What You Need to Know About Adding a Kitchen Island to Your Home

A kitchen island is the perfect solution to increase storage, countertop, and seating space. The addition of a kitchen island is also an optimal way to streamline your culinary workflow, making it easier to move between your countertops, appliances, and sink. Beyond functionality, kitchen islands are also a way to enhance the cozy atmosphere of this room, providing a central space to gather with family and friends. We gathered expert tips on figuring out how to incorporate a kitchen island into your kitchen, from choosing materials to accounting for proper clearances.

Choose the Right Material

From natural stone to manmade options, there are many materials suitable for a kitchen island—but the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference. Here are four popular materials for kitchen island countertops.

Marble

Marble is a classic, durable material that comes in a wide range of unique colors and variations. Despite its timelessness, consider marble's disadvantages. "It can be prone to etching," says Mindy O'Connor, the founder and principal of Melinda Kelson O'Connor Architecture & Interiors. "Etching is damage to your natural stone caused by contact with an acidic substance (including but not limited to citrus fruits and juices, vinegar, coffee, soda, wine, tomatoes, and bleach cleaners)."

Soapstone

Soapstone is a non-porous natural stone that is heat resistant and will not crack easily. "It is easy to clean and can be oiled to periodically create a dark gray hue," says O’Connor. "Soapstone can be susceptible to scratches and nicks (the greener the piece is, the softer it is) and is available in limited colors, as it primarily appears in shades of gray with black-and-green undertones."

Engineered Quartz

Engineered quartz is a man-made material composed of natural quartz, resins, polymers, and pigments and comes in countless colors and designs. "Engineered quartz is favored for its ease of maintenance, as it is non-porous, stain-resistant, and easy to clean, with no sealing or oiling necessary," says O’Connor.

Keep in mind that engineered stone often has a repetitive pattern, creating a more manufactured feel. It's also slightly less heat resistant than natural stones, meaning trivets should be used under hot pans and bakeware. 

Wood

Wood is a less common choice for countertops than stone, but it adds welcome warmth to the space. "Wood countertops can be made from strips of wood tightly glued together to form a slab showing the face, edge, or end grain," says O'Connor. "Or they can be salvaged from beams or other historic structural elements and fastened together."

Wood is porous, so it will need to be sealed to prevent water damage. On the other hand, stains or nicks can be sanded away and refinished—meaning this material has longevity on its side. 

Account for Clearances

One of the most important aspects of designing a kitchen island is considering the clearance around it, which helps determine how big or small your island should be.

"The minimum you can make an aisle is 36 inches for a wheelchair, but I like to be a little more generous and go between 42 inches and 54 inches," says Scott Dresner of Dresner Design. Generally, if you are designing a kitchen island for two cooks and you are incorporating appliances that open up, consider 42 inches as a comfortable clearance, he adds.

"On the eating or social side of an island, more space—often 48 inches or more—is desirable for walking past chairs and general circulation around the eating areas," says O’Connor. 

Consider the Work Triangle

Though the work triangle is less important now, since open-concept kitchens have grown in popularity, it's still something to keep in mind—especially for smaller workspaces. "The kitchen triangle describes the triangular relationship between the cooking appliance, refrigerator, and sink," says O'Connor. "The island should consider the relationship between these elements and be sure not to completely block any path for efficiency in cooking."

Choose a Shape

While you may have an artistic vision for the design or your island, it's important to let functionality guide your design when it comes to shape. Consider workflow, air circulation, needs for appliances, functional cabinetry, seating requirements, and clearances when you get to this stage of the design process. "Every kitchen has a different layout, so the shape of your island takes cues from the shape of the space and clearances required," says Dresner.

Add Seating

The island is an ideal place to feed kids, entertain guests, or keep company while you're preparing a meal, O’Connor says—so incorporating seating is key. If you do choose to add bar stools around your kitchen island, keep in mind that a chair for each person typically requires 24 inches of space to ensure comfort while sitting and eating.

Incorporate Storage

A kitchen island is a great place to add extra drawers or cubbies for miscellaneous entertaining items and small appliances. Keep a smaller storage space under the seating area reserved for items you don't use daily and a larger "business" side for appliances. "The business side of the island has more depth and we always prefer to use drawers versus cabinets," says Dresner. For aesthetics, add a few decorative cubbies for a more open feel. There, you can keep pretty linens, cookbooks, and other practical decorative items. 

Install Outlets

Outlets are required by code; you should have at least one for every 9 square feet of countertop, depending on local regulations. "I typically incorporate multiple outlets for plugging in countertop appliances, charging phones, and working at computers, all of which are common island uses," says O'Connor. 

Integrate Appliances

An island stovetop is a great option for you if you like to cook facing out into an open space rather than staring at a wall. "Cooking on the island can mean hot surfaces, ingredients, and splatter, so if the idea of cleaning and controlling those elements bothers you, it's not recommended," says O'Connor.

An island cooktop requires a ventilation hood that will aesthetically interrupt the ceiling plane in the middle of the space. If this sounds like too big of a project, consider adding a sink instead, which allows you to socialize when washing dishes.