Welcome, Michelle1973! Please see the following Kitchens FAQ as it is the most helpful when asking for layout help: FAQ: How do I ask for Layout Help and what information should I include? Other helpful FAQs: FAQ: Kitchen work zones, what are they? FAQ: Aisle widths, walkways, seating overhangs, work and landing space, and others FAQ: How do I plan for storage? Types of Storage? What to Store Where? You mention that looks are more important to you than function - OK - so is function important at all? Note that most of us here are function first/form second. Why? For two reasons, (1) A nice looking but dysfunctional kitchen can become a nightmare to deal with over time - assuming you cook, that is. [No, not everyone actually cooks. For some people, a kitchen is solely for "show" and will rarely, if ever, be used for more than heating up take-out or similar. That's OK - in that case it probably doesn't matter (until resale...)] (2) It is relatively easy to make a functional kitchen look nice - but it's almost impossible to make nice-looking but dysfunctional kitchen function well (short of doing another remodel). Do you have a layout of the entire first floor? A comment on your current design - it's actually not too bad, functionally! Dish storage may be an issue, but if you're OK with dishes in drawers, then I think you will probably be OK. A few other items: Be aware that a "full size refrigerator" will take up more room in the aisle than you show, even if you recess it into the wall behind it. If you can recess the refrigerator into the wall and room behind it, then figure a depth in the kitchen about 5" to 6" deeper than the deepest item next to the refrigerator....if the deepest item is the counter - then another 5 to 6 inches beyond the counter - so: 25.5" + 5.5" = 31" deep. Doors & handles of non-true built-in refrigerators must extend past surrounding items - walls, counters, cabinets, other appliances, etc. If the refrigerator (or freezer) is next to a wall that's deeper than the carcass/body of the refrigerator, then you will need a 9" to 12" cabinet or filler b/w the wall and the refrigerator or freezer to be able to fully open the refrigerator/freezer doors. If they are next to walls that can be changed, then try to make the walls no deeper than the carcass/body of the refrigerator & freezer. For the island, be sure there is sufficient space b/w the edge of the island and the table on the left - at least 60" - more if there will be a lot of traffic passing b/w them. In the "Dining" room, also be sure you have at least 44" b/w the table and what appears to be counters to the left of the table - more if you intend those counters to be work space or a place for staging food while someone is sitting at the table. If so, then plan for 51 to 54" so there's room for someone to be at the counter while someone is sitting at the table. 44" is needed for...

We are a family of 4 (well, 3 now that one is in an apartment). Both parents work from home. One dishwasher. Typically run it in the evening, but occasionally also in the afternoon. My storage is close to the dishwasher so it takes under a minute to unload. The one dishwasher is fine unless DH cooks dinner (which he does more frequently now that he works from home), and he is very good at using every pot. I will actually decide which tools I'm going to use based on how much space is left in the dishwasher, or will wash or rinse a used tool. ISometimes I wish I had an additional dishwasher drawer for the overflow. So it all depends! I'd kind of like a "cooking" dishwasher and a "dishware" dishwasher lol.

This is me, speaking gently... It's perfectly fine, of course, that you want your new kitchen to be anyway you want it. I'm just going to mention stuff in the next paragraph that is more fact and less feel. I am happy for people to have what they want for whatever reason, but this is what I think you should know. The light from the kitchen windows is never going to reach the family room through an opening that is 90 degree angle. There is somewhat of a view of the kitchen windows (probably) but it's kinda far and pretty much angled away. The opening over the sink area should preserve some connection. The family room seems to have a triple slider facing in exactly the same direction as the kitchen windows - but it's bigger and closer, not turned at an odd angle with much smaller glass area and people standing in front of them using the sink, etc. Maybe think about where furniture and stuff will be placed in the family room - like sofa(s)/TV/AV/Game consoles, recliners, game tables and how those interactions will change as people grow and change. I like to think of the traffic to/from the family room as being "channeled" so people aren't wandering everywhere but you sound like you like that. The Last Thing I Ever Want is to be able to hear a TV while cooking, but you're probably different. I'm still recovering from 7 sibs growing up together in small homes. Everyone proposes stuff based on what they like or dislike or have found to work or not work.

First--it's a new build so spending a little extra now will pay off in the future. I would use all drawer bases, trash pull-out, and if at all possible, a drawer microwave. The drawer MW will be expensive but easier on your back than a countertop model on a lower shelf. A framed pantry with shelves would be less expensive but roll-out tray shelves (ROTS) in the pantry cabinets (again, initially more expensive) would be more convenient. Here is a plan for the island, assuming the breakfast area is omitted. I would add a seat on the short side and move the DW and sink to the left and use some shallow shelves around and below the window for storage or display. Doors can be added later as more money becomes available: NKBA guidelines New to Kitchens? Read me first. Discussions--all drawer bases Discussions--dishes in drawers