If you have kids of an age to kick one another, this is always a possibility, but generally they grow out of that behavior and it shouldn't be too important a factor for planning, any more than kicking is a factor at any other rectangular table. More important is choice of stools if this is an eating area; don't get swivel ones if there's a kicking problem. A different problem is that there is only so much knee space. How deep will your overhang be? Did you discuss going leg-less with the designer? That is, using supports underneath the countertop instead of legs? I agree that the openness is a virtue. At the very least, I dislike the faux drawers idea you began the thread with. Visually it would be weird to see that panel with the implication of a 3-D back and there be none there--like a flat Hollywood set. Is that a t.v. behind the peninsula? In that case, I even more strongly suggest that the storage unit go up against the wall and the sitters move down. That inner spot will be the last one taken whenever people sit. I think you're envisioning someone sitting adjacent to wall and trying to talk to the cook at the range. How often will that actually be the case? More often the cook will be at the peninsula washing & chopping or messing with plates. The splash goes either side of the little sink plus behind it and the seats by it will seem just a bit too close. The end seat(s) will be the premium seating: possible T.V. viewing plus conversation in three directions--toward family room and toward colleagues and cook. And it's the first seating when entering through that door. One more thing to consider--how likely are you to pull a stool around to the inside of the peninsula? If you're like us, one stool will "live" in there much of the time. So if that happens, where will it go and who will it be facing? [Your layout is very similar to mine except that your door is my refrig and your wall adjacent to end of peninsula is my hall from another room, but there is no seating until what is your second seat because the peninsula angles out there. I sit to right of the prep sink at the pullout chopping board at the corner and DH sits opposite me when we are there conversing or such. Our little undercab t.v. is over your blind corner.]

One of the more clever shelf ideas I saw on this website for a corner cabinet had shelves didn't go fully across. They went from the side wall to the back and were mostly rectangular shelves. The rear of the cabinet was cropped so the shelves were slighly angled at that point. They looked adjustable too (always a plus in my book!) They could be staggered and this allowed for a range of items to be stored. I'm not explaining this well but found the photo and am including a link to it. This cabinet did have a closed door but I think it could probably also be effective as open/display shelving. I'm not suggesting open or closed because that's up to you but I found the storage choice really creative. jayne Here is a link that might be useful:

Yes, we agree and have discussed making the island at leas 6” narrower probably 9”. I would loose the row of cabinets on the seating side of the island, but I’m fine with that. We will also be able to increase the depth of the overhang for seating. Our uppers are dropping to 20”. Moving the fridge to the left of the sink would look terrible from the main living area, unfortunately, so we’re having a tough time considering that. I’m thinking of seeing about reducing the cabinet to the right of the stove by 3” and we have another inch to move the fridge over. This will give me 6” on the left of the stove. The lower cabinet on the left of the stove will have most like be lost storage way in the back, but I can put things that I never (or almost never) use back there. But keep all your thoughts coming. You all are helping us a lot. This design is a first draft run through of the designers ideas (was my idea to put the uppers at 30” not his). The picture attached is the footprint we have now, bunch is closed off in inviting and horribly small. There was a bar on the front side of the peninsula, he changed it to cabinets for me and moved the bar to the end. We definitely don’t like this layout at all.

I'm function over form for the kitchen, so my pots and pans and some heavily used spices and lids and a utensil jar are all on the walls next to my range. These are all things that get touched/washed regularly, so not a lot of concern about grease. I have shelves further off (out of the grease zone) for decorative stuff and cookbooks. You have a lot of wall space going on to the sides of the kitchen. I'd skip 'decorating' next to the range and instead go all out with some dazzling art on those walls (plan ahead to light it).