How Big Should Your Kitchen Island Be?
October 5, 2021
If space permits, having a kitchen island can provide you with plenty of additional counter space to prep your meals, house accessories and other decorative items, and serve as a spot to congregate and even enjoy a meal.
But before you add an island to your kitchen, there are a few decisions that will need to be made, including how big this structure should be.
So, how do you determine the ideal size of your kitchen island?
Sizing Your Kitchen Island
At the very least, your kitchen island should be a minimum of 4 feet x 2 feet and should have at least 36 to 42 inches of clearance all around it so you’re not cramped for space. After marking out the surrounding space, you’ll have some idea of much room you have left to work with and the size of the kitchen island you can have.
Keep in mind that your kitchen will need to be a certain size and configuration in order for an island to work. That means your kitchen space should be at least 13 feet wide, otherwise the odds of an island fitting properly will be unlikely.
As far as height is concerned, your kitchen island should be at least 3 feet. If you plan to use the island to eat at, you may want to raise the height even more to 42 inches or so. Otherwise, you can add a raised bar. In this case, you’ll need some extra clearance around the island to accommodate bar stools.
Consider Kitchen Island Configurations
Standard sizing is a good starting point when deciding how big to make your kitchen island. But you’ll also want to take into consider certain configurations based on how you plan to use the island.
For instance, if your kitchen is on the larger end, you have the opportunity to install a bigger island that can serve a multitude of purposes, including cooking, meal prepping, eating, entertaining, and decorating. You might also want to house your sink or dishwasher in your island if space permits.
These “all-inclusive” islands should be configured and built based on the idea that they are large enough to maintain some level of clutter-free counter space.
If you’re looking to add a kitchen island to your kitchen space but don’t have a clue where to start, Hope Designs can help. Book a design consultation today!