Plan it so you can install a slidein unit. Most cooktops of any worth are too deep to put an oven underneath it, you would have to put it along side. Not knowing what your dimensions are though I'm just guessing that you wont have enough room to do both, thats about 60" wide for that option.

I am in the process of remodeling my kitchen and originally we were going to go with the slide in method using the existing cabinets because the cost was a few hundred less than compareable cooktop/oven combos. We came across a great deal on a Jennair gas cooktop and went with that combo instead. Turns out we dumped the whole remodeling plan, knocked out a set of french doors, walled it up and put in a window, then put the cabinets there with the sink under the window, and an Island with the cooktop. We used Millspride maple cabinets. Its a much better plan and gave us much more useable space.

Welcome airam,

We've gone through a lot of the same thought processes as you. We put the sink by the window (always a good choice) and moved a cooktop from a peninsula to the outside wall. Obviously it's personal preference, but there were 2 reasons we like a range on the outside wall:

1. My wife loves to use the island (or peninsula) for other things, such as fabric cut-out for her sewing projects. It's nice to have a fairly large contiguous surface area.

2. Venting. We never were satisfied with venting provided by downdraft units. If you have room for an up-draft island vent, maybe that's OK. And maybe the downdraft units have improved over the years, but we've never regretted having a wall-vent range hood.

Obviously just for what it's worth....I'm sure you'll make the right decision for your own lifestyle...good luck,
k

i just finished designing/building my kitchen island. on the front side i have 2 cabinets taller than the rest of the island which hides the sink that i've placed in the center of the island with a dishwasher to one side and trash cabinet on the other. I chose to place the sink in the island instead of the oven for one main reason. I'm having an insert made to rest inside the sink opening to close it off, making a large flat top island that i can use for buffet serving or any other type of work surface. The oven would prevent that. Plus, venting an oven along the outside wall is always a good choice.

We have a cooktop in the center island in our kitchen. I wouldn't do it again because of the safety concerns with small children. With an island cooktop, you have two or three sides where little hands can reach up to grab hot pots, pans, and burner covers. If you don't often have small children in your home often, no problem.