I agree with many of the comments on here in that if they really work in the space you have then why not? However they don't work for every space and other ideas can make the kitchen easier to work within and still have an impact. In our kitchen a peninsular worked best. It is 90 cm wide so I have kitchen units one side and on the dining side I have a long shelf for all my cookery books, drawers underneath that, and a cabinet for our water softener. There is an overhang at one end with stools for 2 people. I could have fitted an island in, but it would have ended up much smaller and less useful than the peninsular, with less storage.

We have a ceiling mounted extractor in a very large room and it works really well. We ended up with a Brittania BEST extractor (bought from John Lewis) simply because we have a structural steel running above and the position of the internal ducting fit best with that model, though it's a bit bigger than we ideally wanted. The slightly lowered section of ceiling around the extractor is also because of the steel and wouldn't otherwise have been needed. We were actually told that there is a minimum height, rather than maximum, for it to work properly - see http://www.besthoods.co.uk/2011/08/ceiling-extractors-8-things-you-need-to-consider-before-buying-a-ceiling-hood/ It's very powerful and we've had no issues with it. A family member has the pop up option and that has been a bit of a hassle - it's not that powerful and ends up getting dirty from cooking every time.

We have a kitchen similar to your design with the big island and no dining table and find it great - we cook a lot and having a big island that works as a worktop and a table for meals is great, if difficult to keep uncluttered. I would add that we do have a big dining table elsewhere for when we have guests, so you may want to consider if you have space for it elsewhere. Islands also provide with good storage, and you can always put a sideboard or dresser where the armchairs are in that design of you really need more, so wouldn't really go for the design with no island and no table. Never had a peninsula but I can see how it may not be very practical in such a big space. Best of luck!!

Thanks for the replies I see the point of freestanding island, and I'll check articles and pictures, however I liked the idea of the hob on the island because I do a lot of cooking and it would be nice to not have to stare at a wall all the time, and instead be able to look into the room, watch TV or chat to people if they are in the same room (which is not often to be fair, and soon it will be just 2 people in the house most of the time so it is purely for my own pleasure). I think that probably the only thing I am certain of is that the hob on the island is a must for me, or no point having an island. Opposite the oven there is a bulkhead and enough space to have reduced depths units, possibly a midi or tall larder and a standard height double drawer unit (the door is for the 'under the stairs' space. On the adjoining wall to the fridge there is a door to the utility room and then a window. By the way, the floor plan shown here is not complete, it just shows the kitchen area. Opposite the kitchen 'room' there is the whole of what was the dining room, with fireplace, with patio doors on one side and sofa on the other. The island would only be 70cm wide, and maybe 160/180cm long, I am concerned it will look more like a long desk. I am concerned that with island and table it will look too cluttered, not much room to move around and too close to the table, and with no island I may not have enough work surface (once toaster, microwave, kettle, coffee machine are sited on available space) I wish there was one specific reason to push me for one option over the other. I think I favour the no island design, but then I see pictures of islands which make me rethink that it could work better with the island. I cannot even go with "no island" then add one if I feel like it, as behind the islands the units need to be half depth in order for the island to work so the decision need to be made before ordering the units. Thanks for taking the time to read!