Kitchen design: island vs peninsula?

[BlueDoors]

Five years into a solo renovation and I’ve finally worked my way to doing the kitchen. I have nobody to bounce ideas off and have permanent decision fatigue so hoping for some fresh eyes to critique these designs and help me choose if anyone can help please? For extra pressure, I have to order next week before the current sale ends although I’ve been working on the design for around a year now.

Island design: pros - can move around whole kitchen easily, convivial seating at island and sink placed in the most ideal spot, plus fridge/sink close to entry point to grab drinks. Cons - reduced width walkways and tv is behind two of the island chairs.

peninsula design: pros - more space in cooking area, better cabinet symmetry and at least one wall free to put a dog bed next to. Cons - sink in corner (or can move to face a wall which isn’t ideal), only one way in/out and have to walk right into kitchen to get a drink.

Just to note, the room has a wall at an angle which the software can’t depict, so it’s shown with a red line and I’ve placed the units staggered along this. I haven’t yet decided on the colour and other things like flooring etc, I’m deciding on layout first as this will partially dictate the overall cost. If anyone has any alternative ideas to make it work better, I’d love to hear them!

First photos peninsula design.

Island design.

The island is too small, I don't think it works.

In the peninsula design - why can't the sink go underneath the other window? It doesn't work in the corner. Can you move/ change the windows to give you more options?

Where is your fridge going?

Can the peninsula come off the other wall (i.e. the angled wall). What is on the other side of the wall that the peninsula is on - the bit that juts out?

What is behind you when sat at the peninsula? I.e. is there more space to play with or other options if we considered the overall space?

I love my island personally.

Just a tip, because no-one, the apparent diy expert stbex or the kitchen designer picked up on. Dont have your fridge next to your oven...... it will constantly freeze randomly due to getting confused with the heat coming from the oven so will work overtime 🙄

One quick thought: you won't be able to have that many stools. On an island or breakfast ba, you need to allow for a minimum of 60cm per person to sit and be comfortable.

Island. My peninsula is great for keeping the kids out of the kitchen but feels a bit anti social when I have friends over; it makes me feel trapped standing in the kitchen.

I have just had a new kitchen and after much debate Chose a peninsula over an island cos that is what made the most of the space. I don’t regret it. I think islands often work best when you have a very large kitchen and need to fill the space. Ps I haven’t studied your plan.

If you pick the island, don't put a sink or hob on it. Leave it nice and clear, much better for standing around it, especially when hosting

We put our hob on our island — cooking while talking to people is the whole point for us. I find putting sinks on islands a bit more mysterious.

Thanks for this - it’s given me a lot to think about.

on the peninsula design, if the sink went under the other window, it wouldn’t have a reasonable ‘working triangle’. I have thought about putting a second small sink somewhere closer with the full sink under the larger window to get around this though. I can’t move the windows unfortunately.

The peninsula is currently coming off the chimney breast and there are double doors behind it. If it was moved to the window wall, it would mean being boxed in by the units and wall behind.

In the peninsula design, the fridge and freezer are either side of the ovens. I’ve done this for symmetry.

I have an island currently but it has the sink on it and just ends up as a dumping ground for dirty crockery. I’m hoping this will be avoided by having the hob there instead.

I hadn’t realised that about fridges next to ovens! The peninsula design has the fridge and freezer either side of the double ovens for symmetry but the island design has them as you walk in on the bottom wall so that’s something to consider. Thank you!

This is one of my worries but does seem to make the best use of space. I’m so torn!

Thanks @Advocodo. It’s good to have the perspective of someone who has faced the same dilemma. I think a peninsula works better space wise, I’m just worried I’ll miss the ability to move around the kitchen in any direction. Have you found that to be an issue or not so much?

My hob is on the island. I love that the kids/friends can just sit and we chat whilst I cook. My island is near on 3m though.

This is exactly my thinking. I currently have the hob facing a wall so really looking forward to being able to stand and watch tv or chat to my teens as they often hang out in the kitchen when I’m cooking.

Also our kitchen designer insisted it be accessible all round for wheelchairs, I can measure my island to the back wall cabinets if you want. It does seem to be the perfect distance for people to walk behind you if needed

This is mine..... I had more giving better all round view but cant find them.

Your kitchen is gorgeous @CombatBarbie! Thank you so much for sharing the pictures. I liked the idea of an island with seating all around but I think linear seating could work well as on the peninsula design having seen your photos.

We had a peninsular in the old house and honestly it was fine - the only real issue was when the fridge door was open as it was placed to block the walkway.

We have an Island now and I have to admit I like the fact there are 2 walkways in the kitchen - so people can bypass the busy bit to get where they want to go....

100% no issue moving around the kitchen. I guess what I have is generally considered a U style kitchen which is basically the same as having a peninsula. Between the units I have 195cm gap whereas before I had 140cm and then I did feel hemmed in. My kitchen is part of what I would call a family room. It’s approx 6.6m in depth and approx 7m width. I wanted the kitchen to kinda of be zoned off as I have young grandchildren who I wanted to keep out.
i also have my fridge/freezer at the end, followed by a tall pantry cupboard then my double wall oven. You have to walk into my kitchen to get to the sink which is facing the wall, but again no problem. My job is on my peninsula which faces out to my guests and views of the garden. I think people get too hung up on the triangle work space.
what I did when planning was to go through the motions of making a cup of tea, taking stuff out of the oven etc etc.
Think about what is most important to you.
Feel your pain.

Should say ‘Hob not job’ on the peninsula!!

I dont really want people walking into kitchen when I am cooking etc.

We have a hob which is completely flush with the counter top so it serves both purposes

I'm not a fan of a peninsula for the same reason as @CrikeyMajikey gave. I much prefer an island and have chosen to have one in several previous kitchens we've redesigned.

Unfortunately we can't fit one in our current cottage due to a chimney breast between functional and dining ends of the room, but would have put one in if we could. Instead we have to make do with our vintage butchers block as I've grown so accustomed to prepping in the centre of the kitchen! Definitely no hobs or sinks on islands for me - I like a clear run of worktop space for prep.

Does the room open out onto an open plan bit? I don't really understand having an island or peninsular unless it is to sort of frame /section off the kitchen part of a larger room? Surely if you have people over they would want to sit somewhere more comfortable than a stool or at least have the choice to sit somewhere more comfortable?

Maybe I just unnecessary hate stools.

That’s a good idea for working out how it will flow. I’ll definitely try that.