Kitchen Islands have a variety of purposes in the kitchen area. They are so convenient for the kitchen that many people desire to have kitchen islands in their kitchens.
Well, kitchen islands have different sizes according to fit into the different kitchen areas. Moreover, a lot of sizes, shapes, and designs are available for kitchen islands. If you want to install a kitchen island for your kitchen, you have to consider the space and requirements.
A kitchen island is convenient freestanding furniture that stands in the kitchen area. Whether the design matches your kitchen or not depends on your choice. But generally, kitchen islands have two areas; the working side and the public side.
Kitchen islands are pretty versatile. They provide an excess place for cooking preparation and separate the direct kitchen from the living or dining room. Moreover, kitchen islands have extra sitting and storage space.
When you are planning to install a kitchen island, you should consider how much space you can provide for it. If you put a large kitchen island in a small area, this will create traffic in the area and also look unsuitable. So, you must consider the size of the kitchen island.
Kitchen Island size
Kitchen Islands have a lot of size variations. They can be small, large, and medium. You have to choose the kitchen island according to your kitchen space. Don’t choose the kitchen island that blocks the maximum area of your kitchen or dining.
So, the average size of a kitchen island is 80×40 inches with a 36 inches height. The height of the kitchen island can vary from 36 to 42 inches. But if the height is more than 42 inches, you will need bar stools to sit.
The average dimension of a kitchen island is 80×40 inches with a 36 inches clearance. The clearance might vary some inches. But whatever the average size is, you need to consider your house space to choose the right kitchen island.
For example, small kitchen islands have a 48×24 inches dimension. They have a pretty similar height as the standard ones but not exceeding 36 inches.
Contrarily, the large kitchen islands are 80×40 inches in dimension with 42 inches clearance. Their height can also be up to 42 inches. So, you need to decide which size is suitable for your kitchen.
If you have curiosity about the kitchen island’s size-related questions, you may visit the following links.
- Can kitchen island be too big?
- How can I extend my kitchen island?
- Are kitchen islands just base cabinets?
- Can a kitchen island be longer than cabinets?
- Can kitchen island be table height?
Kitchen cabinet size chart:
| Base Kitchen Cabinet | Wall Kitchen Cabinet | Tall Kitchen Cabinet |
| Height: 34 1/2″ Width: 6-42″ Depth: 24″ Persons: 4 to 6 | Height: 30, 36, 42″ Width: 12-36″ Depth: 12,24″ Persons: 1 to 3 | Height: 84, 90, 96″ Width: 18, 24, 30″ Depth: 24″ Persons: 4 to 6 |
Types of Kitchen Islands
Kitchen Islands can be small or large, cheap or expensive, simple or designer, etc. A lot of types are available. You might face difficulty choosing the right kitchen island for your kitchen area.
So, you can take ideas from the basic type of kitchen islands mentioned here –
Outdoor portable kitchen islands:
Outdoor portable kitchen islands are suitable for a small area. They have wheels on them and they are movable. You can place them either inside the house or take them outside for different purposes.
Rolling carts are also a type of portable kitchen island. They are affordable and easy to use. But they can cause rolling while working on it.
Floating kitchen island:
The floating kitchen island is called floating because the pedestal of the island is invisible from the outside. It will look like the island is floating.
Generally, a floating kitchen island has lighting under it to emphasize open space. Other features are pretty similar to the other types of islands.
Base cabinet kitchen island:
The base cabinet kitchen island is the easiest built-in island. Generally, a base cabinet kitchen has a countertop on it. But the countertop must be cut according to the size.
This type of cabinet is flexible to use. But these types of Kitchen islands bolted to the floor are fixed on the floor. So, you can’t use them as portable islands.
Small and non-portable kitchen island:
Small and non-portable kitchen islands are the traditional kitchen islands. They are simple and straightforward. They stand firm on the floor, so you can work comfortably on them. But for their heavyweight, they are difficult to move.
Kitchen Island Table:
These islands have table-like structures. Even you might not differentiate between a table and a kitchen island. These kitchen islands have a flat surface. Besides, these islands don’t have extra storage capacity like the other ones.
You can easily move these islands. But they don’t have any sink. So, you can use these kitchen islands for having meals or cooking preparation.
Functional kitchen island:
Functional kitchen islands are the most convenient islands. They have water and electricity facilities. They also provide sink and drainage facilities.
But they are not lacking in space. You can perform all the kitchen chores on this island comfortably. But they can be pretty expensive.
Why is the kitchen island necessary?
Kitchen Island is one of the most necessary kitchen appliances. Kitchen Islands provide a where you prepare meals comfortably. Some excellent features make the kitchen island necessary and essential for the kitchen area.
Let’s see why the kitchen island is necessary and its features.
Cooking preparation:
If you don’t have a kitchen island, the kitchen area gets messy while preparing a meal. But you can do all your cooking preparation on the kitchen island. Most kitchen islands have a sink, dishwasher, and water supply on it.
So, you can wash the dishes also.
Storage:
Many kitchen islands provide storage capacity. So, you can store and manage your kitchen tools and appliances on the island storage.
Extra sitting and socialization:
Kitchen Islands are like the dining tables. You can sit there and have your meal. Moreover, you can have a conversation with the family members while cooking or having meals. Kitchen Islands can be a get-together area for the family members.
Versatile and functional:
Different types of kitchen islands give you to use them for different purposes. You can move the rolling kitchen islands to another place. Moreover, they can create a separate kitchen area from the other rooms of the house.
While providing a seating space, you might be thinking about whether the kitchen island can be used as a dining table or not. You may visit the link to see more.
Cost of Kitchen islands
Kitchen Island’s price can vary from cheap to expensive. The price can vary from $100 to $10000. But the average price is between $3000 and $5000. You can find different designs and shapes for movable kitchen islands and carts from $100 to $1000.
They are pretty budget-friendly and flexible to use.
But if you can make the kitchen island and customize it on your own, it might cost $3000 to $10000 according to the materials and designs. If you want high-end countertops, electricity, plumbing, and appliances, the cost might be higher than $6000.
Let’s see the cost of different kitchen islands.
Kitchen Island with sink and dishwasher:
This type of Kitchen Island can cost from $3000 to $5000. The price of the sink and dishwasher can vary, so the price of the kitchen island can also vary. The dimension of this type of Kitchen Island is 60x30x36 inches on average.
Base Cabinet Kitchen Island:
Base Cabinet Kitchen Islands are the simplest Kitchen Islands. But you can modify them with different functions and designs. So, the cost can vary a lot from $1000 to $10000.
Movable Kitchen Island:
These Kitchen Islands are easy to move and use. So, they are pretty budget-friendly. You can get them from $100 to $2500.
Placement and space around the kitchen island
Placement of the kitchen island in the right place is essential. The placement also depends on the dimension of the kitchen island and the space of your kitchen area
If you use stools on the one side of the island, you can keep a 32 to 42 inches gap beside the stools to keep a free area to move freely. Besides, if you use chairs, you have to keep at least a 32 inches free area.
Moreover, keep at least a 24 inches gap between two stools or chairs.
The placement of the kitchen island should be spacious. So, you have to keep at least a 42 inches gap between the island and the counter. Moreover, 32 inches of the walkway around the kitchen island is essential.
If the kitchen island has a sink and dishwasher, a 32 inches gap between them is necessary. If your kitchen area is small, you can decrease some inches of gaps. But make sure the area must not have traffic.
Kitchen island design ideas
Installing Kitchen Island and placement are not the only requirements for Kitchen Island. You can also design the kitchen island to make it look good with your kitchen and dining area. Let’s see some design ideas that you follow.
Shape:
Generally, kitchen islands come in a rectangular shape. But you can choose a different shape to look unique with the arrangement. You can try circular or round shapes also.
Material:
The materials of the kitchen islands can be different like wood, ceramic, board, etc. But you have to consider the suitable material that is durable and stylish looking. Ceramic countertops have plenty of designs.
Color:
Color can change the whole outlook of a kitchen island. You can color the island with your choice. But make sure the color can match the wall color and other furniture of your kitchen area.
Lighting:
Lighting is another essential part of the kitchen island. The kitchen island needs sufficient lighting in the area. Otherwise, the place will not look good, and working on the kitchen island will also be difficult.
Pendant lights are the most perfect choice for the kitchen islands. You can add these lights at the beginning of the area in odd numbers. But don’t add too fancy lights that can look odd with the area.
To know more about the lighting requirements with pendant lights, you can visit the following link.
Sink, Storage & Electric requirements
Functional kitchen islands have a sink, storage, and electric supply on them. If the kitchen island doesn’t have these facilities, you can add them. Let’s see the requirements for a sink, storage, and electricity.
Sink in the kitchen island:
The sink in the kitchen is convenient to do dishes while you prepare meals on the kitchen island. But the island should have enough space for the sink. You have to put the sink in the middle area of the island.
Avoid at least 18 to 20 inches of space from the edges. Moreover, place the sink at a sufficient distance from electric wires and devices.
Kitchen Island Storage:
Many kitchen islands have storage in them. Generally, kitchen islands have drawers where you can put kitchen tools and supplies.
Moreover, many kitchen islands have sections or deckers under the countertop. So, you can put essential things in them.
If your kitchen island doesn’t have drawers, you can add them or modify the island with storage capacity.
Electric requirements:
You can add electric sockets and plugs to the kitchen island. But if you do so, you have to keep a sufficient distance from the water supply. So, you can add the connections on the sidewall of the kitchen island.
You may find other requirements for sinks and storage from the following links.
Are kitchen islands going out of style?
No, kitchen islands are not going out of style. Kitchen islands are one of the traditional kitchen appliances. They have plenty of designs and features.
The materials, colors, lighting, functional devices, and features of kitchen islands are making them more demanding. Even, a lot of ceramic and wood countertops make the kitchen islands stylish and aesthetic.
Moreover, kitchen islands are so convenient that there is a rare alternative to them. So, you can modify and style your own kitchen island.
Kitchen islands provide you a spacious place for preparing meals. Moreover, most kitchen islands have a sink, dishwasher, and electric supply. So, you can work on the kitchen island comfortably.
Kitchen islands have different size variations. You have to choose the right size according to your kitchen area. Moreover, you can choose portable or non-portable kitchen islands according to your purpose.