We recently renovated a derelict property, so I'd never lived in it beforehand but had to plan from scratch. Sorry this is long!
Things I'd change:
-We have a Belfast/Butler sink which is great, but for some reason, the plug hole is woefully small! I wanted one of those baskets to collect debris which you lift out, tip in the bin and put back in. If we put the tiny basket in, its blocked within seconds, so we can't use it! I'd never considered that the plug size must have various size options and ours is only about 4cm wide, not the 8cm or larger I was expecting- so do check this!
-We have an integrated bin. Its 60cm x 60cm but even so, we still need others and its just DH and me- no kids! Our integrated one I used for paper/cardboard, tins/cans and soft plastic as it has 3 sections. I then have a separate bin for general waste, then yet another for glass! Think about your own recycling in your area. Also, our integrated bin has a 20cm gap at the top. I was told that bin bags etc could be stored here on the thin, plastic lid part. Its so flimsy though that any part of the recycling that moves the plastic lid off the runners causes it to collapse! Its a PITA. I wish the bins came up higher and didn't have the plastic cover thing.
-I'd read about plinth storage drawers for tin cans etc. You need to have flat flooring, which we do, and despite having lots of other storage, these would have been so handy for bulk buys, dog food tins etc.
-Appliance garage! I'd never heard the term before doing our kitchen, but more storage for things like slow cooker, pressure cooker, mixer etc etc would be good.
Glad we did:
-Floor to ceiling cupboards. Yes, I need a little fold out step to get up there, but I can store lesser used appliances. Also no cleaning the tops of the cupboards of dust!
-Drawers in every cupboard to save bending down and foraging at the back of dark cupboards
-A previous property had 1 light in the centre of the kitchen. When washing up, the sink was always in the shadow of my body/head because the only light was behind me. Our new kitchen, we have multiple downlights, along with ones over the sink, island, plinth and under wall cupboard lights. They are all zoned and can be dimmed so if up in the night, its very muted
-I'm glad we didn't put a sink/hob etc within the island and left it clear
-We have multiple plug sockets put on every wall. You'd be amazed how many things could be plugged in- kettle, toaster, can opener, air fryer, slow cooker, rice cooker, mixer, phone charger etc etc.
-If you have a small gap in the cupboards, there is always a use- teatowels, folded step ladder or even a narrow wine rack!