Island design for small kitchen
25 Small Kitchen Island Ideas to Optimize a Compact Space
By
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel is an interior design expert who has covered architecture, interiors, and decor trends for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Lonny, and the American and international editions of Elle Decor. She resides in Paris, France, and has traveled to over 30 countries, giving her a global perspective on home design.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 10/29/22
Design by Alvin Wayne
Having a kitchen island has become a modern must-have, synonymous with the way we like to gather and entertain today. But not all kitchens have the square footage or layout to accommodate a large island equipped with acres of countertop space, extra storage, and seating for a crowd. Luckily, there are plenty of options for adding a small scale kitchen island suited to a compact space, optimizing functionality and adding style.
Check out these small scale kitchen islands in a range of formats and materials that will show you what a stylish and well proportioned kitchen island can do for your own small kitchen.
The Best Kitchen Islands for Stylish Storage
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01 of 25
Keep It Classic
Design by deVOL Kitchens
This small British kitchen island from deVOL Kitchens has classic lines that work with the simple Shaker cabinetry, and a butcher block top that adds a rustic note.
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02 of 25
Make It Multipurpose
Design by Space Factory / Photo by Hervé Goluza
This small Parisian kitchen island from Space Factory has a deep teal painted base that matches the lower cabinetry, a sleek integrated inversion burner cooktop, and seating for two.
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03 of 25
Put It on Wheels
Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Josh Franer
This small kitchen island from Leanne Ford Interiors has a black metal base that echoes the large arched window panes, adding a graphic note while preserving the airy and open feel of the space. Adding wheels to the legs of your small kitchen island makes it easy to move around as needed, a welcome bonus in a smaller space.
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04 of 25
Make It Glamorous
Design by Michelle Gerson Interiors / Photo by Marco Ricca
Just because it's small doesn't mean it can't be glamorous. This modest sized NYC apartment kitchen island from Michelle Gerson Interiors is comfortably set up for two, with upholstered seating, a waterfall edge countertop, and a brown wood base that echoes the lower cabinetry.
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05 of 25
Add Vintage Vibes
Design by Basic Projects / Photo by Kate Towill
This small kitchen island from Basic Projects has a rich stained wood, semi-open base and a marble top, helping to structure the open-plan kitchen while adding vintage vibes that complement a French range and echo the dark hardwood flooring.
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06 of 25
Treat It Like a Color Accent
Design by Becca Interiors
This small wood kitchen island from Becca Interiors has a wood top and a pale sage green painted base that works as a subtle color accent in the neutral room. A pair of vintage metal stools enhances the chic country inspired vibes.
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07 of 25
Add a Pull-Out Dining Table
Design by Space Factory / Photo by Hervé Goluza
The narrow kitchen island in this tiny Paris studio from Space Factory has an OSB finish and a space-saving white dining table/bar for two that slides in and out.
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08 of 25
Oakland Highrise
Design by Forbes + Masters
This small highrise kitchen island from Forbes + Masters floats in the center of an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living room, helping to structure the space. Built-in storage and waterfall edge countertops that give it a polished and elegant feel despite its modest proportions.
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09 of 25
Source a French Butcher Block
Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer
Before there were kitchen islands, there were farm tables and classic French wooden butcher blocks like this one from Marie Flanigan Interiors that functions like a small kitchen island while adding some French country character to the modern space.
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10 of 25
Color Drench It
Design by Space Factory / Photo by Hervé Goluza
This small Parisian kitchen island from Space Factory features dining space for two and an induction cooktop. The base is saturated in a vibrant deep shade of International Klein Blue that plays off against the natural accents and black-and-white patterned tile floors.
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11 of 25
Play with Materials
Fantastic Frank
This small kitchen island from Fantastic Frank has a plywood-clad mini island on wheels that adds a raw and informal vibe to the open plan space.
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12 of 25
Square It Off
Design by Erin Williamson Design
Who says your kitchen island has to be rectangular? This square kitchen island from Erin Williamson Design has a thick marble top and slim metal legs that don't take up much visual space in a classic kitchen with navy painted cabinets and classic checkerboard floor tiles.
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13 of 25
Keep It Minimalist
Fantastic Frank
This small kitchen island from Fantastic Frank floats in the middle of this minimalist Scandi-style eat-in kitchen, skipping the bar stools in order to leave plenty of space around it for circulating. An adjacent dining table provides a place for meals by the window.
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14 of 25
Keep It Minimal
Design by deVOL Kitchens / Photo by Ellei Home
This minimalist British kitchen from deVOL Kitchens has a classic look with a wrap-around pegboard wall hooks for hanging pots and plants, and a small wood clad, marble topped kitchen island for prepping meals.
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15 of 25
Warm It Up with Wood
Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Christy Q. Photo
In this Danish-inspired San Francisco kitchen from Cathie Hong Interiors, a small kitchen island is clad in warm wood to add contrast with the black-and-white palette and stainless steel appliances.
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16 of 25
Add a French Country Accent
Design by Jessica Nelson Design / Photo by Carina Skrobecki Photography
Adding French-style wooden bar stools and a sparkly chandelier gives this small kitchen island from Jessica Nelson Design a French country vibe that's easy to live with and will outlast trends.
The 8 Best Bar Stools of 2022
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17 of 25
Add a Vase of Tall Branches
Design by Alvin Wayne
In this NYC kitchen, interior designer Alvin Wayne added fur throws to the bar stools and a vase of extra tall branches to the top of the small kitchen island that draws the eye up, emphasizing the tall ceilings rather than the limited footprint.
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18 of 25
Paint It Blue
Design by Studio Peake
This mobile kitchen island from Studio Peake is painted in the same deep teal as the lower cabinets, adding saturated color to the traditional lines and warm wood finishes of this classic British kitchen.
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19 of 25
Add a Farmhouse Vibe
Design by Jessica Nelson Design / Photo by Carina Skrobecki Photography
This turned wood kitchen island from Jessica Nelson Design adds a homey farmhouse-inspired element to an all-white kitchen. The bottom shelf offers a place for storage and display while keeping an open feel that allows light and air to flow.
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20 of 25
Go for the Gold
Fantastic Frank
This Stockholm apartment kitchen from Fantastic Frank has white walls and minimal Scandinavian vibes that allow a gleaming gold island to take center stage. The eye-catching island is not only decorative but a piece of multifunctional furniture that manages to house a sink, induction stovetop and oven on one side, with seating for two on the other.
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21 of 25
Include Open Shelving
Design by Julian Porcino
Interior designer and real estate agent Julian Porcino designed a custom island for this Venice Beach, California bungalow that features drawers on one side and open shelving on the other. The open shelves leave just enough extra storage space to tuck in a pair of backless bar stools for casual meals or taking a load off while shelling peas or waiting for the pot to boil.
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22 of 25
Add Rustic Wood Cladding
Design by Mindy Gayer Design Co.
A small kitchen island clad in a dark stained wood adds a neo rustic element that grounds this compact kitchen from Mindy Gayer Design Co.. The air space above the island is anchored by woven pendant lights that emphasize the high ceilings of the relatively small kitchen area, making it feel more expansive.
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23 of 25
Bling It Up
Design by Alvin Wayne
A small waterfall edge island from interior designer Alvin Wayne gets a dose of high-energy bling with shiny gold bar stools that reflect light and add a sense of grandeur to a modest space.
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24 of 25
Go Industrial
Design by Laquita Tate Interior Styling & Designs
An affordable alternative to a fixed kitchen island is a freestanding restaurant-style island that you can pick up at a kitchen supply store. This one from Laquita Tate Interior Styling & Designs has a sturdy countertop and open metal shelving with a light profile that helps keep the small space from feeling cramped.
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25 of 25
Keep It Light
Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Margaret Austin Photo
A pale-toned kitchen island in this L-shaped, Japandi-style kitchen from Cathie Hong Interiors offers seating for three without encroaching too much on the open plan space.
15 Small Kitchen Island Ideas That Inspire
The Epicenter
1/15
There are a lot of challenges to having a small kitchen: a lack of storage space and cramped countertops, to name just a couple.
In this contemporary country kitchen by Diana Kennedy Interiors, the island is central to correcting these issues. The top is wide enough to slice and dice on one side, while you can chat with company seated on the bar stools on the other side of the tabletop. Beneath the butcher block top, there are large shelves to tuck away kitchen essentials.
Related: 15 Fresh Takes on the Eat-In Kitchen
Diana Kennedy Interiors | Diane Anton Photography
Basket Case
2/15
Use baskets on the shelves of a small kitchen island for a sensible and attractive way to hide clutter in plain sight. In this kitchen by Woods of London the baskets add texture and warmth amongst the stone countertops and high-gloss cabinets.
Woods of London
A Traditional Touch
3/15
Sometimes plopping an island into the middle of a kitchen isn’t practical, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the additional workspace or breakfast nook.
Designs by Gia incorporated a short peninsula into this small kitchen. It provides a little extra space without hindering the flow of the room.
Designs By Gia
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Tuck It Away
4/15
Just because a kitchen island is small, doesn't mean it can't offer ample storage. This island by Acme Furniture has drawers, cabinets, and shelves for storing ingredients, utensils, and other supplies. Since the entire island is on wheels, you can load up the cart and take the goods from the kitchen to the dining room without making multiple trips. Available from Target; $219.99.
Related: The Best Kitchen Islands Under $500
target.com
Modern Beauty
5/15
Consider adding a small kitchen island to amp up your style. The simple straight lines of this island add a modern edge to the elegant white kitchen by Rachel Madden Interiors.
Rachel Madden Interiors
Hot Wheels
6/15
A small island on wheels is the ultimate way to get more space without wasting precious real estate.
Jen Woodhouse offers the details on constructing your own moveable island. Roll it into place when you’re cooking or baking, and then wheel it away when you need to make room for a crowd.
Jen Woodhouse
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From Farm To Table
7/15
Looking for a spot to fit in a kitchen table? Consider adding a piece of furniture that can do double duty as a table and a kitchen island. Fluidesign Studio opted for a high-top table in the center of this kitchen instead of installing a traditional kitchen island. The piece amps up the farmhouse industrial vibe while providing a very practical place to sit and eat.
Fluidesign Studio
Small But Mighty
8/15
The storage compartments on this kitchen island may be tiny but they pack a lot of function within their small dimensions. Only 33.86-inches by 22.83-inches by 15.75-inches, this island manages to hold a slim drawer, a wine rack that can fit four bottles, a wire basket for fresh produce, and a bottom shelf.
Form wasn't forgotten for function, either. The piece has a sleek granite slab top and is available in gray, green, or white. Available from Wayfair; $269.99.
wayfair.com
A Bright Spot
9/15
This island might be tiny, but it sure steals the spotlight. By hanging an eye-catching light fixture above the island, the functional workspace becomes the focal point of the kitchen.
Related: 25 Illuminating Lighting Ideas for a Beautiful Kitchen
Sweeten
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In Plain Sight
10/15
Corey from Sawdust 2 Stitches came up with a clever solution for hiding the uglier parts of a working kitchen. She transformed an outdated cabinet into an island with fold-out cubbies for the garbage cans. With wheels on one end, Corey can move the island out of her small kitchen and keep it in the adjacent hallway when it's not needed.
Sawdust 2 Stitches
Two Tones
11/15
A small kitchen island is a good place to add a pop of color to the kitchen.
The Kitchen Company does just this in this warm neutral-colored kitchen. The olive island is just as soothing as the cream cabinets while the white marble island top compliments the black countertops in the rest of the kitchen.
The Kitchen Company
Separate Space
12/15
In an open floor plan, rooms blend into one another. That's a great feature when it comes to entertaining, but it poses a challenge when you want to create definition between distinct living and work spaces. In this transitional kitchen by 514 Design, the island isn’t just a workspace but it also acts as a buffer between the kitchen and living area—and even though it wasn't built with the rest of the house, it fits right into the design of the kitchen.
514 Design
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Straight and Narrow
13/15
A long and slim island provides additional countertop space that many space-starved homeowners want in a kitchen. In this kitchen by Kelley & Company, the tall butcher block topped island is a go-to spot for meal prep, and the spacious open area below makes it easy to add a stool or two.
Kelley & Company
Shelve It
14/15
A standalone island can inject new energy into the room. The lintel-oak colored top and white base of this island can fit in with a range of styles from chic beach to farmhouse fresh. Its diminutive size doesn't detract from its offerings. This unit has a utensil drawer, storage cubbies, wine rack, and ample leg room to pull up two chairs. Available from Wayfair.com; $289.99.
wayfair.com
Sit and Store
15/15
Get your island to do a little bit of everything. Crafted by Salisbury Artisans, this stunning wood island has open storage, closed storage, and a place to sit.
Salisbury Artisans: Fine Furniture built by David Bowen
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20 Small Kitchen Island Ideas
Just because your kitchen is modest doesn't mean you have to give up all the amenities that a kitchen island brings. First, a smart kitchen island is the perfect way to expand your cooking area, which can also be used as a dining area and even mate with a narrow breakfast bar. Secondly, the island allows you to get additional storage space for numerous kitchen utensils. And believe me, even in the tiniest kitchen, the problem of the island can be solved with grace and ingenuity! nine0003
What's more, finding smart and functional solutions for small spaces is one of the biggest trends in interior design today. Today we'll show you 20 ways to create a small kitchen island that can enhance the aesthetics of your small kitchen.
Square and Homemade Kitchen Islands
When it comes to large kitchen islands, they are most often rectangular in shape, where the length of the countertop is much greater than the width.
At the same time, small kitchens can benefit from small square-based islands that are both ergonomic and visually intriguing. Put this island on casters and you have a handy mobile option that you can remove from the center of your kitchen whenever you need extra space! nine0003
You can also use a butcher's block or a stylish wooden table, restored or made by yourself, as a modest kitchen island. This approach helps to give the kitchen a cozy rustic aesthetic.
Custom Kitchen Island Shapes
Small kitchen islands definitely offer more form and function than large kitchen islands. Narrow rectangular, round and even octagonal - choose what you like best, just do not forget to take into account the ease of movement and the overall layout of your kitchen. nine0003
Remember that in addition to an extra countertop, a kitchen island can also provide plenty of extra storage space. And if you don't need it, it can always be converted into an open section to accommodate decor or to hide kitchen chairs.
Small kitchen island with a canopy
A small kitchen island with a beautiful canopy will serve as a wonderful corner for breakfast and simple friendly gatherings. Note that the most reliable material for such canopies, as in the photographs below, is natural or artificial stone. nine0003
As we can see, the concept of "small kitchen" is quite subjective, and what may be small in one room may simply not fit in another. However, no matter the size of your kitchen, there is always a smart way to give you extra work and storage space. We hope you found a useful idea for this in our article!
How to replace a kitchen island? 7 ideas for a small kitchen - INMYROOM
Tips
Chest of drawers, showcase, compact model on wheels – we choose a worthy alternative to a kitchen island and fight for functionality and saving the family budget
Maximum functionality is the golden rule for arranging a comfortable kitchen.
Kitchen cabinets, table, chairs and household appliances - it would seem that everything is ready for the culinary dream. But there is another addition, no less convenient: a kitchen island. If space or family budget does not allow to implement such an idea on a unique design project - do not despair! There are many compact and inexpensive options that will work in your small kitchen space. nine0003
1. Showcase island
Bring an element to the kitchen decor - a showcase island will help achieve the desired result. use small sideboard or the same chest of drawers only with open shelves. Here you can store only kitchen utensils, but also cookbooks, themed figurines and just beautiful service. Such a cupboard element is recommended to be deployed to the door. or to the dining room - beautiful and functional.
2. Island chest of drawers
Who said that the kitchen does the island have to be big? Being compact never hurt anyone, and for some will even become a lifeline.
Kitchen set in the form of a tall chest of drawers or non-standard cabinets are suitable for storing dishes and other utensils, and the upper part will be a bonus countertop for cooking. Attach the hooks to the side great place to store towels and an apron. nine0003
3. Invisible island
Want more free space in a small kitchen, but don’t want to give up the “island” either? I have an idea: the invisible island will be the solution to a difficult problem. Use it during cooking dinner, and then hide it: the island will become part of the kitchen headset. A separate pull-out locker, which will be hidden behind a common countertop, will play the role of storage space and additional work area, while saving a lot of space.
4. Transformer island
He designed, like a transforming table, to bring functionality into your life without requiring a lot of space. Surely, you have a table-book at home - just the same, he will become a lifesaver for you. Need a more compact easy and functional option - look for your "island" of salvation.
It could be a narrow table with additional folding tops or a model that can be completely folded and hidden behind the door or on the loggia.
5. Table island
In our opinion, one of the most common and versatile options. For a small kitchen choose a square or rectangular model. Round or oval will take up much more space. Since our task is to use the space according to maximum, provide at the bottom of the table, along its perimeter, a solid shelf. Put a few wicker boxes there - the storage space is ready.
6. Island counter
High table - separate subject for conversation. After all, it can be used not only as a working zones. Complement it with comfortable bar stools - and you will get an excellent bar stand-island. Make sure that there are no large shelves and drawers at the bottom of the table. AT otherwise, sitting behind him will not be too comfortable: the legs will rest, creating discomfort during the meal. nine0003
7. Island on wheels
Kitchen island on wheels can have a different design: a large or small table, a chest of drawers or a sideboard with showcases.
