Key Measurements to Consider When Designing Your Kitchen Island
Gather your friends and family to cook, eat and chat around a perfectly proportioned kitchen island
Anne Ellard
3 September 2019
Houzz Australia Contributor. Kitchen designer at Kitchens by Kathie in Brisbane, Australia. I strongly believe that above all else, the most important thing when designing a kitchen is creating something that the client loves!
Houzz Australia Contributor. Kitchen designer at Kitchens by Kathie in Brisbane,... More
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and the kitchen island is the heart of the kitchen – a central hub where people gather to prepare food, to eat and chat. Therefore, it’s important that it is as functional and practical as it is beautiful. This comprehensive list of key measurements to consider when designing your island will ensure it will fit your space and suit your needs perfectly.
Every architect will tell you that an island should be in proportion to the space around it, at a suitable working height for you, and is something that your family and guests can easily move around.
Find a local architect on Houzz to customise measurements to your kitchen
Find a local architect on Houzz to customise measurements to your kitchen
Space around the island
To avoid traffic jams and poor flow it is very important to plan for adequate room around your island, and this space should be the first thing you consider when planning your kitchen island.
Plan for at least 900 millimetres of space between the island and fixed items – other worktops in the kitchen, walls or pieces of furniture. This will allow enough room for people to move around the island without having to turn sideways.
Browse more kitchen ideas
To avoid traffic jams and poor flow it is very important to plan for adequate room around your island, and this space should be the first thing you consider when planning your kitchen island.
Plan for at least 900 millimetres of space between the island and fixed items – other worktops in the kitchen, walls or pieces of furniture. This will allow enough room for people to move around the island without having to turn sideways.
Browse more kitchen ideas
Where people usually stand to work at the island or in other parts of the kitchen facing the island – think of the stovetop and sink, and also where appliances, such as the dishwasher and fridge, open into the space – you will need to plan for even more space where possible.
The ideal space between the working areas of the island and other work surfaces is 1,000 to 1,200 millimetres, although 900 millimetres will suffice in a one-cook kitchen.
The ideal space between the working areas of the island and other work surfaces is 1,000 to 1,200 millimetres, although 900 millimetres will suffice in a one-cook kitchen.
Space behind diners
If your island is positioned so that the seating side of your island has a wall, another worktop or other pieces of furniture behind it, you should keep the following measurements in mind to ensure diners have adequate room to push back their chair or stool to stand up. Depending on your layout, you may also need adequate room for someone to walk behind a seated person.
3 Apartment Kitchens with an Island, 3 Functional Styles
If your island is positioned so that the seating side of your island has a wall, another worktop or other pieces of furniture behind it, you should keep the following measurements in mind to ensure diners have adequate room to push back their chair or stool to stand up. Depending on your layout, you may also need adequate room for someone to walk behind a seated person.
3 Apartment Kitchens with an Island, 3 Functional Styles
The minimum chair/stool pull-out distance behind a seating area to a wall or other objects is 600 millimetres – this is if the area behind will not be used as a walkway. A minimum of 900 millimetres of space will allow another person to edge behind a seated diner, and a minimum of 1,100 millimetres will provide comfortable walking space behind a seated diner.
Height of the island
The most common height for worktops in the kitchen is about 900 millimetres from the finished floor level, however, work surface heights of up to 950 millimetres, and even higher, are also popular. Low work surfaces are a common cause of back pain, so try to aim for a height of about 920 millimetres, or whatever height is most comfortable for your family – 900 to 950 millimetres is a comfortable height when using bar stools.
If the occupants of your home vary a lot in height then design an island (that is a single level) to suit the standing height of the main cook.
The most common height for worktops in the kitchen is about 900 millimetres from the finished floor level, however, work surface heights of up to 950 millimetres, and even higher, are also popular. Low work surfaces are a common cause of back pain, so try to aim for a height of about 920 millimetres, or whatever height is most comfortable for your family – 900 to 950 millimetres is a comfortable height when using bar stools.
If the occupants of your home vary a lot in height then design an island (that is a single level) to suit the standing height of the main cook.
The height of your island can also be designed in two levels, with the working area set at a comfortable height for standing food-preparation work and the dining area lower or higher to accommodate chairs or bar stools, depending on your preference.
If you would like to incorporate table-height dining into your island, make the table 750 millimetres high. Regular dining chairs will then be suitable for use.
Don’t forget to take the thickness of your work surface into account when specifying the height of your kitchen island. Materials vary from stainless steel, which is only a few millimetres thick, to average-thickness laminate at around 33 millimetres, all the way up to 40-millimetre-thick granite tops.
If you would like to incorporate table-height dining into your island, make the table 750 millimetres high. Regular dining chairs will then be suitable for use.
Don’t forget to take the thickness of your work surface into account when specifying the height of your kitchen island. Materials vary from stainless steel, which is only a few millimetres thick, to average-thickness laminate at around 33 millimetres, all the way up to 40-millimetre-thick granite tops.
If you have chosen varying worktop materials in different areas of your kitchen, keep in mind that the difference in thickness between the materials should be kept to a maximum of three millimetres. Try to keep surface levels within two millimetres of each other, unless you are drastically changing heights, for example, with the addition of a dining-table-height bench.
About 1,100 millimetres is the optimal height for a raised dining area at your island, as shown here. Raising the seating area at the island can also be a clever way to hide the main work area of the island from the rest of the room. Bar stools are suitable for use at an island of this height.
Marrying Comfort and Design: A Buyer’s Guide to Kitchen Stools
About 1,100 millimetres is the optimal height for a raised dining area at your island, as shown here. Raising the seating area at the island can also be a clever way to hide the main work area of the island from the rest of the room. Bar stools are suitable for use at an island of this height.
Marrying Comfort and Design: A Buyer’s Guide to Kitchen Stools
Depth of the island
Standard depths for kitchen islands range from 600 millimetres to 1,200 millimetres. The depth you need will depend on whether your island will be used from both sides – as a dining area as well as a food-preparation area – and if appliances such as stovetops and dishwashers are being housed in the island. There is also generally an overhang of 20 millimetres between the edge of your worktop and the front of any base cabinets in the island.
Standard depths for kitchen islands range from 600 millimetres to 1,200 millimetres. The depth you need will depend on whether your island will be used from both sides – as a dining area as well as a food-preparation area – and if appliances such as stovetops and dishwashers are being housed in the island. There is also generally an overhang of 20 millimetres between the edge of your worktop and the front of any base cabinets in the island.
Space between diners
It’s important that any diners at your island are comfortable – you don’t want them squashed beside each other with no elbow room.
Allow for at least 600 millimetres width per person when seated at an island. This will ensure each diner has sufficient room to eat their meal free from others’ elbows on their plates.
It’s important that any diners at your island are comfortable – you don’t want them squashed beside each other with no elbow room.
Allow for at least 600 millimetres width per person when seated at an island. This will ensure each diner has sufficient room to eat their meal free from others’ elbows on their plates.
Leg room
An island can be a great place to gather for breakfast or even dinner. The depth of leg room required under the worktop overhang for diners to sit comfortably at your island will depend on the height of the island itself. If your island is 750 millimetres high (regular table height), aim for 450 millimetres of leg room underneath.
You will need to consult your kitchen designer or supplier to determine how big of an unsupported overhang you can have based on your chosen material – concrete, for example, will require extra support underneath if there is a significant overhang.
An island can be a great place to gather for breakfast or even dinner. The depth of leg room required under the worktop overhang for diners to sit comfortably at your island will depend on the height of the island itself. If your island is 750 millimetres high (regular table height), aim for 450 millimetres of leg room underneath.
You will need to consult your kitchen designer or supplier to determine how big of an unsupported overhang you can have based on your chosen material – concrete, for example, will require extra support underneath if there is a significant overhang.
If your island worktop is all the same level at the typical 900 millimetres high, aim for 300 to 400 millimetres of leg room where seating is placed. If you have an 1,100-millimetre-high counter, you can also aim for 300 millimetres of leg room, but if your bar stools have heel rests then 200 millimetres of leg room should suffice.
These measurements let your legs fit comfortably beneath the worktop when seated and also mean your stools can be stored under the worktop when not in use.
These measurements let your legs fit comfortably beneath the worktop when seated and also mean your stools can be stored under the worktop when not in use.
Space around island fittings
If you are planning to have your sink or stovetop located in your island, ensure they are positioned a minimum of 300 millimetres from the edge. Aim for 600 millimetres of landing space to one side and 450 millimetres to the other, where possible.
If you are planning to have your sink or stovetop located in your island, ensure they are positioned a minimum of 300 millimetres from the edge. Aim for 600 millimetres of landing space to one side and 450 millimetres to the other, where possible.
Room for a movable island
If you have a small kitchen, or a narrow galley kitchen that’s just too small to fit a permanent fixed island, consider having a small island unit on wheels.
A movable island will give you the opportunity to have the extra work space and storage you crave, without cramping the kitchen. Design the movable island so it can easily be wheeled into the main workspace when you need it, and can sit against a vacant wall when not in use.
Movable or Fixed Kitchen Island: Which One For You?
If you have a small kitchen, or a narrow galley kitchen that’s just too small to fit a permanent fixed island, consider having a small island unit on wheels.
A movable island will give you the opportunity to have the extra work space and storage you crave, without cramping the kitchen. Design the movable island so it can easily be wheeled into the main workspace when you need it, and can sit against a vacant wall when not in use.
Movable or Fixed Kitchen Island: Which One For You?
Tell us
Do you have an island in your kitchen that you and your family love to gather around? We would love for you to share your photos with us in the comments section.
Do you have an island in your kitchen that you and your family love to gather around? We would love for you to share your photos with us in the comments section.
Related Stories
Kitchens
The Key Measurements You Need to Know to Design Your Kitchen
Understanding spatial relationships, building dimensions and work zones will help you get the ideal kitchen setup
Full Story
Kitchens
The Most Common Kitchen Design Problems – and How to Tackle Them
By lwkkitchens
Check out these common problems, expert tips on avoiding them and some inspiring spaces that have got things right
Full Story
Kitchens
How Do I... Select a Kitchen Countertop?
By Niki Bruce
Get to know the different types of countertop materials and how to use them
Full Story
Kitchens
How Long and How High Should Your Backsplash be?
By tidgboutique
Not many give it a thought but it's worth a closer look to give your kitchen that finished look
Full Story
Kitchens
10 Tips to That Ergonomic Kitchen That's a Dream to Cook In
The modern kitchen needs up-to-date design pointers for the right measurements, placement and more
Full Story
Kitchens
How to Store Kitchen Tools and Cutlery
By tidgboutique
Find out the ideal width and depth of drawers, get ideas for vertical storage and see how to work with existing cabinets
Full Story
Kitchens
Where to Splurge and Where to Save in Your Kitchen Reno
Who doesn't want to stay on budget when renovating, and still have a an amazing kitchen?
Full Story
Kitchens
How to Get Your Pullout Waste and Recycling Cabinet Just Right
By tidgboutique
Personalise your kitchen waste storage with the right bin configuration and pullout system
Full Story
Kitchens
5 Sustainable Kitchen Countertop Materials to Consider
These materials are manufactured with sustainability and health in mind
Full Story
Hi Gilbert,
I have a bench that is 900mm high and wide with a further raised timber section for bar stool seating so overall width is now 1400mm, so I can't reach across it easily. I decided to raise the timber so it didn't look too wide and boring, it adds characher but it is not designed to be a work area, just seating and eating.
I don't have a cooktop nor a sink as I had a friend with a sink in her island and it always looked messy to me with water splashed and dishes in the sink, so that sealed the deal for me and I opted to have my cooktop against a wall so it was easy to fit the rangehood this way too. I do have some pics in this thread.
I think island benches now are a "fashion" statement and look amazing without anything, especially a rangehood perched above it for me looses some appeal. I do all my prep work on it and can make multiple dishes because of the available area. I have a few plants and a cutting board at one end and that's it but trust me, your island will stand out because of its size.
I would be concerrned if you raise the bench to 920mm, it might not be so user friendly as 900mm is really considered the "perfect" height for most average height people.
If like me you are not that tall, 900mm is a little too high for me but I live with it. It also depends on whether this will be your "forever" home because trying to sell a home with unusually high benchtops, even 20mm could be difficult?
Perhaps speak to your kitchen guy or company, they do so many annually they would know if it is an acceptable idea?
Good luck.
Cheers, Barbara
I feel it is really a matter of personal preference to hve or not to hve an island. The size too will depend on the space available, the activities that will take place on the island, the person/persons working on it. Still the artcle is packed with great advice n handy suggestion. A very informative n helpful article.
Hi Nisha, im glad you enjoyed the article.
I completely agree. An island isn't possible, or practical, in every space. The design of any kitchen should focus on achieving the best layout to suit its space, the home it's in and the needs of the occupants.
Thanks for reading 🙂