Designing Your Kitchen Island: Function-First

Overall Space

• The islands we craft for our clients typically range in dimension from 4-14 feet long and 2-4 feet deep, meaning they can own their space in almost any environment and meet a wide range of household needs. But the actual dimensions of the room can play a huge role in if and how an island can fit well in, and enhance, a kitchen.
• Small kitchens may find their flow interrupted or cramped if an island is added, at least if not very strategically designed. In this case, it may prove more effective to incorporate a peninsula (an island connected to other kitchen cabinetry on one side), or a furniture-style island on casters (so it can be relocated or stored in another space), or simply maximize counter space along the perimeter of your kitchen and avoid the additional cabinetry altogether.
• On the other end of the spectrum, if your kitchen is an expansive space, you may want to consider installing two islands, one dedicated more so to cooking and food prep, and the other to eating, conversation, and work. This can really enhance the grandeur of your space by coordinating, and designating, the various workspaces in the room.

Design Partner: Baudit Interior Design; Contractor Partner: Slotegraaf Construction

Design Partner: Tami Grace Van Dyke

Room Layout

• In addition to size, layout makes a huge difference in if and how an island can be incorporated into your kitchen. If you have a narrow, galley kitchen, an island may be out of the question simply due to a need for walking space between the cabinets. The same could be true of a small u-shaped kitchen - an island across the fourth side could make the space feel closed off and cramped. 
• That being said, L-shaped kitchens are often perfectly set-up to host an island, and, if the space is large enough, an island can even act as a focal point in a u-shaped kitchen.
• When thinking about layout, also consider if your home is an open-concept design, or divided more clearly into rooms - these walls and flooring changes can also impact how and where your island will need to be positioned to keep your spaces cohesive and logical.

Everyday Flow

• An open-concept design also often increases the need for a multi-functional island - perhaps one that can be used for working, cooking, and eating simultaneously by various members of your household. The size, layout, and structure of your island can be tailored to meet each of these needs in a practical way.
• An island can also substantially decrease your privacy while cooking and cleaning in the kitchen, so consider carefully which kitchen responsibilities you're most comfortable doing in front of others - these can be positioned in the island, as it is always the most accessible and central element of your kitchen. 
• How many people will be going in and out of your kitchen at the same time? Do kids also need access to the island? Do you tend to cook one-pot dishes or meals that require many elements and lots of multi-tasking? These kinds of questions are important to consider as you design your island. An island works better than a peninsula in terms of creating flow for multiple people or multi-component cooking, thanks to two access points to the central kitchen space. However, two access points also means a setting that invites others to feel welcome in the space, and could lead to a busier, more free-flowing kitchen environment. Consider what works best for you and your family!