Do you want to build an enchanting kitchen island and find the perfect kitchen island size?
An average kitchen island size is about 80 x 40 inches (6 by 3 feet) with a height of 36 to 42 inches.
The kitchen island looks cute and is amazingly convenient as it increases shelf space in your kitchen.
You can have happy gossip with your family while cooking for them because it can be used as a sitting place and dining table.
Being in the center of the kitchen, it is accessible from all corners of your kitchen.
To find the perfect fit for your kitchen, here are the things you need to know before setting up your kitchen island.
What is the best size for a kitchen island?
The size of a kitchen island depends on the size of your kitchen.
Here are some approximate measurements compared to the size of a kitchen:
- A kitchen island for a small-sized kitchen is 3 to 4 feet without a sink.
- For a large kitchen, the size of the kitchen island should be 10 to 14 feet.
- The size of this kitchen island for a medium-sized kitchen should be 8 to 10 feet.
If you want to add a sink, you can increase the length of the kitchen island accordingly to 3 feet.
Kitchen Island Benefits
A kitchen island is the most in-demand feature of a modern kitchen.
It gives your kitchen a new and attractive look.
So, many people are switching towards this option to furnish their kitchen.
Here are some benefits of a kitchen island:
- A kitchen island acts as an extra storage space, and you can put the ready dishes on it while preparing many dishes.
- You can prepare dough for baking items on this open, clean shelf.
- You can teach your children or family members recipes in this convenient space where they can learn easily while sitting on their chairs.
- You can have tea or meals with your family on this kitchen island; in this way, it acts as a multipurpose feature for your kitchen.
- You can easily create cooking videos on your kitchen island, as many professionals do.
How Big Should a Kitchen Island Be?
Your kitchen island should be as big as a 12 to 30-inch space between counters and island, so you can move and work easily.
The size of a kitchen island always depends on the size of the kitchen.
The bigger the kitchen, the bigger the island.
If your kitchen space is small due to shelves, then you can have a different-shaped kitchen island to get accommodated easily.
Usually, people build a 6-foot long and 3-foot wide kitchen island.
How much space should there be between the island and the counter?
There must be a space of 12 to 30 inches between the island and the counter, so there will be enough room for you to walk and work easily in that space.
This distance can vary, but ensure you leave a proper, convenient space.
This space should be wide enough to allow 2 persons to pass through it easily at the same time.
How much overhang should a kitchen island have?
The overhang of a kitchen island is an extension of your kitchen island without support.
You can build a large overhang without support if you have a big kitchen island.
A stable overhang should also be small if your kitchen island is small.
We recommend a 12 inches overhang for an 80 by 40-inch kitchen island.
How much space do you need for seating each person at a kitchen island?
The space of a seater on the kitchen island should be accommodative and comfortable.
Normally, 20 to 24 inches of space is required by an average person to sit comfortably at a kitchen island, getting sufficient elbow space.
How wide is a kitchen island with seating?
On average, a kitchen island is 2 to 3 feet wide with seatings.
You can change this size a bit according to your demand and choice.
How big is too big for a kitchen island?
A kitchen island’s average size is 80 by 40 inches.
Making it much bigger than your kitchen hinders you from working comfortably and makes your kitchen look cramped.
Make a standard-sized kitchen island that will not obstruct your work path and allow 2 to 3 persons to pass from that space at a time.
Generally, making a kitchen island more than 14 inches is too big for a kitchen island.
What can you do if you don’t have room for a kitchen island?
If you don’t have enough room for a kitchen island, but you still want to have a kitchen island, then you can take these steps:
Hide the seatings
You can build a small kitchen island with seating that can be put under the kitchen island.
This way, you can get space for walking and working around the island.
Build a different island shape
If your cabinets are hindering space in building a kitchen island, then you can choose a different shape for the kitchen island.
You can have a wide Island surface on the side where space is more and a small Island surface where the space is less.
Foldable outhang
You can get a foldable out hang for your kitchen island.
It can be folded when working in your kitchen and opened again if you want to use it for sitting.
Foldable furniture can be a bit expensive, but it serves multiple purposes for you.
Adjust in tight spacing
If you want to build a kitchen island but don’t have enough space in the kitchen, then you can build it if you can adjust the tight spacing for working and walking around the kitchen island.
Popular Kitchen Island Configurations
There are so many configurations for kitchen islands.
Here are some popular ones:
- Rolling cart kitchen island
- Industrial kitchen island
- Antique kitchen island
- Kitchen island table
- Modern kitchen island
- Kitchen island with seating
- Kitchen island with seating for one person
- Dual kitchen island for two persons
- Kitchen island with a few seating
- Kitchen island cabinet storage
- Small, non-portable kitchen island
You can choose any configuration of your taste and choice and style your kitchen according to your view.
Kitchen island size for a galley layout
You can add kitchen Island to a galley layout if the layout width is at least 10 feet.
On average, a kitchen Island size for a galley layout is 2 to 3 feet In width, and its length can be about 8 to 10 inches.
Kitchen island size guidelines and countertop material
Kitchen Island size should always be according to your kitchen size.
A kitchen island of 8 to 10 feet is perfect if your size is big.
If your kitchen Island is small, get a kitchen Island of about 3 to 4 feet.
The space between the kitchen island and counters should necessarily be 12 to 30 inches so that you can walk and work easily in this space.
Countertop Material For Kitchen Island
Many countertop materials are available in the market, i.e.,
- Granite
- Quartz
- Silestone
- Caesarstone
- Soapstone
- Wood
But the best material for a kitchen island countertop is Granite.
Granite is not only beautiful and classy material, but it is also durable.
That’s why it is the most popular and in-demand material for countertops.
Kitchen Island Size – FAQs
What is the difference between a kitchen island and a peninsula?
A kitchen island is a free table-like shelf in the center of your kitchen.
It is not attached to any wall or kitchen shelves, and all four sides are free.
Peninsula is a shelf attached to a wall or any other kitchen shelf, and it is not a free-lying shelf.
A peninsula is not always present in the center of your kitchen, while a kitchen island is always present in the center of a kitchen.
Should your kitchen island match your cabinets?
It is not necessary to match your kitchen island to cabinets.
You can use a contrasting color that gives your kitchen an attractive look.
If you want your kitchen to have a relatively symmetrical look, use the same color of your kitchen island as cabinets.
What is a good size for a kitchen island?
A good size for your kitchen always depends on the size of your kitchen.
For a big kitchen, a large-sized kitchen island looks glorious, but if you place a small size, it will neither give an appealing look nor accommodate other things.
A good kitchen island should be so big as to leave a 12 to 30 inches space between counters and island for a pathway to work comfortably.
What is the average size of a kitchen island?
The average size of a kitchen island for a normal-sized kitchen is 80 x 40 inches.
This size can vary according to the size of your kitchen.
What is the standard island size?
80 by 40 inches (3.5 to 6.5 feet) is the standard for a kitchen island.
Before considering this size for your kitchen, ensure you leave the proper distance between kitchen counters and the island to walk and work in that space comfortably.
How small is too small for a kitchen island?
If there is a distance of more than 30 inches between your kitchen counters and the island, then the size of your kitchen is too small.
So, kitchen island size always depends on your kitchen size, how big your kitchen is, and how big the kitchen island is suitable for it.
Is a 10-inch island overhang enough?
Yes, an overhang of 10 to 12 inches is normal for a kitchen island of 80 by 40 inches.
The overhang can be big or small, depending on the size of your kitchen island.
What is a good size kitchen?
A good kitchen should be between 80 sq feet and 200 sq feet.
A small-sized kitchen is 70 sq feet or lower than it.
A large-sized kitchen is mostly around 200 sq feet.
So, if your kitchen is at least 75 sq feet, you can add a kitchen island.
If your kitchen width is 13 feet, then never think to add a kitchen island to it.
Your kitchen should be at least 20 feet wide for a kitchen island.
How big should a kitchen island be with a sink?
A kitchen island should be big enough to accommodate stools and sink properly.
A good kitchen island size is 8 to 10 feet with a sink.
How do you measure a kitchen island?
- First of all, measure the size of your kitchen other than shelves.
- Then subtract 15 inches for a small kitchen and 30 inches for a large kitchen from that measurement.
- The measurement you get is the ideal size of your kitchen island.
You can change this measurement later according to your demand.
If you want more stools on your kitchen island, you should compromise the spacing between counters and the island.
How long should an island be for 2 stools?
A kitchen island for 2 stools should be 3 to 4 feet.
If you want to add a sink, this size should be 5 to 6 feet.
How long should a kitchen island be for 3 stools?
A good length of a kitchen island for 3 stools is 5 feet without a sink and 8 to 10 feet with a sink.
How long should an island be for 4 stools?
A kitchen island for 4 stools should be 8 feet long to allow 4 people to sit comfortably.
If you place a sink, this size will be 10 feet.
How long should a kitchen island be for 6 stools?
A good length for a kitchen island with 6 stools is 10 feet.
If you want to place a sink, this length should be 14 feet.
Final Thoughts
A kitchen island is a beautiful choice for your kitchen.
Before setting a kitchen island in your kitchen, ensure that you leave a proper space around it for moving and working.
Your kitchen island size should be 3 feet to 10 feet according to the size of the kitchen, and Granite is the ideal kitchen island countertop material.
