Kitchen Floor Plan With Island Ideas

Island in your kitchen adds to both the functionality and aesthetic appeal. While you are certain that you need an island, how do you plan to incorporate it? The layout of your kitchen depends on the available space and the convenience you want. We all spend a lot of time looking for the perfect design ideas for our kitchen.

The initial research part is important to get the kitchen that you have always dreamed of. Check out this article from Caesarstone, one of the leading producers of Quartz countertop, that highlights some luxury kitchen ideas.

This article brings some innovative layouts that will help you incorporate an island that best suits your kitchen.

1. L-Shape Layout

An L-shaped kitchen allows you to maximize the corner space. And, if you have a small or medium-sized kitchen, this is a design that you can go choose. There will be countertops on both the adjoining walls creating an L shape. You have the flexibility to decide the length of this L.

But keeping them between 12 and 15 feet is the best way to efficiently use the areas. One of the primary benefits of this shape is that it will help in eliminating traffic.  Moreover, you can easily incorporate a dining space along with an island.

2. Horseshoe Kitchens

Horseshoe kitchen design is also known as the U-shape design. This type of layout consists of three walls that include appliances and cabinets. The design was inspired by the L-shape kitchen, and the third wall forms the third wall. Moreover, it is a very practical design that allows the traffic to flow around the kitchen island. You can include cabinetry and appliances for better storage. You can place stools and create a place to eat or add a sink and make an area to prepare food. There is so much that you can do with space.

3. Peninsula

It is basically a kitchen floor plan featuring a connected island. The layout converts an L-shaped design into a horseshoe. You can also create this design by converting a horseshoe design of the kitchen into a G-shaped kitchen design.

What Should You Consider When Installing A Kitchen Island?

Now that you have chosen the kitchen floor plan with the island, it is time to design the island. And here are some prominent factors that you should consider beforehand:

1. Function

You may already be looking for storage solutions, but before that, consider what will be the island’s main function. Generally, kitchen islands have a site dedicated to cooking and another section for eating. Where would you want the focus? Do you want to use it for cooking, prep work, cleaning, or eating?

If you plan to include a sink and appliance, you will need a large space. Additionally, if your goal is to use it for a casual meal, the seating area should be our priority. Whatever you decide to put on the kitchen island will determine the rest of the elements of the kitchen. It will create the overall flow of the space.

2. The Storage Capacity

The kind of storage you should incorporate depends on the kitchen layout. If you have enough cabinetries in the kitchen, you do not have to necessarily include island storage. If the island includes the main prep area, you should focus primarily on the appliances like sinks and faucets.

Additionally, there should be sufficient space for prep tools and cutting boards as well. Generally, two base cabinets back to back will under-island functions. However, ensure that you do not have too big of an island that leaves a lot of space empty in the middle. Keep the width of the kitchen island between two to three inches to get the best fit.

3. The Kitchen Layout

The kitchen is a busy space, so each element of the area should be well-thought-out. The working area of the kitchen island should work well with the kitchen counter. Additionally, the open floor area across the island needs calculation.

There should be around 3-feet of floor space at the ends of the island. Additionally, working sections of the kitchen island need to have at least 42 inches of space. However, you will not need to go beyond 5 feet here. The adjacent section’s eating side space will be determined (the living room or the dining room). 

4. The Appliances

If you plan to integrate the appliance into the kitchen island, then you need to be mindful of the spacing and practicality. In case you plan to add a sink, there should be a dishwasher beneath it. You need to decide whether to put the dishwasher to the left or the right of the sink.

Moreover, if the island will be your main prep area, you need to add trash, compost, and recycling areas near it. And in case you have a large kitchen and the refrigerator is not near the island, you can incorporate a small under-counter refrigerator.

Utilize the space to add a hood or exhaust vent. Before you start planning the kitchen island, note down all the appliances that you want in the kitchen island. While you may not be able to put everything you need on the island, you can at least include the most important ones with the right planning.

5. The Height Of The Counter

If the island includes a seating area, height is an important consideration. In the case of bar stools, you will need a counter that is 36 inches to 42  inches in height. The latter will provide more flexibility, allowing the island to be designed in two sections. The work areas can be lower to do the prep work easily, and the dining area can be alleviated a bit for seating. You can achieve this by creating a 12 inch or more overhand for the seating area.

The Bottom Line

The kitchen island is a functional aspect of the kitchen. The layout of the island determines the overall flow of the kitchen space. Therefore, you should consider creating a floor plan with an island that best accommodates your space. The good thing is, no matter space, there are tons of floor plans and design options.