But while a well-planned layout offers much enjoyment, a poorly planned island can be frustrating. This is particularly so if there is insufficient space for an island to begin with. If you’re considering a kitchen island, follow these tips to help you to work out whether you have enough space to make an island work for you… and, if you don’t, discover what else you can try.
aegis interior design ltd
One size doesn’t fit all
When it comes to kitchen islands, don’t assume that if your kitchen space is small that an island won’t be possible, or you can’t include the options you want.
There are many possibilities for making an island work, even where space is limited, and most kitchen companies will offer reduced depth, bespoke height, or extra-large units tailored to suit a specific design and the space it is intended for. For example, this vibrant blue kitchen island comes complete with wheels for flexibility.
Get an interior designer’s tips for lighting your kitchen island beautifully
When it comes to kitchen islands, don’t assume that if your kitchen space is small that an island won’t be possible, or you can’t include the options you want.
There are many possibilities for making an island work, even where space is limited, and most kitchen companies will offer reduced depth, bespoke height, or extra-large units tailored to suit a specific design and the space it is intended for. For example, this vibrant blue kitchen island comes complete with wheels for flexibility.
Get an interior designer’s tips for lighting your kitchen island beautifully
LWK Kitchens London
Determine your clearance zone
When clients ask if they have room for an island we designers must consider factors such as how many people live in the house and how they use the space. But first and foremost we need to know the size of the room. For example, in a rectangular room space that’s 5m wide by 6m long such as this one, the main run of units would be positioned along one of the walls. The depth of the units from the back wall to the front of the units will measure 650mm (this is typical for most kitchen brands but dimensions can range from 600mm to 700mm). Within the design you should leave a gap between the worktop edge on the back run of units and the island’s worktop edge. This space between the two working areas forms part of the island’s ‘clearance zone,’ the space surrounding the island. The ideal distance for the clearance zone is 1m. This is best for enabling free and safe movement around the island and kitchen.
When clients ask if they have room for an island we designers must consider factors such as how many people live in the house and how they use the space. But first and foremost we need to know the size of the room. For example, in a rectangular room space that’s 5m wide by 6m long such as this one, the main run of units would be positioned along one of the walls. The depth of the units from the back wall to the front of the units will measure 650mm (this is typical for most kitchen brands but dimensions can range from 600mm to 700mm). Within the design you should leave a gap between the worktop edge on the back run of units and the island’s worktop edge. This space between the two working areas forms part of the island’s ‘clearance zone,’ the space surrounding the island. The ideal distance for the clearance zone is 1m. This is best for enabling free and safe movement around the island and kitchen.
LWK Kitchens London
Consider safety
A safe distance for your kitchen island also includes clearance between opposing units so that all doors, drawers, ovens and dishwashers can be opened safely and without obstruction. The most potentially dangerous item is always the dishwasher door. These open downwards so if you walk past, and particularly when carrying knives or hot food, you risk tripping, falling and hurting yourself or others. As such, it’s best to leave more space. The minimum distance you should allow between two fully extended drawers on opposing runs is 900mm.
A safe distance for your kitchen island also includes clearance between opposing units so that all doors, drawers, ovens and dishwashers can be opened safely and without obstruction. The most potentially dangerous item is always the dishwasher door. These open downwards so if you walk past, and particularly when carrying knives or hot food, you risk tripping, falling and hurting yourself or others. As such, it’s best to leave more space. The minimum distance you should allow between two fully extended drawers on opposing runs is 900mm.
Morph Interior Ltd
Tailor-make your kitchen island
This kitchen island combines both seating and storage. This could have been challenging because the units on either side of the kitchen restrict the island to a maximum depth of 900mm – tricky to fit storage and seating into.
As a solution, the designer chose to make the depth of the island units in the foreground of the image 600mm – the largest depth possible to allow the 300mm knee space necessary for the under-counter seating. Together, this arrangement makes up the island’s 900mm maximum depth.
The far side of the kitchen island includes matching 600mm deep units on one side of the island. But rather than using the surplus 300mm space at this end of the island for seating, the designer has instead added 300mm reduced-depth base units. These are half the depth of standard units so neatly fit the available space, while providing extra storage.
This kitchen island combines both seating and storage. This could have been challenging because the units on either side of the kitchen restrict the island to a maximum depth of 900mm – tricky to fit storage and seating into.
As a solution, the designer chose to make the depth of the island units in the foreground of the image 600mm – the largest depth possible to allow the 300mm knee space necessary for the under-counter seating. Together, this arrangement makes up the island’s 900mm maximum depth.
The far side of the kitchen island includes matching 600mm deep units on one side of the island. But rather than using the surplus 300mm space at this end of the island for seating, the designer has instead added 300mm reduced-depth base units. These are half the depth of standard units so neatly fit the available space, while providing extra storage.
Home Architecture
Squeeze an island into a smaller kitchen
Islands can vary in size and shape but the minimum recommended size of a fixed kitchen island is 1000mm x 1000mm, as pictured above. Although small, these dimensions still allow for a practical working island, including the option of integrated appliances.
An island of this size would require a minimal clearance zone of 800mm. This is the smallest possible distance for achieving safe and unobstructed passage. A clearance zone of this distance would be suitable for one person working in the kitchen but not, ideally, for two, as the space would feel cramped and could be hazardous.
Get a builder’s tips on making the most of your small kitchen
Islands can vary in size and shape but the minimum recommended size of a fixed kitchen island is 1000mm x 1000mm, as pictured above. Although small, these dimensions still allow for a practical working island, including the option of integrated appliances.
An island of this size would require a minimal clearance zone of 800mm. This is the smallest possible distance for achieving safe and unobstructed passage. A clearance zone of this distance would be suitable for one person working in the kitchen but not, ideally, for two, as the space would feel cramped and could be hazardous.
Get a builder’s tips on making the most of your small kitchen
LWK Kitchens London
Plan a multi-functional kitchen island
Fitting a kitchen island into a small space can prove extremely efficient if it is planned from the outset as a multipurpose workstation. An example is this small grey island design with seating, pan drawer storage, an integrated wine cooler, worksurface space and an induction hob for cooking. There is also an overhead pendant extractor, which saves on space elsewhere in the kitchen. The layout is well considered to accommodate the owner’s needs, while also maximising on the limited room space.
Fitting a kitchen island into a small space can prove extremely efficient if it is planned from the outset as a multipurpose workstation. An example is this small grey island design with seating, pan drawer storage, an integrated wine cooler, worksurface space and an induction hob for cooking. There is also an overhead pendant extractor, which saves on space elsewhere in the kitchen. The layout is well considered to accommodate the owner’s needs, while also maximising on the limited room space.
Stephen Graver Ltd
Stay in proportion
The average size of a kitchen island is 1000mm x 2000mm. This would typically have a surrounding clearance zone of 1000mm. But an island’s size is usually determined by the distances around it, so it makes sense that larger rooms can allow for bigger islands. The design of the large island in this kitchen works beautifully, and makes an eye-catching statement – but something too large for the room could spoil your kitchen’s aesthetic. A good kitchen designer will help you to determine just how large you should go.
By not keeping an island’s dimensions proportionate to its surrounding space you also risk creating a cramped environment with an impractical and inefficient workflow. Even navigating around an island can become a chore if it’s too big. Also, in a larger space, it might seem logical to allow a wider walkway between the island and work surface opposite – there is a drawback to this, however: a clearance zone wider than 1200mm means your layout will become less comfortable to use as the gap between island and worktop starts to feel less user-friendly.
The average size of a kitchen island is 1000mm x 2000mm. This would typically have a surrounding clearance zone of 1000mm. But an island’s size is usually determined by the distances around it, so it makes sense that larger rooms can allow for bigger islands. The design of the large island in this kitchen works beautifully, and makes an eye-catching statement – but something too large for the room could spoil your kitchen’s aesthetic. A good kitchen designer will help you to determine just how large you should go.
By not keeping an island’s dimensions proportionate to its surrounding space you also risk creating a cramped environment with an impractical and inefficient workflow. Even navigating around an island can become a chore if it’s too big. Also, in a larger space, it might seem logical to allow a wider walkway between the island and work surface opposite – there is a drawback to this, however: a clearance zone wider than 1200mm means your layout will become less comfortable to use as the gap between island and worktop starts to feel less user-friendly.
Horrigan O'Malley Architects
Go for a galley island layout
Chefs typically prefer a galley kitchen layout for safety and ease of use – and this is something you can adapt to include within an island kitchen layout too.
The galley island layout, as seen in this kitchen, allows you to stand at the island but turn at the spin of a heel to reach the workspace behind. In a well-executed design this will allow safe and easy access to all work surfaces, cupboards and appliances during cooking. But beyond a clearance of 1200mm most users would have to pivot and then step to reach the opposing worktop. This creates a disconnect between the two spaces and can make the kitchen feel laborious to use.
Chefs typically prefer a galley kitchen layout for safety and ease of use – and this is something you can adapt to include within an island kitchen layout too.
The galley island layout, as seen in this kitchen, allows you to stand at the island but turn at the spin of a heel to reach the workspace behind. In a well-executed design this will allow safe and easy access to all work surfaces, cupboards and appliances during cooking. But beyond a clearance of 1200mm most users would have to pivot and then step to reach the opposing worktop. This creates a disconnect between the two spaces and can make the kitchen feel laborious to use.
Kedleston Interiors
Ensure your worktops will fit into your home
As well as working out if an island will fit your kitchen space, consider, too, the worktop size it will require. Some worktop materials have a maximum size limit before incurring a visible join, which you may prefer to avoid.
But – and this may sound obvious – do check that your chosen worktop will physically fit inside your house and into the kitchen before you order it. If, for example, your kitchen can only be reached via a narrow flight of stairs or winding passageway, you might have no choice but to reduce the size of the island in order for the worktop to fit in one piece, and without the unwanted join.
As well as working out if an island will fit your kitchen space, consider, too, the worktop size it will require. Some worktop materials have a maximum size limit before incurring a visible join, which you may prefer to avoid.
But – and this may sound obvious – do check that your chosen worktop will physically fit inside your house and into the kitchen before you order it. If, for example, your kitchen can only be reached via a narrow flight of stairs or winding passageway, you might have no choice but to reduce the size of the island in order for the worktop to fit in one piece, and without the unwanted join.
Colin Cadle Photography
Investigate island-style alternatives
If you are set on a kitchen island but your space is just too small, there are various options.
The most dramatic is to rearrange your layout and open up the room to create more space. This might mean altering some of the internal structure, such as taking a wall down to make an open-plan setting or – planning permission allowing – building an extension.
That, of course, won’t be feasible for every kitchen though. So smaller-scale options include the use of butchers’ blocks, moving islands and trolleys – all great alternatives where there’s no space for an island. Eye-catching in their own right, these small island options can be extremely functional, offering extra storage space and work surface. They are also a much less costly option than a fixed kitchen island.
If you are set on a kitchen island but your space is just too small, there are various options.
The most dramatic is to rearrange your layout and open up the room to create more space. This might mean altering some of the internal structure, such as taking a wall down to make an open-plan setting or – planning permission allowing – building an extension.
That, of course, won’t be feasible for every kitchen though. So smaller-scale options include the use of butchers’ blocks, moving islands and trolleys – all great alternatives where there’s no space for an island. Eye-catching in their own right, these small island options can be extremely functional, offering extra storage space and work surface. They are also a much less costly option than a fixed kitchen island.
Paul Craig Photography
Break from the norm
When it comes to kitchen islands there is a multitude of possible layouts, shapes and sizes to choose from.
You might choose a handleless style, which will take up less space than its handled equivalent, or perhaps go for a small island with raised breakfast bar, for extra height and worksurface. Or why not go for something really different – like this dramatic curved island, which will certainly make statement.
When it comes to kitchen islands there is a multitude of possible layouts, shapes and sizes to choose from.
You might choose a handleless style, which will take up less space than its handled equivalent, or perhaps go for a small island with raised breakfast bar, for extra height and worksurface. Or why not go for something really different – like this dramatic curved island, which will certainly make statement.
Yabsley Stevens Architects Ltd.
Consider a kitchen peninsula
Finally, there is the option of a kitchen peninsula rather than a full island. The word peninsula comes from the Latin for ‘almost an island’, and a kitchen peninsula shares most of the same appealing qualities as a kitchen island, but is fixed at one end. Peninsulas are a practical and functional choice for small kitchen spaces because, with one end fixed to a wall, they take up less kitchen floor space.
A peninsula also doesn’t require the same clearance as an island. For example, an average sized island of 2400mm x 1200mm would need a clearance zone of 1000mm. But a peninsula within the same space will only, of course, require that extra metre on three sides – giving you back valuable space.
TELL US…
Have you made an island work for a small kitchen space? Please share your experiences and images in the Comments.
Finally, there is the option of a kitchen peninsula rather than a full island. The word peninsula comes from the Latin for ‘almost an island’, and a kitchen peninsula shares most of the same appealing qualities as a kitchen island, but is fixed at one end. Peninsulas are a practical and functional choice for small kitchen spaces because, with one end fixed to a wall, they take up less kitchen floor space.
A peninsula also doesn’t require the same clearance as an island. For example, an average sized island of 2400mm x 1200mm would need a clearance zone of 1000mm. But a peninsula within the same space will only, of course, require that extra metre on three sides – giving you back valuable space.
TELL US…
Have you made an island work for a small kitchen space? Please share your experiences and images in the Comments.
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