^2020

We built a setup like in your first picture when we remodeled in 202, and I love it.

Definitely large island with counter height seating area.

When my kids were really small, I’d pull them up to the counter height table in their high chair. When they got bigger, we had a small IKEA kids table and chairs that lived in our kitchen where they sat for breakfast, snacks and lunch and we ate dinner at the dining table. It’s such a short phase, I wouldn’t design my kitchen around it.

Anonymous wrote:I like how the built in table looks. But bar height sucks if you have little kids. If you are doing this with a concern for resale, I’d do the separate dining room table. But I might add a larger overhang on the side with the table to give people the option of having bar seating there in the future.

We have a table built into our island, but unlike in your photo, the table top is the same material as the island top (granite). It's great for breakfast, lunch, and casual dinners. ES kids did homework at the table. When I have elderly aunts and my mom and MIL over cooking for big family holidays, they sit at the table for the prep work - much easier for them as far as prep work for cooking. Also easier for littles to help with baking.

Large island but recommend you find somewhere else for casual eating - even a small table somewhere. I don't like that second option, it's very strange.

Neither of these islands are bar height. Counter height.

I hate bar height, so I like the table

I think the first one is more practical than the second. Sure, it's taller and that is a fall hazard for the littles, but the nice thing is that it is more functional for things like making cookies or doing kitchen activities with the littles. And the bar height means you can cozy up a high chair sans the little tray, and its like the really little ones are at the table.

A built in table is nice if it is a giant kitchen where no one has to walk around the island to access the fridge, stove or sink. But it should be bar height.

I hate the look of the table attached to the island and if you are doing big cooking projects like holiday baking, pasta etc. it isn’t practical at all.

I like how the built in table looks. But bar height sucks if you have little kids. If you are doing this with a concern for resale, I’d do the separate dining room table. But I might add a larger overhang on the side with the table to give people the option of having bar seating there in the future.

We did large island. It’s a wonderful workspace. And we made the “shocking” discovery that we can meals in … the dining room!

Your second picture does not show for me. But island without built in table wins any day.

We are in the middle of designing our new kitchen. Originally we wanted an island + separate dining table, but we just don't think it's going to work with enough clearance. We are trying to decide between 1 large island with seating or an island/built-in table hybrid. I can sees pros and cons to each. I'm wondering if we do sell in the future (likely 5+ years), which would be most appealing to buyers and withstand changing trends. Some examples are below. Just crowdsourcing via DC Urban Mom. Appreciate any thoughts!

Large Island with Seating



Island/Table Hybrid