How to Design a Kitchen Island

hometipster Now that's what I call a Kitchen Island. The one by Garrison Hullinger is just wonderful. Shame I can't cook. lol - well that's not exactly true, I can boil and egg! I was never very good at cooking although when it came to baking I excelled :) Lovely kitchen's Vanessa, thanks for sharing.

olldbobbi hometipster - Me too! I can't cook but I love to bake. Garrison Hullinger's island is beautiful, but personally I love the wood countertop by Yvonne McFadden and the all around look of the island by Schnarr Crafsman. I wish I had enough space to do something like that. Unfortunately, I think if I make one more home improvement my husband will kill me!

hometipster Bobbi - It's been confession day! I posted a comment on the Work Shop article. I had to admit that I'm a walking disaster when it comes to Home Improvements, which is strange considering I'm the Editor for Hometipster.com lol. My brother on the other had is a complete whiz which is where I turn for inspiration.

I guess being a Sunday is pretty apt for my confessionals. Have a great day Bobbi - Graham

Amanda Simons I'm planning on reworking our kitchen from one narrow island in the middle to one big penninsula coming from the wall. I know it will be roughly 9x5 with a butcher block and prep sink set in one end, but it's underneath that I'm not sure what to do with. If I do two 24" cabinets back to back, that leaves 12" overhang for seating. Is that really enough room? If anyone has any opinions on seating overhang, I'm all ears! I have a sketch, but it won't post. Thanks!

cinti I installed a prep sink in my island 15 years ago and it was only used to make drinks LOL. Redid it, removed the sink, but in an microwave drawer. Love it I think stoves in a small island are dangerous if you have small children around.

0606jody get on pinterest ....

Melinda @Amanda....we used IKEA butcher block counter tops that come in a 39 5/8" width for our island and the 12" overhang behind the cooktop is perfect. It's where everyone gathers.

chief88 I wish my kitchen were wider so I could plan for an island. At this time we have a peninsula that houses the dishwasher and I hate the location. I need extra storage as I love to cook. I'm drooling over all the kitchens!!!

beasgirl Be sure to add electrical outlets on either side of island

mrsben Some excellent guidelines here regarding proportions. Thank you Vanessa, Thomas and Steve.

IMHO I think the most important question to be asked is: "How will an Island fit into your kitchen layout?" .... BUT ... am also going to add " How does it fit in with your lifestyle? Reason: I have observed far too many times in the homes that I have been in, Islands often end up as clutter catch-alls or a place to even plop your handbag, grocery bags etc. etc. which is not the most ideal location for food prep particularly for meats, poultry or vegetables. Can you say Salmonella? Think where that handbag has been! :) If the truth be known, your kitchen or dinining room table is probably more sanitary.

With that stated (and it is just my personal observation/opinion) my favourite choice of design is one with an upper 'n lower divided counter space. Though the raised counter height equipped with bar stools are seemingly the trend and I do love the look of them, my preference is still to have referred area 'dropped', namely due to a more versatile function. ie: Particularly in the case of young children, it makes for a better place to observe and participate in food preparation as/or it offers the option of either using standard height stools, chairs or benches for seating, can act as a desk or a work station that can be easily and aesthically equipped with a tower of drawers, can serve as a perfect table-height buffet station if or when in need, etc.

As far as placing appliances in an Island; if one has ever experienced a back problem or has a young Toddler, you may be quick to discover such a location of a micro-wave oven for instance, is not the place for it to be.

In summary, how one decides to 'divide and conquer' their Island IMHO is purely up to an individual's preference and needs.

jessicaszeplany need pinterest, so i can put on my board to plan.

pattiv Great article! I'm in the middle of a kitchen makeover and this is just what I needed. The island design has had me befuddled due to the options. I've been leaning towards the dishwasher and sink in the island... until I read some comments here. Any other input? A small sink in the island looks nice but friends have said they never use theirs, too. What do you love about your island?

Ingelnook Farm Inc How much space between island and countertop is recommended?

tsemdkel Thanks so much for your timely article. I opened up a 70's kitchen into a great room with the adjoining den and now have a huge space for the island (can we say ballroom?). I like the idea of using regular chairs for the sitting area. Has anyone attempted to build their own island with in-stock cabinetry? And how could I attach a lower "table"? Thanks for all suggestions!

smuffy Inglenook Farm - 3 1/2 feet between counter and island. You want space for one facing the counter and one facing island.

PattiV - Regarding a sink on the island, I used to have one on a large island and found it convenient (since the range was on the counter, I just had to turn around to get to the sink) but not practical. When my kids were younger, they always sat in front of the sink area to eat, draw, etc. as I was prepping or washing. The problem is water being splashed on their food and paper.

With a new kitchen renovation at a different house, I am foregoing the sink on the island, making the island smaller, but adding a peninsula for seating, away from the sink. Islands look great, but if it's too big, it does turn into a place to collect things. If you have a large island, make sure it's not too deep where you can't easily reach the other side.

Choices Interior Decorating Inc If space permits I incorporate islands according to the needs of the client, but beware of open shelving, they are the spaces dust likes to gather and more work is not the objective.

mrsben @tsemdkel: Re your question, try a websearch (ie: Similar to: Using stock cabinets for kitchen Island) and I am sure you will come up with some links.

I am just guessing ..... whether or not you have a drop, once you determine how to create the Island you will probably require some type of undermount bracketS to secure at least one end or side of the table to the Island for support.

I have seen it done where the Island and Table is a continuous run in length of the same material and a waterfall end of it is applied to act as a support for the table itself. Hope this makes sense.

moncolonel Question. the first picture, what are the materials of the countertip and the shelving?

thanks.

alisonclark my friend has a fabulous kitchen island. It continues on to become a dining 'table' for 7 or so people. it does away with the need for table and chairs and makes the most of the kitchen/dining space. certainly something i will be doing in my next place.

Carol in building our new home, sink and DW are best in the island, but...any way to incorporate dish and glass storage in that bar? Considered a 2-tier bar and putting them underneath the 'shelf' that forms, but with a 42" high second bar tier, that only leaves about 4 1/2" for my shelf. Has anyone done this? Hope this makes sense.

ana474 Funny this comes exactly as I am redoing my kitchen, we had so many issues with the island. First, it was too large to fit a piece of granite or marble so we had to split it to 2 islands. Always remember never to make it too large, a slab can only be 72-74 wide by max of about 100 or so long (sometimes you can find a bit longer in marble if you are lucky) and we were at 78 wide by 96, never would have worked with no seams.

Now we are stuck with 38" from hood side to pass through, 40x78" island which leaves us with less than 24" deep cabinets on both sides, another 38" pass through to the 2nd island with another 40x78" island to have storage and eat at, leaving it counter height to have more of an inviting space from the family room.

I have learned islands are def the worst part of designing a kitchen, I am still not thrilled with my 2 island design (and they are starting production of my cabinets soon), but we have been unable to come up with anything better.

Great article, lots of great tips, but I think it leaves out a few issues many of us run into and possible solutions.

ratched Number 3 is my favorite but VERY impractical. I have a hanging pot holder over my island (with a stovetop in said island). The greasy goo that accumulates on everything places above the cooktop is a pain to clean, especially when dust combines with the goo.

Brooke Howard_Smith I always wonder why people want to do their dishes on their island, it ends up being the social center of the house... Instead we have the cook top there and a Cool drawer from F&P so we can serve drinks, makes it far more sociable...

BY DESIGN Builders Great article!
I hope people are paying attention to this critical component when planning (#5), "The open floor area around the island also requires some calculation. Ahmann suggests about 3 feet of floor space on the ends of the island. The working sides of an island should have 42 inches of space as a minimum..."
If you have an appliance that opens, like a dishwasher, microwave drawer, oven or wine fridge, you need to account for how much space is needed during access to that appliance and when there are others in the kitchen. A 24" door fully opened with only 36" of floor clearance means you only have 12" of space to access or for others to pass by.
Lay out your floor plan with blue tape and walk around it before making a final decision. Better yet, put up two saw horses with plywood cut to the desired island size and see how it feels.
36" looks like a lot on paper, but it doesn't feel like a lot when you are standing in the finished renovation.
Also your designer should be showing you clearances that include the countertop overhang. Most edge detail is 1.5" overhang from the cabinet box. This means opposing 24" base cabinets that were only placed 36" apart during the rough layout will actually be 33" apart countertop edge to countertop edge.
It is all in the details...and planning.

portpiro Is that a fabric shade in number 2? If so I hope they have a heavy duty exhaust system in that kitchen or they'll be replacing that in 6 months. I know I sound hyper critical (I actually love islands) but what's the deal with the width of the Garrison Hullinger island? Given the depth of the average appliance surely there is a huge amount of dead space in the middle of that enormous island? I can see it's that size to tie in with the width of the cupboard to the right but just seems like it would be a mammoth effort to wipe the darn thing down. Designers care more about looks the practicality in many cases.

denverglamgal #5 is so true! Our island looked nice, but once we moved in, we realized that there is not enough space behind the island, and that's where the fridge is! It's a HUGE hassle when there is more than 1 person in the kitchen (28 inches from fridge door handle to island).

The huge island (unfortunately all one level) also becomes the "dumping ground" due to its sheer size and location.

hlvoorhees @Amanda Simons: The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends a minimum 15" overhang for counter height (36") seating, and 12" for bar height (42"). We have a 14" overhang on our counter-height island and it works but it's a bit tight. You can reduce the depth of your island base cabinets (ours are 18") to accommodate more seating space in a narrow kitchen.

I disagree with the author that a dual height island is more flexible. With a single, counter-height surface you can use the entire surface for cooking or serving if you need to, as well as dining.

Dura Supreme Cabinetry Looking at your islands function... Do you use your island for cooking? or for entertaining.

Here's and island idea for entertaining guests:
Urban Loft Living Kitchen by Dura Supreme Cabinetry

Here's a great idea for cooking:
Cottage Kitchen - Personal Touches

Melinda I agree that a single height counter top works well for us and can't imagine having the island height divided. Also I realized that the overhang on our island is closer to 15". Our island is 10' long with six bar stools and we spend the majority of our time there. I wanted the sink in the island but did not want the expense of moving plumbing so installed a gas stove there with island mount hood. So glad we did. I love having my husband and the kids there with me every night while I cook dinner. Attaching a photo of the kitchen at the end of the construction process about a year ago. All IKEA cabinets and counter tops at a cost of around $3500.

Patrick L. Boyd-Loyd I find that islands with the the cooktop in them work best,a s more home cooks want to be part of the action and it's far more important to watch over whats cooking than to be over the sink.
When we bought our current house ( we renovated a circa 1910 farmhouse with a more open modern feel) we installed 2 Jenn-Air down-draft 30" ranges in the island with maple butcher block prep areas on each side. Across from the island is a wall of IKEA Cabinets as pantry/storage ( we used the frosted glass and brushed aluminum fronts), and there's a small TV in the center to watch while we cook. The sink and dishwasher are on the wall opposite the ranges / island. Its been perfect for our use.
Eventually we'll expand our kitchen out 14 feet, which will give an even longer island and more counter space.

Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel Good tips! All very attractive islands, but the first one, with the low open shelves, I just see all the pet fur drifting in there. Shelves that low to the floor should be only for large items you don't use much, but I'd enclose them with doors.

jobisbee I have a small 1953 kitchen. My serve my husband homemade food every night. I dream about kitchen islands like these. AAHHHH

mmsalg You can never have enough storage IMO. Love so many of these ideas. I also think the dimension/layout of the island depends on how you want to use it. A work station will require something different than perhaps a gathering spot for guest. Creating your custom island exactly the way you like it is the perfect solution, don't you think? :-)

marcie
http://custm.co/hz/57

I love this custom stainless island with its built in appliance and shelving.

oldobdoc Most homes have a shortage of horizontal space. Kitchen islands I have seen contain a sink or a cooktop or even a planter (what a waste). In my kitchen remodel the first thing I specified was a large island (52x94 inches) with no obstructions. I had suffered with an island cooktop for years. For sure it will never be included in a magazine layout but it has been wonderful for my family. It is easy for multiple cooks to gather around. It is a perfect buffet table for parties. A great layout table for house plans or wrapping large gifts. Cleanup is a breeze. On the end opposite the oven/cooktop there is a short overhang that makes for more comfortable cooking prep. At the other end is a larger overhang for counter height dining. I have electric outlets at each end to accommodate the food processor or coffee maker or other electric appliance. Storage in the base is all drawers of various sizes.

mldetweiler Oldobdoc, I would love to see a photo of your island.

Amanda Simons Thank you Melinda and hlvoorhees! I totally agree that single-height works better. I tend to do a lot of cooking and baking at once, so I like to spread out (hence my desire for one big peninsula rather than the narrow island). A dual-height counter would just defeat the purpose.

I didn't know they made base cabinets as narrow as 18" so I'll have to look into that. I'd rather sacrifice the cabinet space over the leg room. I just need something under there to support the gigantic soapstone :)

Melinda- the kitchen looks great! I am also opting for IKEA countertops! Only mine will just be along the wall and not on the island. Great job!

Patti I am in the middle of building, I decided on a island and a small area for two/three chairs and a table. The island will have the sink and dishwasher, no sitting.one wall will have ref. the other oven/microwave and a small sink. decided i wanted a place to cook/ and a place for snacks:) ..dont think there is a "ideal" plan. you have to decide what you want:)

simi11 Im starting soon to remodel my very old non functional kitchen, I love island from the practical and entertaining point of view but my kitchen is 18x14 and with many doors from right and left I have little space, my first idea was a cooktop but then that wont leave much space around it, so I really think one level and seat for 3 will be the goal, I have also an idea to have the island on wheels that would allow me to move it if it were necessary depending on the occassion. - Anyone with a good size island probably round or rectangle shape on wheels ??

oldobdoc Kitchen islands tend to be workplaces, day in and day out. If there is no separate dining space then it must double as a workplace and an eating place. An uncluttered island may not have the eye appeal of one with a sink or cooktop (dreadful and dangerous) but goes a long way to making a comfortable kitchen. Too often I see kitchen islands that were designed for the magazine layout and not for the day to day function of a kitchen. Most homes have a dearth of horizontal space and a well designed island is priceless. My island is 94"x 52.5" and I have enjoyed it immensely. It has plenty of under counter storage (drawers) and electric outlets. My only regret is I set the island before laying the floor.

simi11 Im currently remodeling my kitchen and plan an island for working space and entertainment purposes. Im thinking to have an island on wheels so it can be moved whenever, possibly even onto the porch in summer, lol, I have not yet seen such anywhere and put this "dilema" on discussion board, in the meantime I found another island possibility that would eliminate the need of of another dining table and chairs, what do you think of island on wheels in design (square shape is because the software had only this one available), or the island with the bench/table?

Carol i love the island/bench design, would have done that in my newly built home if it would have worked in my space....

Diana Bier Interiors, LLC The island with the bench seating right next to the sink does not look like a great idea. Whoever is sitting on the bench has his/her back to the cook, and could easily get splashed by the water from the sink! Also one of those pictures shows the cooktop jammed onto the island with only about 2 inches from the edge! How unsafe is that? And this design is from a construction company that has its own show on HGTV!
I think that an island has to work in the overall plan of the kitchen, and not just because the homeowner wants one. If you don't have the space for it, it just doesn't make sense. And I agree that it shouldn't be so large that you can't reach across it, or that you don't have enough space between the island and the adjoining cabinets.

familialevy If more than 2 people are eating at the island please consider their positions relative to one another. Three or four people sitting in a linear row may be efficient but does not allow eye to eye contact for the diners. It is awkward to converse with a person when there is another person between you! A solution is to allow seating at the end of the island on all three sides of the island. Be sure to allow adequate overhangs!

Since islands are so popular and often become the main eating area, it is important to design the seating locations for conversation and eye or face to face contact. This makes for a much warmer and useable island.

Point Nexus Consulting Inc. Kitchen Island designs are crucial for how people today are using the kitchen as the focal point of entertaining. The connection the Island has with he working space of the kitchen demands careful attention to the use of space. Too many islands focus on straight lines. The challenge with this kind of island is it doesn't allow for good conversation with the guests sitting at the island. When possible designt an island with a curve or semi-circal. This gives all kinds of possibilites to have mixed conversations. It also provides a unique experience with the chef , presuming the cooktop is in the island, to interact enough without being in the way.
The other important aspect of the island is choosing the height. I used 38 inches for my island. ( You can see our project on Houzz under Point Nexus Vancouver BC ) The reason is with a 42 high counter the island can feel too high for many people. A 36 inch height doesn't allow for people to comfortably stand around the island and lean up against it. There are a couple of other reasons as well , but I won't get into them here.
Islands will either make or break the functionality of your kitchen. Take the time to design this space with a lot of thought. And, if possible, avoid straight line islands.
I've yet to see a real island on this planet, sirrounded by water , actually straight.
cheers
Alvin

Brooke Howard_Smith Agreed, one of the most important things about an island is to waterfall at least one of the ends so that people can sit around it, not just all in a line...this will save people from sitting with their knees cramped into the end of your bench...

Studio NOO Design I don't have the space for an island ! sic...maybe in another life !

amjfreeland Someone mentioned sinks in islands earlier-- I have a big sink in my island which EVERYONE tried to talk me out of (builder, kitchen designer, husband, etc). We've lived here twelve plus years now and I've never regretted it for a minute. It holds cookie sheets, oven racks, a beverage tub with ice and beer in it when we entertain-- anything I've ever wanted it to. Because it is adjacent to my cooktop, the pull out faucet works as a pot filler-- I just pull the handle over to my pot on the stove. The sink is almost as big as my cooktop, which is why they all thought I was nuts and/or stupid-- but I could visualize using it and I have. I think the little sinks in islands look silly because they look useless. We all function differently in a kitchen. If you have the luxury of designing your kitchen either as a remodel or because you're building from scratch, if you know what you want and you have a reason for it-- don't let anyone talk you out of it. You're the one who's going to have to live in it.

Dura Supreme Cabinetry amjfreeland – I agree, a large sink in an island can be very useful. Most people don’t have enough space for a prep sink and a full sized sink with work space on each side. Having only a prep sized sink in your kitchen can be frustrating when trying to clean pans and larger items. I recommend either one large sink or if space is available, a large sink with a prep sink. I personally like having the large sink in the island where it can work as a dish zone and a prep zone at the same time.

Adding a big or standard sink to your island can help dedicated needed space and counter space for dishes.
Is There Any Other Place You'd Rather Be?
“Destined to be a Classic” Kitchen by Dura Supreme Cabinetry
Is There Any Place You'd Rather Be?

If you choose an island with a prep sink, you may want to consider the space. Do you have enough counter space to dedicate to 2 sinks with work space on each side? Where will your full sized sink and dish zone be located in your kitchen compared to the prep space with prep sink? These kitchens are great examples; they have a large sink for dishes with dedicated counter space on both sides and a prep sink in the island with dedicated space for food prep.
Traditional Farmhouse
Lofty Kitchen Concept 1
Lofty Kitchen Concept 2

jackrussel_1999 I have an old singer sewing machine base that I would like to use for a kitchen island but Im at a loss as to where or how to start..

julie77777 Debating on height of the wall that will hold the upper level of my island (well, it's really a peninsula and one half of my small galley style kitchen). My new upper level bar which is being added when we put in a new countertop will be 18 inches wide ... the wall will be four inches thick leaving 14 inches overhang for 3 seats. Do we build the wall 42 inches high and then add the new countertop, so the total height will be about 43-44 in? Do we build the wall 40 inches high? what is standard for bar stool chairs? My counter (lower level of peninsula) is the standard height - around 35 in. If we build the wall a bit lower than 40 or 42 in. - say 38 in. as mentioned in a post above - might it be difficult to find bar chairs the right height?? Any comments are appreciated.

BY DESIGN Builders Aloha Julie77777,
Bar heights are really more about personal preference and taking into consideration the usage and the persons using it.
There are many, although more contemporary, bar stools with adjustable heights. They use a hydraulic mechanism, similar to an office chair. They are sleek, not necessarily industrial.
Here's a link to a page with many choices: http://www.allmodern.com/Adjustable-Height-Stools-C1768241.html
Perhaps this will make your bar height decision a little easier, finding the chairs first to make sure you will be comfortable.

julie77777 Thank you, BY DESIGN Builders!!

Sl Hofstadter Q

tapelian When designing an island for eating, how many inches of space is needed for each person?I am trying to figure out how large I need to make the island.I would like to utilize 3 sides if possible to make it more inviting and seating for up to 6 adults.

BY DESIGN Builders We recommend a minimum of 24" per seat to allow for elbow room and not feel too crowded.
For the corner seating, here is one of our renderings for a plan that was 4'6" x 6' with seating on only two sides. As you can see to try and fit two more seats would be impossible in this layout and scale.
If you add the third side as you suggested a 48"x54"x48" may work, but keep in mind how you will support it. Also, think about cleaning the 48" deep top, leaning over to reach or having to clean from both sides.

Kimberly Schell I am looking for ALL of my counter tops, including my island to NOT BE granite, or marble. A beautiful white bib porcelain sink. Nickel/stainless kitchen faucet & spicket sink (in the island). Commercial sized stainless steel refrigerator/freezer. stove top. dbl. oven (wall). White cabinetry throughout (kitchen). AND, more.

houseinfrance We are including an island in our new house's kitchen - the first time I have had one! However, although there is lots of space to have a generously wide one, I am sticking to keeping my big cooker and the sink against the wall, I just feel that grease and water would end up all over the place if they were on the island. I prefer the traditional splash-back idea for these two much used items.
In my current kitchen I have a professional restaurant range and stainless steel work tops on the serious prep areas, they are wonderful, easy to clean, hygienic, heat proof.
Thanks for the measurements of ideal space around the island and heights, really useful.

TEXWOOD DESIGNS nice stuff

drip2112 How much space do you allow for each person to eat at an island?
I want to put 4 people on one long end and I'm not sure how much space to account for.

BY DESIGN Builders "We recommend a minimum of 24" per seat to allow for elbow room and not feel too crowded."