What size kitchen island

The Only Kitchen Island Space And Sizing Guide You Need – Forbes Home

Sizing Kitchen Islands
Kitchen Triangle
Other Considerations
Mobile Islands
Bottom Line

The never-ending availability of kitchen appliances and gadgets that make our life easier makes it easy to run out of space. But, even after optimizing your current space, you may need more. One solution for many homeowners is adding a kitchen island. However, a lot goes into planning the size and functionality. Plus, you’ll want to make sure it’s up to code.

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Sizing Kitchen Islands

Sizing your kitchen island requires you to consider the minimum and maximum recommendations, clearance around the island for getting around and seating and working requirements, if included.

Minimum and Maximum Dimensions

The first step in planning your kitchen island is determining the size. The minimum recommended size of an island is 2-by-4 feet. However, the island’s total area should be at most 10% of the kitchen area.

For example, if the kitchen is 150 square feet, the island should be at most 15 square feet.

On the other hand, height is pretty simple. An island countertop with no seating is generally 36 inches tall. Whereas an island that incorporates seating should be 42 inches tall.

Pro Tip: If you’re uncertain about your kitchen island size, put a table in your kitchen to get a feel for it. Cut a cardboard top the size of the counter you’re considering, and tape it to the table. Use books or scrap wood to get it to the right height. Now you’ll be able to visualize and get a feel for how your island will impact your kitchen.

Clearance Around the Island

You’ll want to make sure people can easily walk around the island. The industry standard is to include 36 to-42 inches of walking space around the island. This space also ensures cabinet and appliance doors won’t hit the island.

However, you must remember that the spacing behind any seating needs to be bigger. For the most part, 44 inches is enough space to allow someone to walk behind a seated person without needing to squeeze by.

For example, if your floor space is 108 inches wide, the max width of the island would be 36 inches. This would allow 36 inches of walking length on either side of the island.

Seating and Working Requirements

Finally, you’ll want to consider minimum seating and working spacing. A good rule of thumb is 24 inches per person. So a counter that is 48 inches wide will only accommodate two seats.

You’ll also need to consider knee space for the seating area. For 36-inch tall counters, you’ll want to plan for 15 inches of knee space, and for 42-inch tall counters, plan for 12 inches of knee space.

Working space is the space around work areas such as cooktops or sinks. For example, a sink should have at least 18 inches of working space on at least one side. A cooktop should have at least 15 inches on one side, 12 inches on the other, and nine inches behind it.

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Kitchen Triangle

The Illinois School of Architecture created the kitchen triangle in the 1940s. Their goal was to develop a standard for kitchen design that was efficient and cost-effective.

The basic idea is that the refrigerator, the sink and the cooktop are the three primary workstations. With this in mind, their arrangement should promote efficiency. Therefore, they reasoned that a triangle with legs no shorter than four feet and no longer than nine feet was the optimal arrangement.

Planning a kitchen island should include consideration for your kitchen triangle. For example, if your island will not have a cooktop or primary sink, make sure it does not protrude into your kitchen island by more than 12 inches.

However, if you are going to move the primary sink or cooktop to the island, figure out how it will incorporate into the existing work triangle.

Other Considerations

You will also need to consider lighting, outlets and ventilation for your island.

Ventilation

If your island won’t contain a cooktop, you won’t need any ventilation. However, you’ll need to plan for ventilation if your island will have a cooktop. You’ll have two options. The first is an overhead ventilation hood vented through a duct in the ceiling and out of the house. The second option is a downdraft fan that vents through a duct in the floor.

Note: If your kitchen is on a slab, installing downdraft ventilation is more challenging. The concrete slab needs to be broken to install a duct.

Lighting

Your kitchen likely needs lighting directed at the island. The three most common ways to add island lighting are recessed lights, track lighting and pendant lights. In any case, figure out if you can handle the lighting or if you need to bring in an electrician.

Receptacles

The National Electrical Code (NEC) has specific requirements for island outlets. First, all outlets serving a countertop need to be GFCI-protected.

Second, there needs to be one outlet for the first nine square feet, then an additional outlet for every 18 square feet. So, for example, a 45-square-foot countertop needs three outlets, and a 48-square-foot countertop would need a fourth outlet.

Note: At least one of the outlets can not be more than two feet from the bottom of the counter.

Mobile Islands

Another consideration is a mobile island. The benefit of a portable island is that you can bring it into your kitchen when you need extra working space and put it back when you’re done. However, you won’t be able to add any outlets to it.

Bottom Line

Kitchen islands can add a ton of functionality and aesthetics to your kitchen. However, poor planning can lead to impractical workflow, insufficient walking space or even code violations. To avoid this make sure you measure and plan thoroughly as well as contact your local building department for any applicable code requirements.

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How to calculate your kitchen island size according to experts

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The correct kitchen island size is key if the room is to function as it should and make food preparation and cooking efficient and safe. An island that’s too big can impede the flow around the room, or not prove as useful as it should, while one that’s too small can spoil your kitchen's style, and compromise its utility.

Your kitchen island ideas might make it an additional working area for the room, a place for the family to eat, or a feature where visitors gather, but whatever functions it fulfills, kitchen island dimensions are crucial to a great remodel.

We’ve asked the experts to share exactly what you need to know about calculating for your kitchen island size to ensure optimum style and function in this very important space.

Kitchen island size: the essentials

If an island is on your list of kitchen ideas, be mindful that it does require a relatively generous space. Is there a standard size you should aim for? The answer is no.

‘There really isn’t a typical island size because you are fitting each island to each particular kitchen keeping in mind the clearances allowed that let people walk around and open cabinets and appliances,’ explains Amber Carfield, lead designer at Scottsdale kitchen remodeler Kitchens by Good Guys . ‘A kitchen island should be custom built so there really isn’t a one-size-fits-all island.’

However, although there isn’t a standard kitchen island size, there is a kitchen island average size and this is 40 by 80 inches (around 1 by 2 metres).

A vital factor in a successful design is the space around the island. ‘I always make sure there’s at least 36 to 48 inches around the island for accessibility and maneuverability around the kitchen,’ says architect Jenn Smith . ‘Anything less and the kitchen won’t function properly.’

Think proportion, too. ‘Kitchen islands should take up between one tenth to one fifteenth of your overall kitchen area,’ says Volodymyr Barabakh, co-founder and project director of Fortress Home . ‘You therefore generally want to err on the smaller side in comparison to your overall kitchen floor space. One fifteenth of your overall kitchen floor space is what you want ideally.’

Can your kitchen be too small for an island? ‘In most cases, you should have a kitchen of at least 150 square foot (14 square meters) to comfortably have an island,’ says Volodymyr Barabakh. Don’t despair if your room is on the small side, though. For more compact rooms small kitchen island ideas can help you get the counter space you’re hankering after.

Where to start when planning kitchen island measurements

It’s important here to consider how your island will be used, as well as following kitchen island size guidelines.

‘I always begin the kitchen design process with a series of questions to the client,’ says Barry Schneider, owner of European Kitchen Center . ‘What is your family size? What is your family dynamic? What are your cooking and dining habits? Do you entertain, and how often?

‘The answers determine the kitchen flow and the passage size around the island. Typically, the passage will range from 39 inches (at the minimum) to 48 inches. I use the deduction method, where I subtract cabinet depth and passage length from the total space to deduce the island’s size. This method works well for medium to large kitchen spaces.’

DIYing a kitchen remodel? Plan in outlets. ‘An electrical outlet must be provided every 4 feet, including on an island (with GFCI protection),’ says professional engineer and certified home inspector Mike Powell, owner/trainer at Red Flag Home Inspection . ‘If electrical is not run to the island during the construction activities, it will prove a costly situation to mitigate after construction is complete.’

How big should a kitchen island be?

We’ve talked about the kitchen space, but what else is essential to know about the size of a kitchen island? Elyse Moody, kitchen design expert at Designer Appliances agrees that its proportions depend on the size of your kitchen, but she adds that also important is ‘whether you intend to use your island for prep only or as a seating area.’

As for kitchen island depth if it's to be used as a seating area as well as for other purposes? ‘For the depth, standard cabinets are 24 inches deep, so at a minimum, islands should be 42 to 48 inches deep. This allows for plenty of leg room and creates ample comfort while sitting at the island,’ says architect Jenn Smith

There’s another consideration that’s often missed in thinking about kitchen island size. ‘Many people dream of having a large kitchen island, but they fail to consider the maximum size that their countertop material comes in,’ explains architect Mona Ying Reeves, founder of Kickstart House .

‘Exceeding a standard size or length could add substantial cost to your island. Solid slabs often max out at 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3m) depending on the material, and butcher blocks are limited as well due to production and transportation constraints,’ she says.

Combing slabs can also create problems with seams. ‘Depending on the pattern, it may be really obvious where the seam is located and sometimes it’s barely noticeable. It all depends on the countertop color and pattern, plus the skill of the installer,’ explains Jenn Smith.

As we’ve discussed above, a large kitchen island design needs to take into account the slab size available for your chosen kitchen countertop. But if your kitchen is really large, it’s not only the countertop material’s length that should be considered.

‘Almost any kitchen island will naturally be proportional to the space, as the size is typically dictated by three sides of base and wall cabinets which will determine the length of the center island,’ says Jay Kallos, senior vice president of architecture at Ashton Woods .

‘If you have a really wide space where this guidance isn’t present, your guiding factors are what works aesthetically and ergonomically in the space. This might be an instance where two square islands in line work best by providing access at the midpoint of what would be an island big enough to park a car on without the break. For an extra deep kitchen, two parallel islands work really well, allowing one to be a “working” island and the other left to dining, studying or partying.’

Be sure to think about practicalities as well. ‘Your island shouldn’t be so wide that you can’t reach the center from both sides to clean,’ says Teri Simone, head of design for Nieu Cabinet Doors .

‘For length, it’s important to consider what the island is blocking access to. If the island is so big that you are walking a long way around to access elements of your working triangle, it’s too big.’

How much space should there be between the island and the counter?

When you’re thinking kitchen island size, the distance between the island and the counter is absolutely crucial.

‘If it’s just an island and you don’t have bar stools on one side, you need to have at least 3 feet (1m) and not more than 4 feet (1.2m) between the island and the surrounding counters or wall,’ recommends Elyse Moody.

‘If you have bar seating that traffic will flow behind, you need at least 4 feet (1.2m) of space behind the stools, between the island and the adjacent counters or walls.’

Mona Ying Reeves agrees: ‘Make sure you leave adequate walking and working room on either side. Local codes will dictate what those minimums are (typically 3 feet (1m)) and it’s good to leave more space (42 to 48 inches (1 to 1.2m)) for working areas where appliance doors open. ’

How much overhang should a kitchen island have?

If your kitchen island is used as a seating area, it will need an overhang. ‘A standard counter overhang is 12 inches (30.5cm),’ says Elyse Moody. ‘Whether or not it needs support underneath depends on your countertop material.’

Jay Kallos agrees. ‘A good overhang for eating is 12 inches (30.5cm) but, as with anything, an even deeper overhang is better.’

Ben Neely, owner/president of Riverbend Homes also favors sizing up the overhang. ‘Make sure there is at least 14 inches (35.6cm) of overhang for seating,’ he recommends. ‘This should allow you to fully push any style of barstool in and for the countertop to be comfortably underneath you when eating.’

If your overhang does need support, think about where this is positioned. ‘If the overhang will have braces or corbels, plan their size and location carefully,’ says kitchen and bathroom contractor Jeremy Boulanger of Boulanger Construction . ‘They should be symmetrically spaced and be installed between seats. The overhang should extend a few inches past them, so a 16 inch (40.6cm) overhang would have 12 to 14 inch (30.5 to 35.6cm) corbels while a 12 inch (30.5cm) should not have one bigger than 10 inches (25.4cm).‘

How much space do you need for seating each person at a kitchen island?

Kitchen island size affects how many people can be comfortably seated at it. After all, everyone needs sufficient elbow room.

‘You should plan on 20 to 24 inches (50 to 60cm) for each person along an island,’ says Jeremy Boulanger. ‘So a 4 foot (1.2m) island would sit two people comfortably, etc.’

Bear in mind that if kids will generally be seated at the island, a width at the smaller end of the range should be just fine.

More space for each person won’t go amiss. ‘Make sure that there is at least 28 inches (71cm) width of space per seat,’ advises Ben Neely. ‘This allows ample space for all your family or guests to sit comfortably together and not be rubbing shoulders.’

The style of your bar stools could mean you need extra space per person. ‘At a minimum, take your stool width and add 6 inches (15cm) for spacing – and that will grow even more if your stools swivel,’ says Jay Kallos.

Don’t forget to plan kitchen island lighting if it’s to be a dining area to make it a cozy place to share food.

How wide is a kitchen island with seating?

The width of a kitchen island with seating will depend on the dimensions of your kitchen and more, and the expert advice above will give you all the numbers you need. However, we recommend that a kitchen island with seating should be at least 36 inches (90cm) wide with the overhang included.

Be mindful of practicalities when it comes to kitchen island size, though. ‘Once the island gets so deep that someone needs to climb up on the countertop to clean it, you have an island that is too big,’ says Jay Kallos.

Kitchen Island: Dimensions, Kitchen Island, Kitchen Island

Installing a kitchen island is a modern way to make your kitchen more comfortable, functional and stylish. In this article, you will find information on how to competently plan a kitchen island: the dimensions of the island, layout options for a multifunctional kitchen cabinet and a photo of the kitchen design rovov.

In modern design, convenience and comfort are put in the first place, which is why kitchen islands have become so popular in recent times. The island in the kitchen is an additional work surface located in the center of the room. An island in the kitchen allows you to cook food regardless of the location of the main headset: several people can cook in such a kitchen at once.

Kitchen island combined with dining areaKitchen island transforms the interior, making it more modern

Why is a kitchen island a good idea for a shared apartment?

The kitchen island has an advantageous central position, which means that the working surfaces can be approached from all sides.
The kitchen island can be fitted with additional modules for storing utensils and almost any appliance.
The island module can be equipped with a full-fledged countertop, a pull-out countertop and a bar counter, so you can cook and have a meal at the same time
The island layout of the kitchen is suitable for both spacious rooms and small ones. Modern design techniques allow you to create small kitchens with an island.
If you have a kitchen-living room, then a kitchen island with a dining area delimits the cooking area and the relaxation area.

The kitchen island is often combined with the dining area this way of organizing space. The kitchen island is usually combined with the dining area so that the cooking person can freely contact those who are at the table. Cooking from a routine turns into a show, in which both guests and the one who cooks are involved.

Kitchen island minimum dimensions

Sink, refrigerator and cooker are the centers of activity that form the working triangle of kitchen 900 you, so the room should be as comfortable as possible.

The main centers of activity in the kitchen are the sink, refrigerator and stove. The placement of furniture is planned so that a person can move freely between centers and not get tired. Therefore, the distance between the kitchen and the island must be at least 1 meter and not more than 1.5 meters. This distance will be sufficient for comfortable movement between functional areas and for the free opening of all modules.

Kitchen island with dining area and sink If you install an island headset in a room with a smaller area, you will not be able to maintain a comfortable distance between the main headset and the island.

A small kitchen with an island will only be comfortable to use if you place the dining area, sink, stove, oven and refrigerator in the stove seem like a traditional wall-mounted headset. Therefore, for rooms with an area of less than 18 m2, it is recommended to install a kitchen island or a mobile kitchen island.

Kitchen island with dining areaMobile kitchen island.

If necessary, such a module can simply be rolled back to the wall. It is not possible to build appliances and sinks into a mobile island

The minimum allowable dimensions of a kitchen island differ depending on its functional content. For an island that will contain only boxes for storing utensils, the minimum size is 80 cm in length and 60 cm in width. Such an island can be made mobile by putting it on wheels.

This kitchen island can be used as a food delivery trolley Minimal equipped kitchen island: additional work surface and storage boxes

On a solid surface, the dimensions of the island must be at least 80 cm x 140 cm. The cooking surface needs an additional countertop for cooking food. To the right and left of the burners should be at least 35-40 cm in order to put a pot or pan.

On the opposite side of the stove, drawers for storing utensils can be placed

In order to integrate a sink into the kitchen island, it is necessary to install a cabinet with dimensions of at least 80 cm x 150 cm. To accommodate two pieces of equipment, the kitchen island must be at least 80 cm x 180 cm. The more equipment is built into the island, the larger its size. A full-fledged dining table top adds 60-80 cm to the width of the kitchen island. To accommodate the bar counter, an additional 25-40 cm is sufficient.

Kitchen island with dining areaKitchen island with bar

To save space, the bar can be combined with a dining table or a worktop. If the space of the kitchen allows, then you can equip the bar counter as a second kitchen island. This will allow you to distinguish between the kitchen and dining area.

The first kitchen island is a cooking area and storage modules. The second kitchen island is a bar counter, a sink and a worktop

The standard kitchen island height for cooking is 85 cm. The table top of the dining area is usually made below or at the level of the work surface. Standard comfortable tabletop height 75 cm. The bar counter is installed above or at the level of the working surface. The standard height of the bar counter is 90-110 cm. However, under the order, you can make an island kitchen set of almost any size.

If you do not build appliances and sinks into the kitchen island, then its width and length can be any convenient. Such a kitchen island can be used as a sideboard or as a place for storage 9000 2

Kitchen island shape

Rectangular shape fits perfectly into small spaces

Kitchen island an island can be of any shape. The most popular ones are rectangular, square, L-shaped and U-shaped. A rectangular kitchen island is usually located in small elongated rooms with a standard layout. Square islands, respectively, are more suitable for square kitchens, as well as for sets located with the letter P.

Classic style square kitchen island

Contemporary style square kitchen island

Rectangular kitchen island It’s a lot of things that have a fabrication and the fabrication of the same way

G-BEPARTS and the PROSTENTE ONE OCHENTELLENDENTENTENTENTENTENTENTENTENTENTENTENTENTENTENTENDENTENTENTENDENTENTENDENTENTENTENTENDENTENTENTENTENTENTENTENTENTENTENTENCELY. More appliances and communications can be built into such kitchen islands. However, such islands are suitable only for spacious kitchens and kitchen-living rooms.

U-shaped kitchen island with built-in hob

U-shaped kitchen island with built-in sink and hob

island with built-in sink

These are standard models that have already proven their functionality. In modern design, you can meet kitchen islands of zigzag, round and oval shapes. Such island designs look unusual and are perfect for a non-standard interior.

Round kitchen island

Shape mix: round wooden table combined with rectangular table top

can be of any shape. Color and texture highlight the working and dining areas

Technical equipment of the kitchen island

home appliances: refrigerator, stove, microwave, oven, dishwasher, dryer, washing machine. The technique is installed without restrictions, with the exception of some nuances.

Any appliances can be built into the kitchen island: here a microwave, oven and sink

Dishwasher is usually installed together with a sink. For these working processes, the same communications are carried out, so it would be more logical to group the equipment that works with water in one place.

Sink combined with dining area. After eating, the dishes do not need to be moved, it is enough just to move them to the side of the sink

Sink combined with a sideboard for storing dishes

Large kitchen island equipped with sink and wine storage area

Kitchen island usually has a cooking surface. It is recommended to install an island hood above the cooking surface. A kitchen island with a cooking surface is often combined with a bar counter and a sink.

Example of a kitchen island with a range hood0003 Kitchen island fits well in a small room Dining table built into kitchen stove

If you are still in doubt, a kitchen island is right for you If more workspace is needed, then the output exists. You can make a kitchen floor. A kitchen floor is when part of the working surface adjoins one side to a wall or a headset. This option is suitable for small rooms. It is possible to place a bar counter, additional modules for storage, a dining area and a sink on the floor.

The method of creating a half-island can be used when it is necessary to separate the kitchen area from the living room Temporary design trends lead to a reduction in the amount of kitchen furniture. The space of the kitchen is freed up due to the creation of mobile modules, kitchen islands and poly-islands, built-in multifunctional appliances.

The length of the worktop is adjustable depending on the number of guests. This will save even more space

Double kitchen island

military kitchen island allows you to almost completely abandon the traditional wall-mounted headset. The sink, refrigerator and stove are taken out to separate kitchen islands so that it is convenient to move between the main working planes.

This solution allows you to double the amount of useful kitchen space: each kitchen island has its own worktop, built-in appliances and cabinet fronts, which can be approached from all sides.

An interesting kitchen solution that combines a minimalist style and a symmetrical design. The kitchen island has a countertop and a dining area. Kitchen island adjacent to wall combines sink and bar

Diverse styles in kitchen island design 900oe32 900pe03

a variety of styles in the interior, most often kitchen islands are made in the styles of classicism, minimalism, country and high-tech . The choice of style depends on the taste preferences of the owner of the kitchen. Modern design allows you to create functional and high-tech kitchens with any design.

Whatever the style of your kitchen, the main thing is the comfort and technical equipment of the room. In modern design, the convenience and speed of cooking processes are put in the first place. Preference is given to multifunctional equipment to save space. A kitchen island is an excellent solution, since it is possible to integrate a variety of appliances into it and at the same time build an additional countertop.

The main thing is convenience and simplicity. The table for cooking is connected to the dining table. The stools are completely placed in the space under the countertop and do not block the approaches to the kitchen

Country style

Country style allows you to create a cozy interior in rustic style Provence A distinctive feature of this style is the creation of an atmosphere of a country house. Ethnic elements are often present in the decor. Modern materials are replaced or disguised as traditional ones: wood, bronze, brass, textiles, brick, stone.

For the country style, the presence of furniture or decor items in the interior, on which traces of time are visible, is characteristic. Sometimes the furniture is artificially aged to fit into style

In country style, it is appropriate to combine an elegant interior with deliberately rough and massive details, for example, a lamp, a tabletop. The kitchen should be made in a maximum of three colors, it is better to use beige and light halftones. So there will be more space and light in the room.

Individual spot lighting is installed above the kitchen island

A combination of traditional and modern details in the interior. Modules for wine storage built into the kitchen island

French country style. The kitchen island stands out in color against the background of a beige headset

Classicism style

in antique traditions A mixture of classic style and minimalism. From minimalism - a restrained color scheme, from classicism - the decor of the headset and plastic forms

The kitchen is, first of all, a room for work. Therefore, in modern design, the style of classicism is rarely found in its pure form. It is often combined with minimalism, Provence style and French romanticism. In this style, it is important not to overdo it with decoration, so it is better to avoid gilding and a large number of colors. It will be optimal to use a maximum of three concise colors. In a classic interior, combinations of massive wood and an elegant headset look good.

Classicist kitchen island

Minimalism and high-tech style

with the texture of wood and stone

Minimalist half-island kitchen is perfect for a small room

White the kitchen set and the white kitchen island look front. Wooden stools stand out against a white background, placing the necessary accents

0003

Hi-tech island

Mix of minimalism and hi-tech in the interior of a kitchen island

nor in the styles of minimalism and high-tech. Kitchens in such styles have a strict geometry. The decor on the headset is almost completely absent, the accents are placed with the help of single bright or black and white objects. Preferred colors for the style: gray and beige undertones, white and black.

Kitchen island connected to dining table

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Kitchen design with an island: 11 tips + photos

Contents of the article

The kitchen island was originally used in kitchens in public catering establishments. The table standing in the middle of the kitchen room allowed several chefs to cook dishes at the same time and not interfere with each other. Why are kitchen islands now actively used in ordinary apartments and houses? The answer lies on the surface. You can't even imagine how convenient and functional it is! Of course, a kitchen island is not the most versatile piece of furniture. Kitchen design with an island requires a serious and balanced approach. We have collected all the most valuable tips from professionals and inspiring photos to help you decide whether you need a kitchen island, and if so, what size, shape and functionality to prefer.

#1. Who would like a kitchen with an island?

An island is a table that stands at a distance from the kitchen set. It is equipped with its own worktop, can be equipped with a hob, sink and storage system. A kitchen island is not a mandatory piece of furniture, and it will not be appropriate in every kitchen.

So, , who can afford a kitchen island?

Complete island suitable for 20-25 m2 kitchens ² and above , and there must be a separate dining area.
Peninsula or small mobile island suitable for kitchens from 15 m ² .
The kitchen table will look great on the border of zones in a combined kitchen-living room or studio apartment.
This is a great option for spacious cottages and country houses.

Is it possible to install a kitchen island in an ordinary city apartment? Difficult. If this is not a modern spacious studio apartment, then you will have to get rid of some partitions, combine the kitchen and living room, obtain the necessary permits and still be content with the smallest version of the island. But if this is your interior dream, then why not?

#2. Why is a kitchen island necessary?

The kitchen island can serve one task or a range of functions:

be part of a "work triangle". Ergonomics rules say that it is most convenient when the stove, sink and refrigerator are located at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. The easiest way to achieve this layout is with an island;
become additional or basic worktop ;
fully or partially replace dining area if chairs are placed on one side;
can be used as storage place , as a lot of shelves and drawers can be organized under the tabletop. Usually, plates, pots, other kitchen utensils and cookbooks are stored in the kitchen island. Sometimes a freezer or dishwasher is built into it.

Designers call the kitchen island the best way to organize large kitchen space in terms of ergonomics.

No. 3. Pros and cons of kitchens with an island

The widest functionality along with decent dimensions allow us to talk about a number of pros and cons of a kitchen island. Let's start with the good:

the comfort and ergonomics of . Thanks to the presence of the island, all the main elements in the kitchen can be placed closer to each other. The hostess will spend less energy moving between the sink, stove, refrigerator and work surface. Consequently, time, energy is saved, comfort is increased. Moreover, if there is an island several people can cook at once ;
while cooking a culinary masterpiece, a hostess can easily communicate with household members and guests without turning her back on them;
kitchen island can replace the weighty part of the set and accommodate a hob with oven, dishwasher or sink;
kitchen island, or rather part of it, can be used as a dining table or bar counter for small snacks;
the island can become the main zoning element of the space of the combined kitchen-living room;
the island looks great in large kitchens, adds chic and zest to them.

There are also disadvantages:

depending on the dimensions of , the island will take from 1 to 3 m ² of the area , plus it is necessary to provide enough space around it for free movement. In general, for small kitchens, a full-fledged island is a pipe dream;
If you are thinking of placing a sink or dishwasher on the island, then be prepared for the difficulties associated with transferring communications and creating the necessary slope, which may entail raising the floor level. Moreover, in an ordinary apartment it will not be easy to do this.

#4. Distance between the island and other pieces of furniture

To ensure that the kitchen island does not interfere with free movement, opening drawers and the dishwasher, it is necessary to leave enough space between it and the kitchen set or wall.

Minimum distance 100 cm, optimum 120 cm . Only in this case, the kitchen island will really be comfortable and ergonomic, and will not cause inconvenience.

No. 5. Standard dimensions of the kitchen island

The optimal parameters of the island depend on the size of the kitchen and the personal preferences of the household:

in a spacious kitchen, you can safely place island up to 2 m long , if there is a need for such a giant;
the standard for the kitchen island are 180*90 cm and 180*60 cm . Three standard modules will fit in length;
the width usually ranges from 60 to 120 cm . A compact island 60 cm wide on one side will have blank cabinet walls. In an island 90-120 cm wide, you can fit lockers on several sides;
the island is usually made with a height of 85-90 cm , like the rest of the set, so that you can cook comfortably. If a dining area is provided, it may be slightly lower. An alternative option is to keep the height of the tabletop the same level and buy higher (semi-bar) chairs. Part of the tabletop can be raised, thus organizing the bar counter. Its logical conclusion will be bar stools.

#6. Kitchen island shape

Designers suggest that island shape should match kitchen island shape , i.e. for a rectangular room, a rectangular island is suitable, for a square room, a square one. Rectangular and square islands have become so popular that many do not even imagine this element of a different shape.

In addition to standard islands, islands are semi-circular, oval, intricately curved, triangular and more. To order, you can make an island of any shape and size. The main thing is that, along with extravagance and unusualness, the island should be functional, harmoniously fit into the existing interior. Oval and round tables are convenient because they do not have corners and reduce the risk of injury, but they take up more space. Broken, triangular and other design options are rarely functional, they require huge areas to arrange them without risk to health.

When choosing a shape, one should look not only at the shape of the kitchen, but also at the type of arrangement of the kitchen unit . If an L-shaped layout is chosen, then a square island will be a good solution. For U-shaped kitchens, a rectangular island is usually chosen, but the final decision depends on the size of the room. If the headset is located in one line, then you can choose an island of any shape. Islands of bizarre shape are best supported by the same unusual set.

No. 7. The main types of kitchen islands

The standard kitchen island is a free standing unit. But what about those who have a kitchen not large enough to accommodate a full-fledged island, but want to have such a useful accessory? It's good that they came up with several interesting varieties of ordinary islands:

peninsula differs from the island only in that one of its ends adjoins a wall, kitchen set or window sill. This solution allows you to significantly save space, while retaining the maximum benefits of a full-fledged island;
mobile compact island . These are now in the collections from IKEA. When necessary, it can be placed in the kitchen, fixed and used as an additional countertop and storage space, and then rolled, for example, into a pantry or pushed against a wall;
archipelago is a type of kitchen island designed for spacious rooms. The archipelago is a system consisting of multi-level structures. Thus, maximum functionality is achieved. One part can be used for cooking dinners, the second for eating, and the third can be raised to the level of the bar and used only for snacks.

#8. Options for organizing a kitchen with an island

We have already said that kitchen island is multifunctional . Now let's give examples of how it can be used in the kitchen:

as an additional work surface. This is the easiest option in terms of implementation, since you do not have to transfer communications. If you like to cook, or there are several people in the family who are actively experimenting in the kitchen, then the additional workspace will only benefit. Just remember to place a few outlets on the ends of the island. So it will be easier to use kitchen appliances and charge gadgets;
island with a bar counter , which can become an additional element of zoning. You can organize a bar area due to the countertop protruding from one side, but in terms of height, such a solution will not reach a full-fledged bar counter. An alternative solution is to raise part of the countertop;
island can flow smoothly into dining table . In this case, it is desirable that its width be at least 90 cm. As for the height, then it’s more convenient for anyone. Someone prefers higher tables and semi-bar stools, then the level of the kitchen island will be the same. Someone likes a dining table of the usual height, then it will be necessary to provide for the transition from one level to another;
the island with the electric hob is more difficult to organize. Not only will you have to supply electricity (it is better to run the cable along the floor), but you will also have to provide for an exhaust hood. You will have to choose a special model, and even conduct an air duct, and then hide it behind the ceiling structure (stretch and suspended ceilings are suitable). This means that you have to sacrifice the height of the room. But there is a way out - you can buy a hood with recirculation. It draws in air, purifies it and returns it back. Filters will have to be changed often, but if the ceilings are low, this is the only option;
kitchen island with sink will require relocating water and sewer pipes, providing the necessary slope, and sometimes even installing pumping equipment. Well, if you are building a private house, and you can plan the location of communications in advance, as needed. And if we are talking about an ordinary city apartment? We will also have to agree on the project, and it may happen that it will be impossible to place a sink on the island at all. But even if such an option is feasible, do not forget that the pipes passing through the middle of the kitchen under a slope will need to be hidden somehow. This means that the floor surface will rise, and the height of the room will decrease. The same problems lie in wait if you want to bring a dishwasher to the island;
island-showcase suggests the presence of a large number of open shelves, where plates, souvenirs, books are beautifully arranged. To heighten the effect, the shelves can be illuminated with LED strip or special furniture fixtures. Open cabinets and shelves can be located around the entire perimeter of the island, or they can decorate only part of it, for example, the one that is turned towards the dining area or living room.

The same kitchen island can do several things at once. For example, serve as an additional work surface, the location of the built-in oven and snack area.

#9. Style of execution of the kitchen island

The island part of the kitchen should be in harmony with the rest of the interior details in terms of material, shape and color scheme. If the kitchen set is made of wood with a stone countertop, then it is better if the island is exactly the same. If the kitchen is spacious enough, then you can afford some liberties and focus on the portable cabinet due to an interesting texture or shade. But even in this case, it is important not to play too much and not lose the overall harmony of the room.

To create a harmonious kitchen interior, it is necessary, first of all, to build on the chosen style and select the appropriate island for it:

for classic interiors , a massive island made of polished wood is suitable, the countertop must be either wooden or stone. Carved elements, gilding, panels and other decorative elements are welcome. The color scheme matches the interior, but light shades and rich browns, olive, black-gray and gray-white are preferred. Above the island you can hang a large crystal chandelier;
for modern interiors (hi-tech and minimalism), a laconic island that fully matches the kitchen set will suit. Minimum decor - maximum practicality. Materials such as artificial stone, steel, tempered glass are preferred. On the island, you can place an induction cooker, build in an oven or a sink. The main task of modern interior styles is to simplify a person’s life and daily worries, so the idea of a kitchen island fits very well into this concept. Do not forget to organize a convenient storage system and allocate some space for snacks;
The island also fits into the Provence style. In this case, the preferred light pastel shades are: white, milky, light lavender, mint, turquoise, etc. The base is made of wood, the countertop is made of natural or artificial stone of a light shade. A large number of drawers, shelves, wicker baskets are welcome, some of the shelves can be covered with checkered, flowered or striped chintz curtains. Special honeycomb shelves for storing bottles of wine will look good - Provence, after all, belongs to the wine-growing regions;
For country style, you should choose a massive, even rough island made of natural wood. The texture of the wood is best preserved, so lacquering is preferred over painting. Large shelves and cabinets, wrought iron handles, stone, wood or ceramic tile countertops - all this will complement the country style. Some of the shelves can be left open, new furniture can be aged;
loft-style island almost always acts as a separator between the kitchen area and the living room. The cabinet should be as simple as possible, you can use brickwork, a steel pipe structure as a base, and choose stone or steel as a countertop. You don’t have to hide the air duct from the hood - its presence will only emphasize the chosen style;
An island with a bizarre shape, with smooth, streamlined facades, will fit into the Art Nouveau style. Preferably glass and metal;
Scandinavian style emphasizes simplicity and functionality. The base of the island can be wood, brick, concrete or metal, the preferred countertop material is wood. It is better to choose a light-colored island.

#10. Island in the interior of a small kitchen

It is generally accepted that the island is a privilege only for owners of huge kitchens. Is this statement correct? Yes, but only in part. Classic bulky stationary island - this is only for large rooms , but if you have a small kitchen you can find a way out, however, you will have to make compromises.

Take a look at small stationary models. An island with dimensions of 120*60 will allow you to equip additional workspace and storage space, if necessary, divide the room into zones, but will not take up too much space.

Also note the various withdrawable and mobile versions . You can order a set in which the island will fully or partially slide into one of the modules. An alternative option is to attach the countertop to the wall and raise it as needed (for snacking, cooking). You can consider designs on wheels.

In some kitchens, islands are equipped in the bar counter format. The main task of such a solution is to separate the kitchen area from the recreation area. From the side of the living room, the rack is completed with high chairs, and from the side of the kitchen, it can be supplemented with a folding table top, which can be raised if necessary and used for cooking.

No. 11. Design Tricks

Professional designers advise:

to make a kitchen with an island visually more spacious and airy, the base of the island can be made discontinuous. Of course, in this case, you will have to sacrifice some storage spaces or areas for installing built-in appliances, but you can find a balance between practicality and airiness;
Shelf can be hung above the island. mensolu. Initially, these shelves were used in country and Provence style for convenient storage of pots, pans and other kitchen utensils. This solution looks most successful in a rustic style, but the mensolu can also be built into other interior solutions;
don't forget about the quality lighting of island, because it will be at the epicenter of cooking, snacking and maybe even dinner.
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