Kitchen Guides
Here's How to Fit an Island Into a Small Kitchen
Maximise your cooking prep area and storage even if your kitchen isn't huge with an island sized and styled to fit
I’ve read time and time again that a 12-foot-wide kitchen isn’t wide enough for an island. Of course, available space for an island depends on the particular distribution of kitchen workspaces, as well as your lifestyle and family dynamics, but a 12-foot-wide kitchen can certainly have an incredibly efficient island. Small islands can be a functional and beautiful solution – as these gorgeous examples in a range of kitchen sizes prove.
Consider a square island if it suits your space, but keep in mind that a countertop larger than 4 by 4 feet will be difficult to reach and keep clean.
To make an island truly yours, give some thought to what you want to store there. It’s worthwhile to integrate a mix of small and large drawers, an open shelf for storing larger items like platters, or baskets for storing root vegetables.
Browse through images of small islands
To make an island truly yours, give some thought to what you want to store there. It’s worthwhile to integrate a mix of small and large drawers, an open shelf for storing larger items like platters, or baskets for storing root vegetables.
Browse through images of small islands
This is a larger kitchen with a charming little round island, with a stunning two-tone butcherblock top.
When deciding on the shape and design of an island, you’ll want to consider access for pets and children, what you want to store and display in the island and how often you entertain. Everyone has different ideas about the presence of pets and their snouts getting into food-related items!
When deciding on the shape and design of an island, you’ll want to consider access for pets and children, what you want to store and display in the island and how often you entertain. Everyone has different ideas about the presence of pets and their snouts getting into food-related items!
This is a simple yet very effective island design executed with a 4-inch-thick butcher block top. Adding a towel bar or some hooks to one side could help increase its usefulness, too.
It’s great to see such a soft modern interpretation of a small island. Lifted up on stylish stainless steel legs, this island provides storage and style at the same time. Picking a small island also means you can be daring with your choice of material or colour.
Consider these things before installing an island
Consider these things before installing an island
Small but hardworking, this tiny island is not more than 30 inches wide, yet it manages to house one of those very practical microwave drawers. It is nicely wrapped into angled posts, an easy design to integrate into a small kitchen.
Drawer styles allow you to hide your microwave as much as possible; plus, you don’t have to strain to look at the controls or load it up. The slanted control pad and push-button opening on this microwave drawer make it easy on the eye and the back.
Drawer styles allow you to hide your microwave as much as possible; plus, you don’t have to strain to look at the controls or load it up. The slanted control pad and push-button opening on this microwave drawer make it easy on the eye and the back.
Twice the length of the previous island, this island is one hardworking piece of cabinetry. Beautifully executed with corner posts and a furniture-style toe kick, it houses a microwave and a mini fridge.
The stone countertop with the corner detail adds another layer of elegance.
The stone countertop with the corner detail adds another layer of elegance.
Along with a handy-three drawer cabinet, this unit helps keep cookbooks right at hand. You could also add a row of square cubbies for wine bottle storage just below the countertop, which would still allow for two shelves underneath.
These reasons make an island irresistible
These reasons make an island irresistible
The small island gives you an opportunity to add a splash of bold colour to an otherwise neutral space. This one looks charming and has lots of storage, and the wood counter adds country-living flavour.
Here’s an interesting way to create seating space in a modern kitchen. Note how the white quartz counter is used in lieu of a cabinet gable on the sink side, continues the cabinet for about 12 inches and then juts out to allow clearance for stools.
As for countertop overhangs, keep in mind that stone counters need more support than quartz ones. Brackets are a typical solution, but on a small unit they might get in the way. Flat steel bars are an invisible solution, but you should discuss this with your stone manufacturer and cabinet supplier early on.
Tip: Be aware of the different chair and stool heights, so you can select the right one for your kitchen. Make sure to test each model by actually sitting in it, as certain designs work better for short- or long-legged individuals than others.
A typical chair height is 18 inches for a 30-inch-high dining table. However, that height won’t work for a standard 36-inch high-countertop. Look for 24-inch-high stools for your kitchen island, unless the model has an option to move the seat up or down.
Stools for standard 42-inch bar heights are usually 30 inches high and often have a footrest.
As for countertop overhangs, keep in mind that stone counters need more support than quartz ones. Brackets are a typical solution, but on a small unit they might get in the way. Flat steel bars are an invisible solution, but you should discuss this with your stone manufacturer and cabinet supplier early on.
Tip: Be aware of the different chair and stool heights, so you can select the right one for your kitchen. Make sure to test each model by actually sitting in it, as certain designs work better for short- or long-legged individuals than others.
A typical chair height is 18 inches for a 30-inch-high dining table. However, that height won’t work for a standard 36-inch high-countertop. Look for 24-inch-high stools for your kitchen island, unless the model has an option to move the seat up or down.
Stools for standard 42-inch bar heights are usually 30 inches high and often have a footrest.
This is another inventive example of a tiny island; it has a dropped seating area in a contrasting material. The wood counter’s round shape is perfect for a smooth transition into the aisle space, and wood is warm and soft to the touch, as opposed to granite.
Allow 2 feet of width per chair for comfortable seating – more if the two of you want to both read the paper at the same time in the morning.
Read more:
30 of the Best Small Kitchens From Around the World
Tell us:
Have you tried to fit a small island into your kitchen? How did you do it? Share your ideas and tips in the Comments below.
Allow 2 feet of width per chair for comfortable seating – more if the two of you want to both read the paper at the same time in the morning.
Read more:
30 of the Best Small Kitchens From Around the World
Tell us:
Have you tried to fit a small island into your kitchen? How did you do it? Share your ideas and tips in the Comments below.
When it comes to personal family dynamics, keep in mind that such a setup does not allow for another family member to squeeze by the person working at the stove or doing the dishes. I call it the “butt rub” factor, which can definitely cause arguments at the end of a long day. A 36-inch clearance would also not be enough between a fridge and an island, unless it is a French door fridge, which has a smaller door swing.
One option would be to add a small prep sink into the island, to avoid anyone’s having to walk around the island while someone else is working at the stove.