Now more than ever, today’s lifestyle calls for an open floor plan. Traditional seating areas have given way to islands, making the kitchen a wide-open gathering place for cooking and conversation. Increasingly, homeowners want open-concept floor plans in their kitchen remodels to create a more flowing space. Before including kitchen island designs in your renovation plan, here are some basic ideas to consider.

Under-cabinet-lightingUnder-cabinet-lighting
Shaker Inset cabinets in White and Green, over-island pendant lights, glass-front cabinet accent lights and under-cabinet task lights.

What’s Your Island’s Purpose?

When planning for your kitchen island you should have clear ideas regarding design and function. Consider whether your priority is additional seating, food preparation and cleanup, or storage. If it’s all of these, you’ll need enough space to accommodate a large enough island.

These considerations most often require input from a professional kitchen designer who can help with details you may not have planned for. A quality island with full-featured options is custom-designed and built to precise specifications for a homeowner’s unique needs.

Transitional style two-tone kitchen with inset Shaker cabinets, large gray island with open shelving, white perimeter cabinets with glass front cabinets surrounding the window and sinkTransitional style two-tone kitchen with inset Shaker cabinets, large gray island with open shelving, white perimeter cabinets with glass front cabinets surrounding the window and sink
This large gray island is the perfect combination of functional prep space, casual seating, storage and decorative shelving.

Kitchen Islands Require Space

The average size for an island is 3 feet x 6.5 feet. Clearance around an island should be at least 42 inches from the edge of the working side to the opposite countertop and cabinets. The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends 42 to 48 inches for work aisles. You should allow enough room for safe movement around the island and throughout the kitchen.

Arge White Kitchen Island with Dark CountertopArge White Kitchen Island with Dark Countertop
Island legs help support heavy countertops and can be customized to add decorative appeal.

If one side includes seating, plan for a minimum clearance of 60 inches between seats and objects behind them.

Island height usually matches a countertop height of 36 inches. For “bar height” islands featuring stools for seating, the island countertop height should be 42 inches. A popular workaround is to build a two-tiered island, higher at the seating edge, and lower at the working edge.

Large blue-gray color two-tier island with white countertops and blue tile backsplash and farmhouse hardware cup pullsLarge blue-gray color two-tier island with white countertops and blue tile backsplash and farmhouse hardware cup pulls
This two-tier island houses a Pull-out Wastebasket, Dish Drawer, Roll-out Trays and Microwave Cabinet.

Features Determine Size

If an island includes a sink and/or cooktop, it will naturally need to be larger to accommodate these items. This is especially true if seating is also in the mix. Larger custom-built islands can also include dishwashers, microwave drawers, beverage coolers, open shelving, and additional electrical outlets. With so many kitchen island design possibilities, it’s no wonder they’re often at the top of so many homeowners’ remodeling lists!

Open gray kitchen island using voided doors for storage space.Open gray kitchen island using voided doors for storage space.
The large island uses base cabinets with matching gray interior and voided doors to add open storage.

Ask for Professional Help

Every island CliqStudios builds is unique. Each one is a personalized expression of our customer’s style and the centerpiece of the final kitchen design. Our kitchen designers have a wealth of experience in creating kitchen islands from cabinets and accessories. And our design service is free. Let us know if your kitchen makeover will include an island or peninsula. Or, if you are looking for ways to fit one into your space.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is average size of kitchen island?

Usually, a kitchen island is about 36" high and 24" deep.

What is the minimum space between kitchen island and cabinets?

The minimum space between a kitchen island and the perimeter cabinets is 36", 42" is best because you can still walk around an oven or dishwasher door that is down.

Where to buy kitchen islands?

Typically kitchen island cabinets can be purchased online, such as CliqStudios.com, a kitchen cabinet dealer, or from a big box home improvement store.

How much does a kitchen island cost?

Kitchen island costs can vary. The average kitchen island is roughly twice the linear foot cost of standard kitchen cabinets because it needs finished panels and moldings, and can contain high functioning storage cabinets such as a waste basket or drawer base.

How tall is a kitchen island?

Including countertops, kitchen islands are 36" high for standard work surfaces, but can have secondary bar height seating at 42"high.

How to install a kitchen island?

Including countertops, kitchen islands are 36" high for standard work surfaces, but can have secondary bar height seating at 42"high.

What is a kitchen island?

A kitchen island is defined as a separate group of cabinets that is independent of the main kitchen cabinet areas that can be accessed from all sides.

How to extend kitchen island?

Kitchen islands really can't be extended, primarily because of existing countertops and cabinets. However, if you are remodeling, the island can be as long as your space allows.

Are kitchen islands going out of style?

There's a small design trend that's pulling away from kitchen islands and correlates with open concept design. Most people still recognize the benefits of additional countertop, cabinets, and gathering space provided by an island.

What is average size of kitchen island?

The average kitchen island is roughly 36"- 48" wide by 24"-30" deep.

Does a kitchen island need an electrical outlet?

Having an electrical outlet in an island will be regulated by local municipalities. Most local ordinances (code laws) will require an outlet somewhere in the island. This ordinance does not apply to mobile islands.

Are kitchen islands still popular?

Kitchen islands are still extremely popular because of the benefits of additional countertop, cabinet and gathering space. The reality is less than half of existing kitchen spaces have the room to accommodate an island.

Can a small kitchen have an island?

The smaller the kitchen the less likely the design can accommodate an island. The issue is that an island needs to be accessed from all sides. Most of the time in small kitchens the island concept turns into a peninsula.

Is it better to have a kitchen table or island?

To have an island or a table, that can serve as island, is strictly personal preference. Both accomplish similar things. If budget is restricted a kitchen table can be an excellent, cost savings, alternative.

Is my kitchen big enough for an island?

The size of your kitchen, and the living space surrounding the kitchen effects whether or not an island is the right choice. An island needs roughly 36"-42" of space surrounding all sides for access, seating and appliance accessibility. Your best bet is to consult a professional kitchen designer.

Are kitchen islands fixed to the floor?

Most of the time kitchen islands are cabinets that are fixed to the floor. They need to be to support countertops, appliances and typical cabinetry. But mobile islands are becoming more popular but have a lot of restrictions for total use.

How are kitchen islands installed?

Kitchen islands are installed to the kitchen floor. They require additional build up blocks under the cabinet to attach to the floor and the cabinets.

How much space do you need around a kitchen island?

An island needs roughly 36"-42" of space surrounding all sides for access, seating and appliance accessibility. Anything less than that the kitchen will be difficult to work in.

Can I put an island in a 10x10 kitchen?

A 10ˈx10ˈ can have an island if there is enough space. A 10ˈx10ˈ kitchen is an "L-shaped" kitchen and the middle floor space area is a perfect spot - if there are no walls in the way.

Does a kitchen island add value?

In general a well designed kitchen island may add additional value to the home.

How much is a simple kitchen island?

The cost of an island is never simple. The cabinet(s) type, internal cabinet storage solutions, countertop material, and overall design all affect cost.

How much is it to install a kitchen island?

The cost to install a kitchen island is about twice as much as cabinetry against the wall because the back (and maybe the sides) have to be finished and because the island attaches to the floor and requires additional steps.

Is it cheaper to build a kitchen island?

It can more cost effective to build your own kitchen island. It all depends on what you want the island to do. In the end it may be cheaper but not easier.

Should a kitchen island have a sink?

Whether a kitchen island has a sink is completely a personal choice. It can have a cooktop/range or nothing.

What is the average cost of a kitchen island?

Sorry to say that there isn't an average cost for a kitchen island. There are many aspects that affect cost that starts with the cabinet line quality. Door style, specie, and color also influences price. Finally, every kitchen is unique and islands even more so because how they get designed and used.

What is the average kitchen island size?

On average, a kitchen island size ranges from 36"- 48" wide and 24" deep.

What is the purpose of a kitchen island?

The purpose of a kitchen island is to add countertop, cabinet and storage space, a design focal point, and a gathering space.