in the kitchen while using a fraction of foot print in the kitchen. This is best done "while enhancing the efficiency in the kitchen".