Small Kitchen Island Ideas for Every Space and Budget

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A kitchen island is a useful and multifunctional component. No matter how small your space is, get inspiration from our kitchen island ideas for small spaces to add more function to your kitchen. Even the smallest kitchen island has the potential to offer many uses. When considering small kitchen island ideas, select an island that has the five following characteristics:

1. Creates extra counter space

2. Can be used as an eating counter or breakfast spot

3. Has additional storage via drawers, shelves, or hooks

4. Is sized correctly to not interrupt your kitchen workflow

5. Has open shelving where knees can tuck or an overhang on at least one side for a low-profile, backless bar stool to tuck in

Once you’ve decided that you’d like to add a kitchen island, how large should your island be? According to the book The Architect’s Studio Companion: Rules of Thumb for Preliminary Design, allow an aisle of 36” wide or 42” wide if the island is facing an appliance door.

Good places for islands include the center of a kitchen or to enclose an open floor plan kitchen in an L shape formation.

If you find that your kitchen doesn’t have the space for a permanent island, choose an island that can be rolled, tucked away, or moved to another area as needed. You don’t have to specifically go out and purchase or custom-make a kitchen island. There are a variety of small kitchen island ideas that may work better in your small space than a permanent cabinet piece. Check out some of our top kitchen island design tips, kitchen island ideas for small spaces, and images of kitchen islands.

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