Hi Lil, I believe your original plan works much better than the revised version. While the notion of ideal working widths is great, the larger problem here is the post. I worked on a project very similar to this last year where a post could either be connect to, or separate from the island. What we found was that by separating the island the space between island and post became very awkward. It's not enough of a space to comfortably walk through or be seated at the island in front of. Instead of your room feeling open and generous in proportion, it is going to start to feel cramped and awkward. We have a kitchen in our showroom (Kitchen Studio Tauranga NZ) with a 6ft gap between bench and back wall and it works wonderfully. It allows someone to work at the sink and a second at the island with ease. Stick with the original plan. It will feel a lot more spacious, without compromising work flows.

Hi! Number one is to make a space that makes YOU happy and works for YOUR family. Second - having sink or stove on the island means it is front and centre all the time, if cleanliness is something that worries you, then perhaps this isnt the best option. Third - I have seen bench top materials that mean a stove top can be seamlessly integrated underneath, this would solve the presentation issue as it would look like regular part of the bench and be easier to clean than a regular stove top Fourth - What is the layout of your space? Is through the kitchen used as a walk way for little ones? I always recommend that the stove be where the least amount of foot traffic occurs, to the side and out of the way! Good luck

Firstly, thank you all for your contributions! Very much appreciated. CP yes the floor plan has been quite divisive, it is quite a significant change from existing (kitchen currently at dining, stairs currently where powder room is) but my preference is for an open plan/kitchen as this is where we like to congregate as a family. The weird gap is to allow for separation from the cooktop as I am not sure if the 100 gap is wide enough and practical, as well as extended space for appliances (toasters etc) - though I do agree that storage in the island is probably just as good. The double doors I agree are troublesome. This is a strata complex in a heritage area, so getting approval to change these would be cumbersome, and we’re aiming to start works in February next year… Jess, a galley style certainly is an interesting idea! Would allow for a lot circulation and a lot more space. I think The island would be Provide for a bit more seating, correct? Though I guess I’m open to it, ultimately I think you are right - some advice (beyond everyone’s here which is so great!) may be needed. Dreamer, I think I am okay with 900 for circulation around the island - can always just go the other way! Siriuskey thank you for all of the input. Yes, it is a townhouse. The first designs is exactly what I was thinking, but a steam oven instead of a microwave oven. One thing I have always wondered is whether a 600mm bench for 600mm cooktop is enough? What about for pans and handle lids that might extend beyond the 600mm and therefore be hitting the back wall? The side wall (the one with the column) is also a concern. I like the idea of putting pantry/oven/fridge all on the left hand side, it will push everything on the wall side down. I would like the ‘dish washing’ sink to be on the cooktop side and the smaller sink to be on the island. Dishwasher on the cooktop side as well, which I think can fit.

I used to have a kitchen (my dream kitchen!) with similar layout. I think 900 is too skinny for the island, given it’s length and the size of your kitchen. If it were me, I’d make it at least 1000 - you won’t notice the extra width (ie where the long edge ends up in relation to the fridge) once you you put stools in front of it. I don’t know if it’s just your program, but I would definitely stack the sliding doors in the other direction. It should be a separate element in your design and you don’t want to have to dog leg around the island, even slightly, to go outside. I would roughly centre the main opening section in line with your passage, and people movement, and have the fixed section at the kitchen end. I think the position of the coffee station depends on what sort of coffee machine you’re planning in having. In my current kitchen the coffee machine requires the grounds to be emptied after every coffee…. And it’s a pain walking across the kitchen to empty the filter into the kitchen compost bin (the only space for it is near the sink) and to clean the filter in the sink. I agree 1200 is the max space between the island bench and the stove. Most of your food prep area looks like it will be on the island and a turn and one or two steps is all you want between it and the stove. Good luck with it. Hope it goes well.