From what I can see, I agree with the others. This seems like a pretty good layout and if it's working for you, I don't see any reason to change it. The only thing I could see adding is a prep. sink by the window. My kitchen sink looks out over our patio/pool and I have to admit, it's really convenient to reach through the window and dump out a drink, or use the sink. That being said, we don't have a bar ledge, but instead have a counter-height patio table, which seems to work better. Instead of passing food through, and then walking around. I leave it on the counter, walk around, slide open the window, and grab it. The pass through is for just that, but when we're sitting outside, everyone has their back to the kitchen window and facing the pool, or watching the "Grill Master". Most of the homes around my area have ledges, but I have found that it's more, in the way, than useful, since we have to reach over the ledge and through the window, making the interior counters and sink, harder to access. The pass through window is actually 4' tall sliding doors. The benefit is that the window sil is completely flush, with the counter and pass through area, and both sashes, are moveable. As for your interior, the only think I might change, depending on what's on the other side, is instead of having the breakfast bar as it is, I would eliminate it and put one large island, with the cook top, that extends all the way to where the breakfast bar is now. The bar stools would wrap around the end, and one side, making for better conversation, as well.

My sink is in the island, with enough room on either side of it for prep. It may not be the neatest position, though we do try to load the dishwasher as we go along (and, in times of high crisis, as when we have guests over, the worst mess gets transported to the sink in the butler's pantry and the door resolutely closed on it). The thing is, I can do prep while looking into the lounge to watch TV, chat to guests, or even to my better half. We tend not to use the bench as a breakfast bar, but there's plenty of room for a couple of people to sit at it nursing their drinks and chatting with host or hostess, should they be of a mind to do so. It's probably not the height of elegance or decor, but it works for us....Might be different if the kitchen had a window, but since it doesn't, I'd rather look at better half than at the wall.

go for practicality..I love cooking and my kitchen is very functional..you'll be cooking washing dishes daily..it will drive you nuts if it's not practical.. my mum's got hers on one end...massive space for food preps..it's great.. the sink is towards the window the other end towards the dining end thus with stools people tends to congregate that end to talk or help with food preps.

Hi There, I'm a senior kitchen designer. There isn't a lot of information for me to go by to give you a lot of advice (as I might be about t suggest something to you that brings another problem with it) but I can tell you that I like the shape of the kitchen, however the flow is a bit mismatched. A couple of points to consider: - How many bedrooms is the house and how many people live there? Currently, where you have the fridge placed in relation to the sink means if you're entertaining guests or have children/teenagers in the kitchen to access the fridge while you are cooking they will cross the path of the cook making things frustrating and less efficient for you. To evade this, I actually recommend changing the orientation of the island. I don't have your exact measurements but based on what you have given I do think you've got more than enough room to do so. - As a result of changing the island orientation, I would recommend keeping the sink further to one end of the island. This way you have more of an area dedicated to seating/dining and one area more so to the dishes. The orientation I have suggested will also allow for additional depth as opposed to the standard 900mm - it will be harder to splash somebody with an island depth of 1200mm! Positioning the sink where I have it is a very social setting - allowing seating to be around the island so those seated are able to look at each other as opposed to being lined up. Those at the sink (And studies do show that you spend about 65% of your time in the kitchen at the sink) are facing the dining area square on but still being a part of the action in the lounge area is also a plus. - I've bought the oven tower back to the cooking zone. Kitchen designers like to work with dedicated zones to ensure as efficient kitchen as possible. You'll see I have noted the improved work flow on my basic and very messy diagram. Studies show that best work flow will be in one continuous direction to make the process more streamlined. I have grouped the food storage >> Prep area by the sink >> Cooking area >> Serving/plating area >> Cleaning >> and crockery storage. - Secondary sink? It doesn't need to be anything big, maybe just 300-350mm means when you are entertaining you can stack those dishes inside the pantry. It's an 'out of sight, out of mind' approach. It could also be very useful to you if that was where you are planning to keep the smaller appliances such as a toaster and kettle as you'll often need to wipe things down or rinse things out. Plumbing can be very useful in these areas! If you would like to chat with me further you can flick me an email, I'd be more than happy to help you further with any advice you might seek :) Emma Gamble em.gamble@hotmail.com