Kitchen Solution: The Open Island
No Room for a Big Island? Here's How to Create More Working Space Anyway
Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More »
Do you long for a kitchen island but fear that your kitchen is too small to handle one? This may not be the case. Like me, you may have had a large, clunky, massive image of a kitchen island in your head. You see, yesterday I was checking out my friend Heather's new pad, and she mentioned adding an island to her kitchen. With the above-mentioned big island in my head, I thought she was a little nuts, but then I started browsing Houzz.
I stumbled upon a slew of islands that resemble tables and free-standing industrial counters. These models have a lot of advantages. While they don't have as many storage options as their clunkier island brothers, their open shapes take up less visual and physical space.
If all you really need is an extra surface for working and gathering, and perhaps an extra shelf, here are some options to consider for your kitchen.
I stumbled upon a slew of islands that resemble tables and free-standing industrial counters. These models have a lot of advantages. While they don't have as many storage options as their clunkier island brothers, their open shapes take up less visual and physical space.
If all you really need is an extra surface for working and gathering, and perhaps an extra shelf, here are some options to consider for your kitchen.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
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| This kitchen is about the same size as my friend Heather's kitchen, and this petite and open island provides an extra prep surface as well as a shelf underneath. It's the perfect size for a small kitchen. Private Comment
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| If you think that your kitchen may be too narrow for an island, consider a long narrow table like this one. Private Comment
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An island with metal legs and a laminate top keeps this kitchen light and airy, thus (the open shelves used in lieu of traditional cabinets have a similar effect). This is a great example of modernizing the cottage style.
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| This table-like island has high farmhouse-table style, adding traditional lines and materials to a modern kitchen. Private Comment
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| Technically, this is a kitchen peninsula because it's connected, but this piece could be used as an island and float wherever you want it. The metal finish adds commercial-kitchen style to this summer home.
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Kitchen expert Rebekah Zaveloff says "I love open kitchen islands for smaller spaces because you don’t need an extra overhang like you do when there’s closed storage...I love the easy access to everyday salad bowls, pots and pans." |
This vintage cart adds character, patina and personality to this kitchen. This designer has done a great job of using just the right number of vintage objects, such as the enamel Morton's Salt sign, vintage clock, counter stool and cart. These items add the right balance of well-worn character into the light kitchen, without stepping into vintage overload.
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| This island had some drawers for extra storage and still keeps a more open feeling. I like the contrast of the blue paint with the rich reclaimed wood. Private Comment
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| This island is perfectly scaled to fit in the long but narrow kitchen. A good test for gauging measurements and placement is to open your oven, dishwasher, cabinets and refrigerator to make sure there is enough clear space in the center of all of them.
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Next: I've found a few free-standing islands for you to consider. Keep in mind that you also may opt to have one custom made. |
This island has great vintage-modern style. It will fit right into a more traditional kitchen and will add some character to a more modern kitchen.
This is a more rustic industrial vintage-modern island. The casters make it a versatile piece that you can use as a sideboard in the dining room or as a bar on the deck when you have guests. However, if your parties are anything like mine, you'll need to keep it parked in the kitchen, because everyone will wind up gathering around it in there no matter what you do to lure them to other rooms.
One great thing about islands is that the counter tops do NOT have to match the rest of the counters in the kitchen, and butcher block is a surface that fits into any kitchen.
| This island is somewhat similar to the previous one. The difference is that you can tuck counter stools underneath it. In a tight space, this can make a big difference. Private Comment
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This island adds commercial kitchen style. With the current proliferation of shows like Top Chef, this is a trend that's here to stay for quite awhile.
This one is somewhat similar to the one above, with some added industrial character and portability. By the way, you can lock these wheels in place once you find the perfect spot for it.
This island will add sophisticated country charm to any kitchen. It will also fit in well with a Scandinavian-inspired kitchen.
| This style is similar to the one in the first image of this ideabook; it's a farmhouse table with extra height, and adds a bit of tradition to any style kitchen.
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More: The Well Concealed Kitchen Kitchen Layouts: Island or Peninsula? How to Set Up Your Kitchen |
Comments
Bud Dietrich, AIA says:
I agree with you becky. Even a small island helps establish work areas and keep traffic zoned properly.
12 months ago ·
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J. says:
What would the minimum dimension be to do a long narrow open island without feeling to narrow on either side? I have a galley kitchen and would love an island but I don't think I have enough room.
12 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
Rumbell, Of course make sure none of you cabinets or appliances with open doors hit the island. For me, it would be my hips plus a few inches on either side for comfortable clearance as another test; you don't want to have to be sidling sideways just to get from one end of your kitchen to the other.
12 months ago ·
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Danielle says:
Love this idea for an island...am going to try it in an interim rental. Great ideabook Becky, always love yours!
12 months ago ·
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myhouzzisyourhouzz says:
Like your idea of putting a table in the kitchen to use for work! Very versatile.
12 months ago ·
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kirkdonna4ever says:
Sam's club has stainless rolling carts that are very affordable. I am purchasing one for my laundry room to sort and fold on.
12 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
Thanks guys! And thanks for the tipoff kirkdonna, good to know!
12 months ago ·
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stairheads says:
When we designed our kitchen, the experts said there wasn't room for an island. Well, 20 years and three 6-foot+ sons later, we are still thrilled with our island range and a kitchen where you can reach everything you need with very few steps. Don't pay attention to "minimum" space allowances. As long as the cupboards and the dishwasher opens, its all good!
12 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
Stairheads, I especially love the "three 6'+ sons later" part! Good for you for figuring out a solution - it looks great!
12 months ago ·
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anatgp says:
You can also get a good kitchen island at IKEA (they have two different sizes) for less than $200. Here is the link to the bigger one
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00058487
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00058487
11 months ago ·
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nasafemme says:
I agree with Stairheads. I recently renovated my kitchen which included expanding our existing island. I wanted to keep the workspace "tight" so I can move easily from sink to stovetop to the island prep space. We wanted the other side of the kitchen to have more space for traffic. Our dishwasher opens fully, but there is just enough room to squeeze past it, if you must, when it's completely open. But the only time it's open is when I'm doing dishes, so it works. There is really no need for thru-traffic on that side of the island.
11 months ago ·
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mrabalais says:
For a more reasonable option, I got an island last summer very similar to the Cucina Tavalo Flat Top Work Table. I bought it from Costco for about $150. It looks great and very high end in my kitchen.
11 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
Thanks for the link anatgp! and mrabalais, Costco rocks. That is a very dangerous place for me and my wallet to be!
11 months ago ·
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Melinda Haverland says:
I ordered on line a stainless work table with wheels that are removable from a restaurant supply company just like the Cucina Tavalo Flat Top Work Table for $99 plus free shipping. It was 8 years ago and used every day since !!!
11 months ago ·
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dancingfish says:
I think that these kitchens really couldn't be considered small--most of them seem to have ample space for islands. I do think dimensions should be added so that we can really see how much space we are talking about!
11 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
dancingfish, agreed; the ideabook is really about the open island aesthetic which is good for small kitchens (and the idea came to me while looking for one for a small kitchen), but it's more like "for not totally vast gigantic kitchens" when you look at these images. However, some of these kitchens, while large, had rather odd dimensions, for example, were narrow, which made the open island a good choice because it is easier to find with narrow dimensions or have custom made. They also make the kitchens look larger because they keep things more open visually, but agreed, the title doesn't go with all of the pictures!
11 months ago ·
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housepeepers says:
I have an IKEA butcher block "island" that works great in my small kitchen and the warmth of the wooden top is a plus.
11 months ago ·
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Terri Nicol says:
Don't forget that Catskill makes wonderful sturdy islands with many sizes to choose from. An old sewing table (no drawer type) from garage sale works wonders and place a large cutting board on top. You can store things under it such as a nice basket with a lid and fill it with appliance not used often or recyleables.
11 months ago ·
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smtp says:
on several kitchen renos i opened all the "large" doors, oven-fridge-dishwasher, then taped out the remaining area and set ordinary boxes within the taped area. after working in the kitchen for a few days with this faux island, i was able to build the perfect sized islands in all 3 cases. in two instances the kitchen was the selling point of the home. you can go as big or as small as you like, however at 6' tall i find the biggest is best = less walking, easier reaching of utensils, etc.
7 months ago ·
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