Clearance comes first
The space around the island matters more than the island itself. If circulation is tight, drawers become awkward, oven doors clash with movement, and the room loses comfort. An island should support the layout, not dominate it.
Seating without compromise
Island seating works best when it feels intentional rather than squeezed into a leftover edge. Stool spacing, leg space, sight lines, and nearby circulation all matter. If none of those can be resolved well, a dining table or peninsula may be the better answer.
Storage inside the island
Islands are excellent places for drawers, serving storage, recycling, occasional tableware, and charging drawers. This is often what makes the island genuinely useful rather than purely decorative.
When not to add an island
If the room becomes cramped, the layout is fragmented, or the island blocks natural movement, it is not doing its job. Some kitchens become better, not worse, when the island is removed from the plan.