A kitchen island is a free-standing kitchen block that stands separate in the room, usually in the middle of the kitchen, and is accessible from all sides. It forms a second work or storage station alongside the kitchen run against the wall and is often combined with a worktop, cupboard space and sometimes a hob, sink or seating area.
Function and layout
- Work and storage space — extra worktop surface plus cupboards or drawers on one or both sides
- Cooking island — with a built-in hob and an extractor above the island
- Sink island — with a sink; this requires extra pipework in the floor
- Bar or dining spot — an overhanging top with bar stools
Application
- Open kitchens in spacious kitchen-diners, where the island links the cooking and living areas
- Sociable kitchen — you stand facing the room rather than the wall
Points to note
- Keep at least about 90–120 cm of clear walkway all around, so cupboards and the dishwasher can open and people can pass each other
- A cooking or sink island needs services (water, drainage, electricity) or extraction in the floor; plan this early in the build
- Allow enough space: below about 12–15 m² of kitchen floor an island quickly becomes too cramped
Related terms
- Worktop
- Home automation
- Storey
- Skirting
- Void
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