You could always lower the section(s) of the counter where the chairs go to normal table height. Regular chairs with your feet on the floor are more comfortable.

Thank you...if you lower the eating area...would you keep the same surface or define it with a complimentary color/ stone?

Consider the focus point of the kitchen. İt is the spot which catches the attention the most. İn a kitchen, we have mainly two actions; eating and cooking. As i understand, yours is cooking because you have another eating room. You might consider keeping the eating area at the left side in minimum but enough sizes. The cooking area, the island should be larger at the right hand side, closer to the door.

The problem with entirely new rooms is just how generic & stable they feel to be in once all the new surfaces are in. What rooms like this lack is character...The island bench will be oppressive & rigid. How about you go and source some recycled timber you really connect with for a custom table...mix it up rather than go with a monolith...

The kitchen is the hq in a house, like the cockpitt of a plane. Most big decisions are made in the kitchen. So i suggest go soft, natural and calming, not cold, hard and alarming!

I hope that helps... :-)

At first glance I would suggest using two separate islands - one dine at, one work/prep station. With that, I would utilize two different countertop materials and cabinet finish. This will provide more "personality" and and open the traffic flow making the kitchen feel bigger. Also give you the opportunity to lower the dine at height if you feel the 6" less will feel more comfortable

With no measurements on the drawing it's not 100% clear, but it looks like you have only 3' between the island and surrounding counters, which is not enough.

In addition, you already have a generous number of cabinets specified; unless you are a very large family, you don't need the cabinetry underneath an island for additional storage. The purpose of the island in your kitchen looks like it would be to supply additional work area, and to allow people to come in, eat or converse in the kitchen.

The more modern approach is to place a narrower long work table, which can also optionally have chairs or stools on one side. On the other side, use a bench which can be stored underneath the table when not in use.

If you just want an island, narrow and shorten it, then add a 1' overhang with stools.

I am wondering about the section of wall on the lower left; what's behind it, and could it be removed. It would open up the kitchen and improve the flow. If you could open up the proposed table end of the kitchen, it would support an attachment to an island.

This dialogue is great, it's helping define why I am uncomfortable with the island layout...Studio Mk "The problem with entirely new rooms is just how generic & stable they feel to be in once all the new surfaces are in. What rooms like this lack is character...The island bench will be oppressive & rigid" ...that's my fear and aiming is what I hope will come with materials nd colors but the island seems oppressive...

Sstar93, the measurements are in cm and unfortunately the wall u mentioned backs into plumbing wall...I need the kitchen for both dairy and meat sets of dishes and cookware kept separately so that's why the storage seems too much (it is!)...so how to break up that rigid feeling in that one piec of cabinetry?
Do I keep a single island, do I round one side? Lower the dining area using warm table top wood? Any ideas about shape...and finally...is 1 meter (39") too wide for that space?

I can't tell you all how much this is helping to propel me forward , thank you all!

thanks elanabstone. I really can't read dimensions on your uploaded plan. However, this discussion is about the island only, and I think you should go with your thought of introducing a warmer element and a height break for a little seating area. It will be a more human space, where you can really enjoy being in the room. Many island seating options are basically a little bit uncomfortable, and so having real chairs would be nice.

Sorry i meant sterile not stable, my bad...typo

For the eating area, I would specify a wooden countertop at table height. The contrast with granite at counter level makes sense here, and wood is a much more comfortable eating surface than stone. (Stone really sucks the heat out of one's forearms.)