You're right in not doing an island--the room is much too narrow. A G-shape is great, but from your plans it looks like the peninsula is a bit too long making the entry space too small. It's difficult to tell from the drawings.

You should post a floor plan with dimensions to get the best advice.

Thanks, I only have the prelim aerial views so far but peninsula length is flexible. How many inches from edge to cabinets would you recco? Our current layout has 36” and it’s comfortable for 1 person at a time though probably not considered ideal. What do you think of the overall layout? Anything you would change/add?

Looks great. Just why is that wall on the right such a funny shape. Can we make it straight ?

The house centre hall is octagon shaped so all the room entrances are on 45 angles. The shared wall is with the dining room which is also octagon shaped. I considered squaring off that wall, eliminating current angled entrance, and creating a new entrance into the dining room but I only really gain and extra bank of cupboards and lose the hallway and dining room symmetry. Plus the dining room is a nice private room as is.

Rule of thumb on passage spaces is at least 42" preferably 48" You might want to consider eliminating the peninsula as well and just keeping the U-shape. But then again the U is broken up by that doorway to the left of the refrigerator wall. Can you move those cabinets down, make a true U-shape and have the doorway out of the work space? (which really is not optimal either.)

I know you said there are returns in that wall, but an HVAC pro could probably move them.

I think that looks really good. Probably just shave the peninsula down so you have the recommended 42” width.

I think we need a to scale plan and more info . Do you need the eating space , can you remove a wall ( cold air returns can be rerouted) What is the budget ? Are you planning a complete redo?Where is the DR show that on the drawing along with windows , doorways and plumbing if it is not possible to move it.

The doorway to the left of the fridge wall is the front of the house, beside centre stairs and living room. The angle doorway to the right is the rear, back hallway, lower traffic so closing off the left doorway wouldn’t work I don’t think (too much of a detour to get to the kitchen).

We need some kitchen eating space yes but I think a banquette against the large window and a small table for 5 in that corner would be fine. That allows us to have the peninsula go up to the large window and also clears the way between the sliding door to patio and the angled doorway to hall. The ideal plan would be to remove the wall the fridge is on, put the fridge beside the large window, which makes room for a large island with bench seating backing onto an open centre hallway. But rerouting the cold air returns to the second floor will be difficult. They would need to go to the other side of the house and the basement is finished. Budget isn’t a constraint within reason/sanity. DR is the room beside the sliding patio door. I’m investigating but think most likely the wall stays so am trying to optimize with that in mind.

Solved the wall removal. New designs below. Still doesn't show exact measurements but that isn't as relevant now that wall issue is solved.

Fridge is 36" on the left, freezer 24" on the right. Cooktop is actually induction 36" (not gas) with 30" wall oven underneath. 30" MW drawer in island.

Island counter is around 120" x 45".

Bulkhead will be removed from corner to extend pantry cupboards there. And I'm hoping to be able to remove the angled wall between kitchen and dining room by re-routing a drain currently in the middle of that angled wall into the straight section of wall behind the pantry cabinets.

Once again, any suggestions for better layout, or other ideas at all are most welcome and appreciated!