This all depends on your life style and age ,do you enjoy having breakfast setting a the counter or at the table? Modern sitting is rush and go, in this case the stools and counter will be what you will use .

I wouldn't do counter seating, because anyone sitting there would be blocking traffic to the master hall.

If you don't like the opening, then closing it off sounds doable. Depending on the architectural style of your house, you could even make the opening smaller and add working shutters, to have the option of opening it/closing it as desired.

The issue with an overhang in that spot is you have an opening right next to it. Adding an overhang seems like it would interfere with that. Also, IMO it's never fun to eat and hang out right in front of a sink.

So either close it up, let it just be an opening, or extend your cabinets some more past the sink and add an overhang there.

I could possibly take a foot from inside the kitchen to recess the seating area....

I like your inset inspiration, but your plans don't appear to allow enough space without blocking the door.

You may need seats in the kitchen to rest on from traveling to the refrigerator from the sink around the island.

There will be seating at the island.... I just find the open "pass thru" awkward and am trying to find a better option...however, it seems that most kitchens are either open or have a window above the sink

On second look, I'd close it up and opt for additional upper cabinets

Cabinet space would be welcomed BUT you rarely see a kitchen sink against a closed wall.... I'm not sure if I can relocate the sink.....

Ok let me understand this layout. You walk into the house and down a long, dark hallway and then into a wall. Make a right turn, pass the bathroom and laundry room, and then walk between the kitchen and dining room until you finally get to the living area? Not very inviting for guests.

On top of that the fridge is around the corner from the sink and like Mark says you'll need to travel far to get from one to the other. Add to that the oven in the corner breaking up the counter space?

Honestly, I think the square opening is the least of the problems.

Why do you like this plan?

Well...It's hard to focus on the opening in question when the floor plan is so troublesome. Besides the laborious entry sequence, have you considered the equally laborious entry/exit for the master bedroom?

Are you completely sure about the appeal of this plan?

Thinking of your question, just what is it that "doesn't work for you"? Can you be more specific?

You're considering a counter top and two stools directly in the circulation path to/from the master bedroom? Won't that add to the congestion and confusion?

What do you see as appealing and advantageous about closing the opening?

I am going to have a nice walk from the sink to the fridge, too, in my yet-to-be-built kitchen...but if I had the time and information when doing the layout, I would have never done that!!! However, the layout phase is over....so I now look at it as a good way to get exercise!!

Personally, with the already openness of the layout, I think closing the opening is the way to go, but I am not as smart and experienced as many people on this site, so take that with a grain of salt :)

We had 2 options for a ranch and maybe this one has a better floor plan ....but a smaller kitchen

Imagine trying to get something long, like a box spring, past that protruding countertop, around the corner and up the stairs. I also don't like sitting and looking into someone's sink. Put a few stools at the end of the island.

The second plan looks so much more at ease, and the entryway has light! Although I'd see if you can switch the laundry and powder room. You don't have to enter into the laundry room, you only need a hall with room for a drop zone, and this way the laundry is closer to the stuff being washed, and the powder room isn't next to the bedrooms.

In fact, who will be using the second bedroom? If it's a guest room, you can combine the bathroom and the powder.

What's up/downstairs?

downstairs is 1400 sf finished walk out basement

Do you have a third option of working with an architect to design a house with you to meet your needs and fit your site?

No, we have to choose between these 2 plans but can make some changes to the plans ....

While the kitchen is smaller in the second, I think it will live better. The work flow is better (the island will be an inconvenient barrier in the first), and it will be lighter. While neither has windows, if you close the opening in the first you will have a VERY dark kitchen, v. a slightly dark kitchen in the second.

In the first plan, I do like the closet placement in the master, but both bedrooms limit furniture placement. The Second plan makes furniture placement more flexible.

It is unfortunate that as you walk in from the front door, you see the kItchen before anything else; at least the first plan leads you through the labyrinth to a view out the windows. And in the second, entering from the garage forces you to walk around to the bedrooms. If you could combine the half-bath and full-bath, you could have the laundry also be a walk-through to the bedrooms (and I just love having circulation opportunities in a house).

These comments are all SO helpful. We are downsizing to our "Empty Nester" home. The second bedroom will be for guests or hopefully grandkids... Our lot walks out to a pond/lake view so the wider FR in plan 1 offers a better view...BUT .. I do like the bedrooms being together in plan 2.. I do like the idea of switching the powder room and laundry ... While the FR is a bit small , we will have a lot of space 1400sf, of space in the basement for a 3rd bedroom , full bath and casual family space. I DO like the access to the basement from plan 2 better.....

Maybe what you need to do is find a different development with better plans.

Oh, Ljhays, your last comments are very helpful. If it was just my husband and me, I'd definitely go for the best view!