Help please. Big kitchen WITHOUT an island?

[TroublesomeTownHouse]

We recently moved. New kitchen is surprisingly lovely and cosy despite being a bit dated and a bit small.

We are planning to extend and have big doors into the garden BUT I don't want to lose the cosiness. It's weirdly made a big difference in that the teens are joining us for meals more (without the usual nagging from me) and we seem to be hanging out more as a family.

At the moment its a U with a table in the middle. Every picture or plan I look at has long run and an island with the table off to one side. I don't dislike islands but I love the big table being the focus.

Does anyone have a kitchen like that? I'd love to see pics / ideas.

Dining islands are a thing if you could also benefit from the island space/storage?

Lots of different designs and styles on pinterest.

There is no law to say you have to have an island! By a table that is not impossible to move e.g. not one made of granite, or it will be very similar to an island.

Thanks @1word. We need a BIG table for when lockdown is over. My family is big.

@Mosaic123 I know we can have what we like I just want some layout inspiration. We want to put doors where the bottom of the current U is so it will have to be all different and I just like looking at pinterest / kitchen websites for ideas.

Growing up, we always had a round kitchen table in the middle of the kitchen. I think that’s what people used to do.

Us too @Blueberries0112 but I guess its just not trendy any more!

I have a large island with 5 chairs and then a banquette seating area like the photo above. I think we could sit 12 round that if we wanted to! (We also then have a dining table 🤣)

Might be about to out myself to my friends if they read this but this is what my kitchen is based on (this isn't my actual kitchen but its very similar). Its a good mix of island and table.

Interesting @icedancerlenny. Are the island and banquette at the same height? Am trying to picture it!

Friends have something very close to this arrangement, they deliberate kept the kitchen area relatively compact, retained an island but used it to back into a dining seating area. It’s a nice arrangement, you get a large dining table without feeling too far away from the action in the kitchen.

Wow @HasaDigaEebowai that's stunning. A bit different to our current kitchen but I like the table being the focus.

Same idea @ComtesseDeSpair - island but with seating and a table as well. I like it.

Oh my I did not know those island/seating things existed.....!

an island is just a way for a kitchen company to sell you more stuff. I have a big kitchen and and island would be really irritating! A table can be moved, taken out, put back as your needs change.

Wow @HasaDigaEebowai that's stunning. A bit different to our current kitchen but I like the table being the focus.

It was the best solution for us. I wanted a big island but also a big table. The table is big enough to seat 10 plus also bar stools at one end so good for parties.

In our old kitchen we had a square of kitchen units and then a big kitchen table at one end of the room. Meant we could move it when needed - people could sit and chat in the kitchen and did.

But it also maximised cupboard space.

I like a table.

Have a look at Kirstie Allsopps Meadowgate kitchen - it is dreamy.

Our extension is very similar to the ons in the picture. Our island is large and we cook at it and sit at it every day. We also have a big dining table near to it for when we all sit down to eat.

I have a very big kitchen, if I ever re-did it I would get rid of the island (and it is one that seats four people).

I'm surprised how much I like the current U layout and I want to go bigger but not so big we lose the nice cosiness.

Yes love Kirsty's Devon cottage kitchen. I want that but a but more modern and more work top space!

We did this OP. I love it. I am moving soon unfortunatly and will miss this kitchen dearly.

We have a much bigger table in it now. It sits 10 people.

Whenever I see these pictures of seating backing onto islands with sinks, I imagine the poor people sitting there getting sprayed when you turn the tap on, forgetting that you’ve left a baking tray in the sink.

Wow @AdaHopper that's amazing! Love the ceiling height.

I think I just need to work out what I want and not be swayed by what is currently "the thing".

A big table in the middle of a U shape means walking round it all the time. It has no storage. An island provides storage and seating if you wish it to. We have a round table for 4 at the end of my large island. I’d never change that. Nearby we have a table that sits 8. But it’s no in the way of accessing kitchen units or equipment. So planning and using space is what matters.

I agree @HeddaGarbled. ALso so many islands with sinks - my sink ALWAYS has crap around it I am not capable of a tidy sink. Ruins the effect somewhat.