There’s Nothing Worse Than an Awkward Kitchen Island—Here’s How to Calculate Correctly
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A kitchen island is a hot commodity that almost everyone—homeowner or renter—has on their home wishlist. These typically-rectangular masses in the center of your kitchen provide not only storage, counter space, and potentially seating, but they've also become decorative centerpieces in recent years, a platform on which to showcase your aesthetic. From custom millwork and decorative legs to unique countertops, the kitchen island is the ultimate functional statement.
However, before you can get to the details, you have choose the island that best fits your space. Too large and it compromised functionality; too small, and it drowns in a high-activity room. Here's how to know what size island is right for your kitchen.
How to Determine Your Ideal Kitchen Island Size
There are a few things you must keep in mind when determining not only the size of your island, but also whether your kitchen can even handle one. We asked a few interior designers and kitchen experts to share their standard rules on minimum and maximum dimensions, walkway clearances, seating preferences, and more.
Minimum and Maximum Dimensions for a Kitchen Island
The minimum and maximum size of island you can functionally fit into your kitchen depends, of course, of the size of the room. A good rule of thumb is that your kitchen island shouldn't take up more than 10 percent of your kitchen's total square feet. So if your kitchen is 200 square feet, then your island shouldn't exceed 20 square feet.
Tanya Smith-Shiflett of Unique Kitchens & Baths and Angelica Ferguson VonDrak, a broker and designer in the Hudson Valley, break down the general dimension guidelines for small, medium, and large kitchens.
When adding an island to a larger kitchen, say at least 16 feet by 20 feet, you should aim for the feature to be around seven to 10 feet long and three to four feet wide. "This creates a sense of presence without overwhelming the room," Ferguson VonDrak tells House Beautiful.
A medium-sized kitchen, around 12 feet by 14 feet, can easily handle an island as well, but the general guideline states that this separate countertop should not be smaller than four feet by two feet. However, Ferguson VonDrak doesn't like to go smaller than five feet by three feet for an island, which means she basically doesn't recommend installing a permanent island in a smaller kitchen. "In these spaces, we like to use a movable island on wheels," Smith-Shiflett says. "This gives homeowners the option of extra workspace with the added flexibility to tuck it away when needed." A peninsula is another option for a small kitchen.
Clearance Around the Kitchen Island
Once you know the basic dimensions for a kitchen island, the next thing to consider is clearance. The space between between the island and the wall or counter near it should never be so narrow that it disrupts the flow of the kitchen. Ferguson VonDrak suggests keeping a space of at least 36 inches and at most 48 inches on all sides of your kitchen island, "which allows people to move comfortably even when someone’s cooking at or cleaning the island." However, in high-traffic areas like between the island and the range or pull-out storage cabinets, you should try to stay on the wider side of the clearance spectrum.
The island can actually function as a bridge between high-traffic spots that would otherwise be too far apart. "An island should also serve your working triangle between the stove, prep areas, and sink so you don’t find yourself walking a long way to access what you need," Teri Simone of Nieu Cabinet Doors says. Moving through a clearance that's too big would make cooking feel tedious; anything too small would make you feel claustrophobic.
Kitchen Island Seating
If you want your kitchen island to serve as an eat-in space, then the size and clearance allowances change. Simone suggests aiming for at least 24 inches of space per person (or per stool). That means if you have an island that is 72 inches (or six feet) long, then your island can only accommodate three barstools.
What's more, there should be 44 inches of clearance between the seat and whatever is behind it, so others can walk freely behind the stools, even when they're occupied.
Other Factors to Consider
Sizing aside, there are plenty of other factors to consider when planning out your dream kitchen island.
Thoughtful Storage
Islands are an excellent source of additional storage. From deep built-in drawers to pull-out shelves and a mix of open and closed shelving, there are plenty of options to choose from. "Ultimately, it’s all about balancing style and function to create a space that truly works for you," Ferguson VonDrak says. If cabinets tend to hide a less-than organized array of dishes and pots, then open shelving probably wouldn't be your best option. However, if you have pretty glassware or dishes, then you might also want to consider open shelves.
Countertop Fabrication
The size of your island will determine what kind of countertop configuration you can have. If it's too large for a singular stone slab, then you may end up with unwanted seams or having to purchase two slabs rather than one-and-a-half, even if you didn't use the entire second one.
Simone also points out that for a smaller kitchen island, it might be better to have a butcher block countertop so the feature can double as a cutting board—ideal for a kitchen with limited storage.
Island Height
Whether you want barstools or not, the height of your kitchen island matters. "If you are tall and hate bending over for food prep, a taller island might be worth considering" says Emily Arthur of custom cabinet brand Isla Porter. "For wheelchair users, a lower island is necessary." If the standard measurements don't work for your height—because remember: Your house should fit your lifestyle—then a custom island might be the way to go.
Double Islands
If you have the space for it, consider installing two kitchen islands. One can be for food prep and cooking; the other for entertaining and eating—almost like a scaled-back dirty kitchen. However, it's important not to disrupt the sacred kitchen triangle, so only go with this option if you really have the square footage and need for it.
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