Extension: sink or sitting area by window?

[Tabyria76]

Hello! Can I get your votes in and experiences please?

We're just starting drawing plans for an extension. We're in a 3bed semi so this will be for the usual kitchen+sitting area+dining room.

We already have a separate living room that gets morning light and get cosy/darker in the afternoon, so I do not want a sitting area in the darker part of the extension as it would just be redundant. Instead, I'm very keen on a sitting area by a window, and possibly a window seat to allow us to enjoy the afternoon sun, for the kids to play in a brighter area etc. So it needs to be close to the garden. We can leave a utility or kitchen cupboards towards the darker back.

But I also love currently washing the dishes with a window overlooking the garden and I'm sad to let that go.
For those of you who have a sink facing the garden but further back in the extension: is it still lovely? Or do you regret it?

There is certainly a way to cram most things towards the garden, and to get the window above the sink + dining table parallel to wall and seating area but then I have to give up on the window seat as we need space for the sliding doors. It might even get too crowded that way... grrr.

Husband doesn't want the dining table at the back as he wants lots of light when having lunch and I get that.

Pros and cons of sitting area overlooking garden vs window above sink please! Will I regret loosing it?

I know it's all about compromises. Just want to make sure I make the right one.

Thanks everyone!

I have a sink facing a wall but with good lighting. If I'm at the sink I'm looking down into the sink to see what I'm doing, so don't miss being able to look out fo the window. Also I have a dishwasher.
I would prefer window daylight on the table area.

We've moved from a sink facing the wall (with the window at the side) to a sink facing the window.
I can't say I'm bothered by the "improvement".

What I do love about the new house is the sunny table we eat all our meals at. It is light in winter, and wonderful in summer with the windows thrown open.

Thank you! Window above sink has always be a thing for me, I wanted it before we ever bought this house and I enjoy it so much. I look up between each bit, it has really turned doing dishes into something pleasant. BUT we have a dishwasher, so how many minutes do I spend there vs dining table? Certainly not much.
My main worry is the sitting area. I hope we'll use it as we already have a living room. If it ended up not being used, then I'd strongly regret my sink with a view.

I didn't like a couple of houses we viewed that had the sink/kitchen window looking out to the side onto a wall rather than the garden. I realised how much I enjoy looking out at the garden when doing cooking and washing up!

But personal preference, and it probably wasn't enough to be a deal breaker if we'd loved the rest of the house.