I like them both, each one has strengths and limitations. I prefer having a lower table w kids and booth seating is cozy. I do love the extra counter space w option B. A third alternative would be to have the layout of option B but with a table instead of an island a la Julia Child.
What age and style is your home?

Another alternative in plan A would be to use a smaller sink to the left of the DW. Would give you more prep space between sink and range. DW drawers could be an efficient style in this space as well.

How many people are usually in the kitchen at once? One cook or two cooks?

Just questions - how often is ductwork area accessed? .... brainstorming to say that some counters/ or tables can hinge/lift up...

how far is frig from counter - over 5' ? - does that seem far?

Powder room already there... wondered about reconfiguring, so frig could be near stove. Doorway moved down...

We created a 1 to 1 scale cardboard kitchen in the space. The island makes for a more open feeling kitchen. Whereas the banquette feels cozy...SO we are really stuck between the two. However - today we started wondering if we could have the island (approx 2'6'' x 4'') AND the banquette nook. So the counter would be L-shaped but end on the right side of the chimney to accommodate the door to the deck. The stairs to the bedroom would stay turning into the room...Any thought? Would this hybrid feel too cluttered?

PP, since you would be customizing the bench seating area anyway, what if you also customized the table to roll in and out of the seating area? That way you could bring it out when you needed additional prep space and roll it out of the way when you wanted the table in the eating area? Might be the best of both worlds to make the most of your space and future needs?

I like option 2. It seems more open. However I would move the fridge next to the chimney (put bigger pantry where fridge is. that way u have a triangular work zone and the fridge is nearer and not across the passage way between stairs and mudroom. As u have the big island, u probably have enough counter top space.

do you really want to slide in and out of a banquette to let someone in / out? do you really want to lean in and clean the seating area? and under the table like a waitress at outback?

I think they might look cool in pictures and the you use them and the love affair fades. QUiCKLY

Hi, PP,

Our redesigned kitchen is very similar to your Option 2 layout (except reversed and the sink is centered in front of the island), and it's been great for us. I also love banquets, though, so I understand your dilemma—it just wasn't a good fit for us. Good luck!

We have the same small kitchen with peninsula, and it is not convenient enclosed space, cos it is tight ( stressful for me) and makes not possible to be together in the same time inside this small spot. So my vote for an open space with island, it is easier way to get access to all kitchen utilities.

I prefer the 2nd option but I agree that the fridge is too far from the prep area.

5 feet is too tight for a stove and dishwasher to be opposite each other. Not to mention that it would make me crazy to have to constantly turn around behind me to load dishes from the sink to the dishwasher.

Thank you for your time and interest folks. We are indeed working with a designer and have gone through 6 different layouts. These two are the only ones that work for us. We did consider a hybrid of these two plans too. As in using the L shaped counter, with an island, AND the banquette in the corner. We are a close family with a baby on the way. e want to make sure the kitchen is both workable (we cook a lot) and cozy so we can spend most of our time in the kitchen. Please note that we are happy with the fridge placement in relation to the work triangle, and that we do need dine in kitchen as formal dining room is across the house. And except for the door in the upper right corner of the plan leading to the backyard, we cannot move any of the other entrances to the room. So the layout is quite limited.

Has anyone lived with a 30''x60'' island? Is it practical as a work/eating surface?

another option may be the island as a work station with the banquette/ table on the backside

search Houzz: Insidesign Project 6- traditional kitchen- Atlanta

I prefer option #2, but what about moving the fridge to the right of the sink where the open shelves are and using the current fridge location for an eating area with a built in bench in an L shape or just along one wall.

I like the idea of the fridge to the right of the chimney. Then a shallow pantry where the fridge is now. I think that would make a very functional kitchen.

I am not sure either kitchen is really where you will spend most of your time. these seem like good kitchens poor family rooms. I think you might be able to have really great kitchen if it’s single purpose. you have a challenging layout and I might not try to get too much out of it. Just my opinion

If you go with A, move DW up closer to the sink. That way it's easier to load. My kitchen has that configuration where the DW is on the leg of the L. The only problem is trying unload things that go in an upper cabinet to right of sink.

I have an idea (which you May have already considered) to change the large window for a door, and create an L shaped kitchen w a square island on the other side of the room. You would orient the stairs as in plan A. Rudimentary drawing attached.
You could then install a bench where the range currently sits & a table w casters. The fridge remains in its current configuration. This places the fridge outside of the work triangle but in easy access to the dining table, the prep island, the deck and driveway it’s for easy access to drinks and snacks.

I agree with moving frig to right of sink.

Reconfiguring the stair is very tough because it's stacked. If I were to take that on I'd try as hard as possible to remove the "winder" stair because that is a tripping risk... here is an idea which may be unrealistic as I'm far from being an architect!!

Didn't read all of the comments, but wanted to say that I dislike banquette / booth seating. If the person closest to the wall has to get something (a 2nd helping, use the bathroom, etc), everyone has to get out. Or the person on the end has to be the food / drink runner.

I also dislike cramped cooking spaces, so my preference would be the island layout.

The second plan gives you a more open kitchen with room for two people to work together without the need for an island. The door and stairs are out of the way, out of the kitchen traffic area. I like to have family dining at a square or round table with regular chairs in a breakfast area or breakfast room. You will have the baby in a high chair for a while, then at the table in an accessible chair. The kids can do their homework at the table in the future. The fridge is a bit far in both plans, but the surfaces adjacent to the fridge are handy. I would consider putting a wider but shallower pantry in the corner formed by the stairs...a shallower, wider pantry gives better visibility and access than a narrow but deeper pantry.

Four ideas; well, really, three as the fourth has a couple of, to me, major issues (see red text/lines in #4).

Before I post them, though, I strongly suggest reading up on Kitchen Best Practices/Design Guidelines so you understand what will/will not work. Things like:

• Key components of a successful Prep Zone are (1) direct water access, (2) sufficient workspace (at least 36", 42" or more better), and (3) trash/recycle in the Prep Zone.
• The bare minimum aisle width for a one-person Kitchen is 42". For two or more people working on an aisle, 48".
• Walkways with no seating/counters/workspace should be at least 36" wide.
• Minimum seating overhang at counter-height is 15" of clear leg/knee space.
• Islands should not block the path b/w the sink & refrigerator, b/w the sink & range, b/w the range & refrigerator.
• Try to avoid a DW in the middle of the Prep Zone so you aren't limiting to what can be done in the Kitchen.
• The DW works best ergonomically when it's next to the DW on the same run (i.e., not around the corner).
• Minimum walkways behind seats range from 44" if there are no workspaces/cabinets/appliances/significant traffic behind the seats --to-- 48" if one of the just mentioned is behind the seats --to-- 54" if more than one of the previously mentioned are behind the seats --to-- 60" if there is seating on both sides of the aisle (e.g., table & island seating across from each other).

Kitchens Forum Design Best Practices/Guidelines FAQs:

• Work Zones, What Are They?: https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5500762/faq-kitchen-work-zones-what-are-they
• Aisles Widths, Seating Overhangs, etc.: https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5500771/faq-aisle-widths-walkways-seating-overhangs-work-landing-space-etc
• Storage Planning: https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5500787/faq-how-do-i-plan-for-storage
• Ice.Water.Stone.Fire: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2699918/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first
• Layout Help FAQ: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5500789/faq-how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-what-information-should-i-include

The stairs are your biggest issue. They take up a lot of room.

I'm not sure how much you can change and whether you can make interior door changes, so I took some liberties to get you thinking of other ideas.

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This is the one with the two, to me, major issues:

I would much prefer to eat meals at a table rather than an island. Why not put a table and chairs in the middle of the kitchen instead of an island?

My very first thought when looking at your options was to caution you NOT to put the island too far from the wall cabinets. I prefer 42" between cabinets and the island but definitely anything over 48" is a waste of space and will make the cooks less efficient. I have an island and a banquette. Will upload photos. The one thing I would never consider doing without is a large island. It's great for entertaining, homework for the little one (one day) and offers lots of prep space if you cook much. I could take or leave our banquette, but an L-shaped one like we have (with table of your choice) might give you more flexibility for seating/serving when entertaining, etc. (We're in the process of shopping for new table/chairs and bar stools, and today is cleaning day, so don't judge - ha!)

The island, especially in #3 is NOT meant for prepping. Without water in the island, it is not particularly useful for prepping...that's why it's a tertiary Prep Zone in EVERY layout...a "last resort".

The reality is that this Kitchen is not big enough to put everything P P wants into the space...so compromises are needed.

It's too bad we don't have all the information we need...a sketch of the entire floor, for example. I wonder if there are other things that can be done (and less expensively) to give P P what s/he wants. We might have other ideas s/he hasn't thought of...but we need more information.

I can address the question of how young kids do at an island, which is what we have in the center of our kitchen. The answer is great.

Once they are toddlers, they can stand on a tower - see attached picture - and “help.” You will want a tower because stools are tippy. The tower is bulky and you will want to leave space for it.

But an island design works great for our little helpers because there is nothing hot for burning themselves and no water for making a mess. We do a lot of baking there. They can help scoop and pour. They can whisk. We put put a mixer stand into the island so they can help with the mixer when we pull that out. They help chop (my youngest just uses a butter knife), but it keeps him very busy while adults use other counters to cook. The kids can also do projects - homemade play-dough or slime at the island.

My 6 year old still stands in the tower for helping in the kitchen so it is not something that just comes and goes. So yes, from a kids perspective an island away from the actual cooking is a very good choice.

My kids have loved sitting on stools at the island since they could walk. They do homework, hang out. The stools also give them the chance to help. My kids use the island for cooking shows! I think you will enjoy the island layout much more as a family.