I'm afraid I don't understand the question. Your island is pretty standard and seems a fine size. I can't see the refrigerator.

Yeah the current island seems a good size so I'm not sure I understand the problem. Can we see the rest of the kitchen since the sink and fridge aren't pictured?

Can you restate your dilemma? what are the inspiration pictures for?

I basically want to maximize my island and had a kitchen person here who thinks my only choice is to do one of the things featured in the pictures above. This is all because of the location of my fridge. I wanted to double my island but that would make the walk way between island and fridge way too narrow. I want to do something (but don't want to rip out my kitchen and start over) to make my kitchen prettier and more functional. I would like to add three stools if possible.

The problem is this kitchen has a horrible layout. Whoever originally designed it didn't do a great job. Changing the island won't solve anything, in fact, it appears doing anything to it will just make it worse. Either live with the current kitchen or tear everything out.

You could probably have a square island with two sides for seating. It looks like you have plenty of space.

Please take a picture as far back as possible to capture the entire kitchen so we can really see how close these items are to each other. Right now we're basically just guessing based on separate images.

I honestly don't know what part of the inspiration photos you intend us to see -- those are larger and more complex islands, one T-shaped, one with walls on the end. What is the designer saying is the only possible approach here?

Personally, I'd leave the island as is. Neither paint nor a different counter will make it meaningfully different, and the current combination looks fine, just like in the rest of your kitchen. The island looks fine, if simple. I'd put a couple of stools there and not worry too much. What am I missing?

I agree the fridge isn't in the ideal spot, but your layout seems fine as otherwise. I agree with you no sense to gut and start over just try and enjoy as is :) You could paint to change the feel. Selecting stools you love will help too :)

Without measurements it's hard to guess; but, if you remove the existing island, you could replace it another that is parallel to the sink run of cabinets. May need to be more narrow but it would allow for seating.

No guessing required. The problem is not the "kitchen" per se. The problem is the floor plan for the HOUSE in total. The kitchen is cut by three entries, leaving no where to grow an island, that will not result in blocking entry, or access to badly placed fridge.

Find the HOUSE plan for the first floor.. Take a very good photo and post it.

Thanks everyone! I have been to someone's house who has a very similar layout as mine. Her island is moved to parallel to the sink like Skippack suggested. If I remember correctly, her seating is facing the window. She also moved the opening to the dining room (the opening by the fridge) a few feet to the right. Her fridge is by where my oven is. Her double ovens are on the wall where the opening to the dining room is. I can not remember where her cooktop is but maybe on that wall as well. She ripped out her kitchen and started over. I am not planning on doing that but want to give my kitchen a facelift by painting cabinets, changing countertop and backsplash. I also plan to put in a wine/coffee area by the wall by the kitchen table (cabinets, sink and wine fridge).

I've had two kitchen guys here. One hasn't gotten back to me yet but one of them said my island is in the correct position because of where my cooktop/oven is. He does not believe I have a lot of room to play with and suggested I do one of the islands from the pictures above. I am not planning on doing this until the spring so I have some time to really think about it and make sure I get it right.

Thanks again

The first island is quite phallic.

No reason to spend 10K to go from bad to worse.

Ouch...