Choosing a Kitchen Island : 11 Things To Consider

The kitchen is the heart of the home, a place where the family and friends come together for cooking, dining, and socializing. And the centerpiece for your space? That’s the island. Unify all of your needs in one central work space.

1. Traffic flow: Ideally, an island should have 36 to 48 inches of space around all sides to accommodate foot traffic. The center of the room is not always the ideal place for an island, depending on your use of it. An island designed for food prep should be situated near outlets and appliances, while an island designed for cleanup should be situated near the dishwasher and waste disposal. An island designed around family time and alternative seating can offer convenience while you’re in the kitchen.

2. Size & seating: To use an island as an informal dining space, plan for at least 24 inches of width per person. For adequate legroom, make sure there’s a clearance of 9 to 13 inches between the knees and the bottom of the counter. Bar height counters are usually 42” using a 30” seat height stool, while counter heights are usually 36” H accommodating a counter stool with 24”h seat. If room allows, maybe you need two work spaces!