My island wasn’t intended for sitting at. I have the hob in it with large pan drawers under it and a 150mm pull out each side of the drawers. It’s perfect for my requirements. On the other side are deep drawers with hidden drawers inside. Four of them in total.

The hob faces the TV so for me it is all planned well for what I want.

I have a large oak island, which I kept as a free space with no hob or sink. But I put a pop up plug thing into the centre of it. it took from the clean surface and we never used it as had plenty of plugs in the units around the island. after a few years we had it removed but it was impossible to have the replacement wood match in exactly with the original. that's my only regret with my island

thanks barrecka. it's so easy to make mistake like that. we did on our old house with a set of sockets never used but annoyingly in full view.

No regrets, we done ours over a year ago. Got pan drawer, 3 stools so kids can do work while I'm cooking. Hob on island so I'm not looking at a wall and when cooking I'm looking out to garden. Sockets, high on underside of overhang so hidden.

Regret: did not make space for a couple of stools at the island, because I wanted to have as much storage space as possible. But people just love to hang out in the kitchen. I've put in a small bar table with two bar stools, so problem solved and it still looks good. But next kitchen will have seating at the island.

I love having both sink and hob in the island. If I had to choose: hob in island. It's just so nice to be cooking and not be with your back to the other people in the house.

We have a long Island with walnut around the L at one side for 5 stools. We sit at the island every day, youngest two do their home learning there (eldest upstairs in bedroom). We have a free standing microwave in a cupboard in the island (we leave the door open when is use & for 15 minutes afterwards) but no other appliances...we have a deep charging drawer which I wouldn’t be without as with 5 of us & all having phones/tablets/laptops (plus the spares!) it’s great to keep them out of site when on charge/not in use. At each end of the island we have a double socket so it is easy to use the mixer or plug in anything that needs charging whilst in use. Next to the island is our dining table.

Forgot to add I also have a pop up plug thingy in mine which is very useful as I tend to use the island for baking cakes and making pastry so it’s handy for a quick connection.

In one of my drawers I have a pull out ironing board. Very useful.

Thanks LTS this is great info. Any chance of a photo of the charging drawer please...Great idea but I've never seen one to know exactly what it is.

Our island (previous house) was exactly what we wanted. We had the tile made bespoke, solid beech block, octagonal shape. Seating for four of us and could fit in extras as needed. Clear surface, ideal gathering lint, and made a great bar for parties! No regrets.

Not sure where tile came from above! Should be top.

And point not lint. Typo day today.

Amazing! On my wish list now. Thanks

yes, we put a charging drawer in a new hall unit. I love it. it has stopped us taking our phones to bed with us. And has tidied away all the wires that were hanging out of wall sockets all over the house