Here is a really quick sketch of a what kind of kitchen adding that space would get you: (The counter on the window wall is 30" deep. The counter on the range wall is standard 25" deep.) You now have a nice wide counter (and deep!) between the sink and range. That's the best location in a kitchen for prepping, and now you have a great big counter right there with a window over it to make it extra pleasant to work there. There's also a wide counter to the right of the sink for clean-up (loading/unloading the dishes) or snacking (using the dishes and the microwave) without disturbing the cook working at the primary prep counter. The counter to the right of the sink could also be used by a second cook. Here's a terrible mock-up of how much more open your kitchen would feel compared to the current plan:

I'd like to suggest reading the "Layout Help" topic to see what information would be really helpful (see end of post). E.g., what can be changed/what cannot be changed? Just plopping down a layout and asking for help isn't enough...we need to know what we have to work with. Right now, people are making suggestions with very little information to know if the suggestions make sense or are even possible. I do agree that your "new" layout is not very functional. Have you considered moving the kitchen to any other space - not just the bedroom, what about the other bedroom or the Dining Room? I think your mud room could also be improved. In fact, I think you might want to take a step back and look at the entire floor and how the various rooms relate to each other and the flow - which I'm not sure is being adequately addressed here. I'm itching to redesign the entire floor! :-) Other questions: Why do you want a "breakfast" room? Do you really need two types of table seating? You say you "already have a lot of bedrooms in the house" - how many? Where are they? What about full bathrooms? Do you need two bathrooms on this floor? What other rooms would you find useful? A library/study/den? Does anyone work from home? What is the composition of your family? Is the wood deck area your family entrance? Is this where the groceries are brought into the house? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Please check the following resources: Kitchen Design FAQ threads - they will explain things like work zones, aisles, island/peninsula seating, etc. These threads will help you understand questions/comments you will receive. Layout Help - FAQ for asking for layout help. It has a sample measured layout as well as a description of the other information we need . Layout Help: How do I ask for Layout Help and what information should I include? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767033/how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-and-what-information-should-i-include . Kitchen Design FAQ threads: Kitchen work zones, what are they? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638270/faq-kitchen-work-zones-what-are-they Aisle widths, walkways, seating overhangs, work and landing space, and others http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638304/faq-aisle-widths-walkways-seating-overhangs-work-landing-space-etc How do I plan for storage? Types of Storage? What to Store Where? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638376/faq-how-do-i-plan-for-storage Ice. Water. Stone. Fire (Looking for layout help? Memorize this first) http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2699918/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first

Thanks, everyone, for your ideas so far! Stan Z - Nixing the upper corner cab is an interesting idea! I love the balance it would bring to that wall. I'm just not sure if I would be able to reach everything, and I'm paranoid about not having enough storage (especially if the W/D goes in the "pantry"). Do you think it would look better if I put another upper cabinet to the right of the stove (instead of open shelves) to balance that out? If I end up with the second design (corner Susan and larger 24" to the right of the stove) I was planning on putting an upper there. I've definitely gone back and forth on the peninsula thing... but we're pretty set on keeping a separate dining room. desertsteph - sorry about the measurements on the floorplan not showing up well! I didn't realize the image would post so small. I will simplify the drawing so it's easier to read once I get home. The curved line is a door (in my terrible drafting skills). Those are the stairs to the second floor, and the stairs to the basement are underneath it (enter through the dining room). I just included that to show that the flow of traffic is going in that direction. The kitchen originally had the opening on the other side, but I think it makes more sense to direct the traffic on that side. No bathroom on the first floor, unfortunately, but we have a street level walkout basement with another bathroom. There really isn't space for one on the first floor, and probably less than half the houses in the neighborhood have added one, so I'm not too worried about it. mgmum - Switching the DW and sink is a definite possibility. I thought if I kept the bar seating there I thought it would be better to have the dishwasher next to it instead of the sink (since we probably wouldn't be loading the dishwasher while someone is there, but we might be working at the sink). Maybe that's just not true, though. That is an exterior wall by the bar - it's a garden window looking out at the patio (the shape in the mockup is correct but I couldn't figure out how to make the panes see through). buehl - I'm open to the sink going somewhere other than by the window... it just seems like the most obvious place that people think is "correct". I've never had a dishwasher so I keep thinking in terms of my old paradigm. It's going to be an adjustment (the good kind!). Honestly the window doesn't have a great view - it looks at the brick wall of the house across the street. I'm more concerned about the dishwasher door or sink being too close to the breakfast bar if someone is sitting there and snacking or chatting with the cook. At first I was being stubborn about the blind corner, but once I realized it might not fit into the design, I began to think that a corner Susan would be better anyway. I'm kind of the same size as a small child, but that sounds like a royal pain to deal with. I think I just got dazzled by the fancy pullout at Ikea! Maybe it's better to void the corner to fix the issue of the stove and sink being too close. I'll take another look at what that would look like. mama goose_gw zn6OH - Yes, that window is pre-existing. It's actually not a pass through and doesn't even open except a little vent at the top! It's not the highest quality window but I don't mind it and would probably prefer to change it out later down the road to save some money. It does seem like one of those "while you're at it" things, though... it's probably more cost effective to do everything at once if I can scrape up some more. I do like your U shape design a lot, but I was reeeeeally hoping to put some seating in the kitchen since the dining room is separate. Good point about the fridge - for some reason I was thinking it would stick out enough (though it definitely doesn't the way I drew it) or we would put a filler piece there to allow it to open. I'll have to double check on that. lavender_lass - You just said the magic word! I blew my bathroom budget by a mile because I went on a tiling spree... but I'll probably wait to tile the kitchen and DIY it later on, so that might make it feasible. I do love those feature tile walls in a kitchen! Is the breakfast bar what's screwing me up here? Do I need to give up that dream?? Would people think I made a giant mistake if the sink is still under the window but not centered? I could tell that idea gave my contractor a twitch when I brought it up!

I don't really see the advantage of the peninsula in the double L from the original post. I think the traffic flow would be much improved (especially around the refrigerator and range) without it. You could also move the sink closer to the nook, which would help the traffic flow to the DR (especially with the DW open). You'd lose a bit of storage, but corner cabinets are not ideal (were you thinking a lazy susan/super susan, or did you think you would access that cab from the other side of the peninsula?) The ideas put forth by Mama Goose and RL are great, but I wanted to throw out a less ambitious (i.e. cheaper) suggestion.