I'd raise the height of the bar seating area to 42" or so with a 12-18" section of counter. It looks like there is plenty of depth.

As another option, you might consider added a soap dispenser that is mounted under the counter so that all you see is the pump. There are also a lot of accessories for sinks, like raised grids, that work perfectly for a dish drying rack!

Keep counter uncluttered and items under sink in cabinet, not on top. No ones does that, when sink in island.

I have the same set up and I keep a nice pottery dish soap container and a standing paper towel holder on the counter. Everything else is put away and it looks great. I wouldn't do a divider of any type.

I like the suggestions of the others but if that's not the way you roll, a long skinny fruit bowl or three medium sized vases with flowers or leaves, would help camouflage some of the mess.

I would put a raised bar in front of the sink. 42 inch height works well, I would also bring the kitchen cabinetry around the in the the form of panels to match the doors and tie the whole thing together, budget allowing. Go to Haylett Homes to see picture under under Settlers Ridge Custom Home

I would go with the soap dispenser mounter in to the island and I would hook it up with a dishwasher line in to a Costco size jar of soap!! Flowers something like this would work..

Yeah, these builders--they must not do dishes ever. Some of these things are just for flash and not thought out.

Are there cabinets on the kitchen facing side of the island? If so get a rollout Rev-a-Shelf and line it with one of those absorbent dish mats and put a small dish rack on it. Bed, Bath, and Beyond carries them. You could drop another small rack into your large sink. Install a paper towel holder elsewhere.

Make a special effort to keep your beautiful new kitchen uncluttered. Put dirty dishes in the DW right away and hand wash and dry other items and get them put up. No need to keep a dish rack on the counter.

Not sure if you would consider putting in a double sided sink. My kitchen is seen from the front door and when you add items into a rack in the second side they can't be seen. I also keep my scrubbing items there. Use a nice dispenser for your detergent vs the bottle and put paper towels on another counter in a corner. We place dishes into the dishwasher right away and it's forced us to keep a pretty neat kitchen, you fall into slowly and becomes a habit for everyone in the house. I would try those things before adding a divider.

Also, a useful article to read from HOUZZ... https://www.houzz.com/magazine/how-to-choose-the-right-kitchen-sink-stsetivw-vs~26869557

Absolutely agree about the raised bar area, you can opt for the same color of Corian or one that works with it to accent. You could even put something fun like crackle glass on the raised bar, wood, really just about anything! What it ultimately comes down to is how much you want to spend to hide that sink area - but a raised bar is a great option. Also, I LOVE those in-sink racks! Good luck!

Keep in mind that if you put in a raised bar you will be loosing a lot of functional counter space. If you don't bake or cook a lot, that my not be an issue and be a fantastic option. I just knocked out my raised primarily for the counter space. Yes, it hid the mess but a deeper and larger sink can help with that if you can't get to the dishes right away. As for the soap, have it installed underneath or get an attractive dispenser. They make holders for sponges that go inside the sink as well. And, a drying mat can easily come out for when you wash dishes by hand.

Thank you everyone for your helpful comments and suggestions. Much appreciated!

It's a shame to clutter up that beautiful space. Suggest you not do that and store supplies under the sink

I suggest you put in a bar sink on the island and the standard sink on the counter between the fridge and the pantry. Best of both worlds for you then.

Seems like a lot of folks opt for the sink-in-the-island concept. Just search for it on houzz, there are endless examples. I guess they just learn to keep unsightlies under the counter. It's another one of those trends that looks good on paper, but may not be so practical in reality.

Hello Everyone,

The raised bar is an excellent idea. Clutter is not my issue but water is because I have teenagers that don't always pay attention. I wanted a decorative divider that would stop the water from getting under the mats.

Mandy

I think you need a two level island. The sink a bit lower with the top level of the island camaflouging the lower. Also, I would use the dishwasher as my "drying rack" for those few dishes you hand wash - so that there is less clutter.