Pick something else. Or rebuild the island. It’s too deep anyway.

I've heard that 12" is okay for an overhang.

Rebuilding the island is not an option - the house is a new build and cabinets are only six years old. Don't want to change it.

What abut using a different material for the overhang section such as wood along the entire length.

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There will be a slight height differential.

If you’re replacing six year-old countertops, and thinking of painting six year-old cabinets, I don’t see how rebuilding the island is not an option. Assuming your funds are limited, you could take the money you would’ve spent having the cabinets painted and instead rebuild/modify the island with improvements!

Maybe they like the island!

What I'd do is tape up some cardboard in front of the stools and see if it's to squishy without those 3 inches. If it's fine, you're in luck! If not, at least you'll know.

(I don't know these quartzes you're looking at but in some colors, seams really can be nearly invisible.)

Thanks all. We generally like the size and layout of our island and do not want to re-build it. I have read a variety of old discussions on proper overhang lengths for countertops and they seem to range from 10-18". We have quite a bit of space currently with the 16", but wanted to see if anyone else had encountered this issue and shrunk their island to avoid a seam...AND...were happy with their results. I have taped it off as if we had 3" less on the width of our island and will live with that a few days. Our kitchen is open to our dining room area and our living room and the size of the island visually looks good together (another photo attached).

I have seen mixed reviews on seems with white marble like quartz. In most pictures, it is pretty visible.

I think you would be unhappy with a seam. Can you find another slab? Or choose a different island counter? I found some slabs today that were 135. Maybe you can find a big giant slab.

It would LOOK fine with 3" less surface. It's a really deep island! If it functions okay and the chairs will go in far enough and you won't bonk your knees, I think you're good.

I would not like a seam either. We have a 12" overhang and it is completely comfortable for us.

Rather than taping off a portion of the counter, I would make up something underneath the counter so you can see what it feels like to lose 3” of knee room.

ETA: I didn't realize that Fori suggested the exact same thing awhile ago. Perhaps I shall read through all the posts! ;)

I don't understand why you'd want to change everything, but hey, if you have the funds go for it. It looks like those chairs are pretty big for the island and if you got smaller, sleeker chairs, a 12 inch overhang would be perfectly fine. (this is coming from someone that does not have an overhang on their island and doesn't have a big enough kitchen to add one).

I had to reduce mine to 13” and it’s fine. I’m 5’8” and DH is 6’. No problem. I sit there comfortably for hours at a time.

Yes, the kitchen is functional, but I really HATE the granite and have since the day we moved in. It is very busy and always looks dirty...and not to mention the issues with the poor fabrication that leaves a big space on each side of the stove top that is impossible to clean. While I appreciate that commercialization has caused us to do things that are not necessary, life is short so why not enjoy the place we spend so much time?

Thanks for the input on how to test the smaller space - agreed that tape can only do so much and isn't that helpful.

"a big space on each side of the stove top"

insert between cooktop and counter to make cleaning easier