
A large kitchen island can be installed in a 12×12 sq. ft. kitchen if you consider this alternative. If you have a peninsula style kitchen then this means that you have an open sided kitchen with no walls interfering with the layout. The best solution that most home remodelers use in this design is to remove the peninsula from the equation.
Full Answer
Can you have an island in a 12-foot wide kitchen?
Of course, available space for an island depends on the particular distribution of kitchen workspaces, as well as your lifestyle and family dynamics, but a 12-foot-wide kitchen can certainly have an incredibly efficient island. Small islands can be a functional and beautiful solution — as these gorgeous examples in a range of kitchen sizes prove.
Are small islands a good idea for small kitchens?
Small islands can be a functional and beautiful solution — as these gorgeous examples in a range of kitchen sizes prove. This photo is perfect for our discussion of islands in modestly sized kitchens.
How much countertop space do you need for a kitchen island?
This leaves about 18 to 21 inches for the island width — and that’s countertop space worth having. When it comes to personal family dynamics, keep in mind that such a setup does not allow for another family member to squeeze by the person working at the stove or doing the dishes.
What are the limiting factors when choosing a kitchen island top?
Another limiting factor is the size the worktop material is available in. Ideally, you want to create the island top out of one clean slab of material. Most stone (quartz/granite) worktops come in slabs of approximately 3m x 1.4m. However, some slabs are jumbo-sized and are available a little larger at around 3.2m x 1.5m.

Can I put an island in a 12x12 kitchen?
The general rule is that you will need at least 42 to 48 inches (106.68 cm to 121.92 cm) of open space around your island. Another life-saving guideline: if your kitchen is less than 13 feet wide, we don't recommend adding an island at all.
Can you have an island in a 12 foot wide kitchen?
If your kitchen is narrow or small, there may not be space for an island. Your available space should be about 10 feet wide by 12 feet long at a minimum to fit an island, or else it will overwhelm your room.
How big should a kitchen be to have an island?
Size and Placement Kitchen islands suck space. At minimum, an island should be 4 feet long and a little more than 2 feet deep, but it must also have room for people to move and work around it. Unless your kitchen is at least 8 feet deep and more than 12 feet long, don't even think about an island.
How small can a kitchen island be?
It's recommended that an island is no less than 40 by 40 inches (1 by 1 meter) for a small kitchen, but if you're using an elongated table as opposed to a square, you'll want to go for something no less than 24 inches (61 centimeters) wide to give yourself enough work space.
Can you put an island in a 10x12 kitchen?
Spacious L-Shape Kitchen Layout. To make for more room in your 10x12 kitchen, consider skipping the table and simply sitting at a movable island. A movable island also makes it much easier to move about the kitchen.
Can a 10x10 kitchen have an island?
L-Shaped 10x10 Kitchen With Island For a more open floor plan, you can opt for a small center island that doesn't occupy as much floor space. Alternatively, if your kitchen size allows for it, you can install a large island that takes away floor space but adds functionality.
How much space do you need between an island and a counter?
Kitchen Island Clearance The recommended distance between kitchen work areas, which can include both perimeter countertops and kitchen islands: 42 inches minimum in a single-cook kitchen. 48 inches minimum in a kitchen where more than one cook may be working.
How much space is needed between fridge and island?
The National Kitchen and Bath Association offers these guidelines for minimum landing space: Near the fridge and wall oven, leave 15 inches on both sides (if necessary, one side can be 12 inches).
What is the perfect kitchen layout?
The U-Shape Arguably the most versatile layout for any size of kitchen, a U-shaped floor plan surrounds the user on three sides, so it allows for longer countertops and extra storage cabinetry. “If you have enough space, I love a U-shaped kitchen with an island in the center,” says interior designer Tina Rich.
How far should a kitchen island be from the wall?
No Walkway Behind the Kitchen Island or Peninsula If there is no walkway behind the island or peninsula, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recommends a minimum of 32″ of clearance space between the edge of the countertop or table to any wall or other obstruction behind the seating area.
Are kitchen islands out of style?
Among renovating homeowners, a built-in island is the most sought-after kitchen feature after pantry cabinets, according to a 2017 Houzz kitchen-trends survey of 2,707 people. She notes that as houses grew, islands, popular since the 1980s, have grown along with them.
How wide is a standard kitchen island?
Many kitchen islands are about 2 or 3 feet wide, but if you need more counter space, seating space, etc., you can go a little larger. Budget around 7 feet if you want a cooktop or sink in the island.
How much clearance between fridge and island?
A 36-inch clearance would also not be enough between a fridge and an island, unless it is a French door fridge, which has a smaller door swing. One option would be to add a small prep sink into the island, to avoid anyone’s having to walk around the island while someone else is working at the stove.
What does it mean to pick a small island?
Picking a small island also means you can be daring with your choice of material or color.
How high should a dining table be?
A typical chair height is 18 inches for a 30-inch-high dining table. However, that height won’t work for a standard 36-inch high-countertop. Look for 24-inch-high stools for your kitchen island, unless the model has an option to move the seat up or down.
Is a 12 ft island wide enough?
I've read time and time again that a 12-foot-wide kitchen isn't wide enough for an island. Of course, available space for an island depends on the particular distribution of kitchen workspaces, as well as your lifestyle and family dynamics, but a 12-foot-wide kitchen can certainly have an incredibly efficient island. Small islands can be a functional and beautiful solution — as these gorgeous examples in a range of kitchen sizes prove.
island in 12' wide kitchen?
We are remodeling the kitchen and I really want an island but my kitchen is 12' by 21'. I know I have a lot of counter space but I like the utility of counter in the middle of the kitchen and would like a 2' by 6' island. The problem is the usual minimum is 4' of space around an island.
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The problem is that you're not counting the actual space between countertops, and that's what counts, not the space between the cabinets. If you have the standard 1 1/2" of overhang on your perimeters, and do the absolute minimum of aisle space at 36" (42" is much better!) you don't have room for a 24" island.
What is the narrowest kitchen?
The narrowest kitchen that can fit an island is generally an open-concept room that faces dining or living space. This is due to the fact that the circulation space on the far side of the island can belong to the neighboring room. You’re blurring the lines between spaces. That looks like this:
What is the walk space in a kitchen?
The outer walk space is usually a continuation of the house hallway or is a path to a back door or patio. It’s the “through space” whereas the first walk path is for people working in the kitchen.
What is a peninsula table?
Peninsulas and work tables function similarly to islands, but are more flexible. Peninsulas save space since you only have to leave walk space on three sides (as opposed to four). Work tables are versatile because you can have a large one with space for dining, or you can get a compact butcher block on casters that can be wheeled away to keep things open.
Do islands get cluttered?
More dedicated prep space. Islands tend not to get cluttered like counter tops do. You might put a collection of cookbooks or your mixer on your counter top. You probably wouldn’t do that on your island since there’s no wall for them to sit up against. [bra_divider height=’10’]
How far apart should a kitchen island be?
A kitchen island isn’t a one-size-fits-all feature. You need to have at least one metre (40 inches) between the worktop/cabinets and the run. Any narrower and it will likely feel too tight. This distance ensures you can walk around the island easily.
How big is a kitchen island?
While the average size of a kitchen island is 2000mm x 1000mm (80 x 40 inches), there are many possibilities when it comes to the shape and size of kitchen islands.
How big should the gap be for an island?
If you are tight on space but really want an island, you can push the gap to 90 cm (35 inches), but make sure you are happy with this limited space before signing off your kitchen design. Try setting up an island made of cardboard boxes in your existing space for a week or two.
What is the benefit of a peninsula?
The benefit of the peninsula is that you don’t have to have that extra clearance space on a fourth side like you would for an island. This means you can often design a peninsula in a smaller space and still achieve a seating area. Islands are great, but peninsulas are too. Don’t be disappointed if you can’t fit an island – this alternative will ...
Can an island float away from a fixed kitchen?
The island can start to (if you’ll forgive the pun) float away from the fixed kitchen, looking a little lost in the space. It is also not as practical for the layout, as it will cause you to take a few extra steps every time you change workstations.
Do kitchen islands fit in every room?
Having an island is probably the most desired feature in a new kitchen. While they are lovely and can be incredibly practical for a kitchen layout, they won’t fit into every space. There are some kitchen island size guidelines you should consider before deciding if this feature is right for your space.
