Small, Slim and Super: Compact Kitchen Islands That Offer Big Function
Movable carts and narrow tables bring flexibility to these space-constrained kitchens
Melisa LaBancz-Bleasdale
August 1, 2016
Award-winning interior designer, Houzz contributing writer, technologist and proud mother of an amazing daughter. A 25-year career in security technology led to frequent travel that further inspired and solidified a deep love of design and things with soul. My goal is to create calm, beautiful and safe environments that allow people to take a break from every day stress and focus on their happiness.
Award-winning interior designer, Houzz contributing writer, technologist and proud... More
Adding an island may seem counterintuitive in a tight kitchen because it will take up more floor space than you think you want to give, but in many cases the positives outweigh the concerns. More storage, more work surface and an added place to sit and grab a bite are just a few of the benefits. The following examples show how multipurpose carts and furniture pieces can give you an island regardless of square footage.
The key to adding a small island or cart is to understand what your needs are and then find a piece that addresses several of them at once. It’s recommended that an island be no less than 40 by 40 inches (1 by 1 meter) for a small kitchen, but if you’re using an elongated table as opposed to a square, you’ll want to go for something no less than 24 inches (61 centimeters) wide to give yourself enough work space.
A galley kitchen such as the one seen here may not seem to need an island, but creating a midpoint prep station makes cooking easier, adds counter space in between the sink and oven and provides a spot for an extra person to help with the meal. (While one person is sauteeing up a storm, the other can be slicing and dicing.)
The general rule of kitchen design is to allow for 3 feet (about 1 meter) of clearance between a fixed island and other surfaces for comfort, safety and ease of use. But in the case of movable islands or kitchen carts, this isn’t critical, as you can adjust the space as needed.
The general rule of kitchen design is to allow for 3 feet (about 1 meter) of clearance between a fixed island and other surfaces for comfort, safety and ease of use. But in the case of movable islands or kitchen carts, this isn’t critical, as you can adjust the space as needed.
Rolling islands or kitchen carts are an excellent choice for home chefs who do a lot of cooking. Kind of like the Swiss Army knife of islands, they may have pullout surfaces, drop-down leaves, drawer handles that double as towel bars, adjustable interior shelves and removable or interchangeable butcher block surfaces.
The great thing about an island on wheels is that you can push it out of the way when necessary. When you need to open the oven door, say.
Even the tiniest spaces can accommodate a rolling cart. While not a traditional island, it functions the same way by adding valuable work surface and storage. This modern apartment has just enough space for a cart that provides a chopping block and two-tiered shelving. When not in use, it can be pushed toward the window and topped with a vase of fresh flowers.
Even the tiniest spaces can accommodate a rolling cart. While not a traditional island, it functions the same way by adding valuable work surface and storage. This modern apartment has just enough space for a cart that provides a chopping block and two-tiered shelving. When not in use, it can be pushed toward the window and topped with a vase of fresh flowers.
The golden rule for kitchen design is the work triangle, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add a little stop in between endpoints. This small island creates a great workstation smack-dab in the middle of all the action. It’s a great place to store platters and pots, cooking utensils, foil, dish towels and oven mitts. It’s also an impromptu tiny buffet where you can put out the evening’s food for a casual help-yourself meal.
It’s true that adding an island means the flow will go from open to kind of U-shaped, but we humans are pretty great at relearning things and can easily adjust to walking around the island in exchange for the functionality it offers.
It’s true that adding an island means the flow will go from open to kind of U-shaped, but we humans are pretty great at relearning things and can easily adjust to walking around the island in exchange for the functionality it offers.
When you think island, you might picture a bank of cabinets topped with granite and dropped into the center of your kitchen. That’s just one way to do it. For a tighter space, less is more and “fixed” may not be best.
Depending on your needs, you might opt for a sturdy table-style island. With a butcher block top and a drawer to hold your cookie cutters, it becomes a fantastic baking station. Covered (or open) baskets can corral your decorating supplies, rollers and cutting boards. Rods or hooks on the side will keep dish towels within easy reach.
In a pinch, the island can be moved and double as serving space, a crafts station or even a place to eat.
Depending on your needs, you might opt for a sturdy table-style island. With a butcher block top and a drawer to hold your cookie cutters, it becomes a fantastic baking station. Covered (or open) baskets can corral your decorating supplies, rollers and cutting boards. Rods or hooks on the side will keep dish towels within easy reach.
In a pinch, the island can be moved and double as serving space, a crafts station or even a place to eat.
When you’re thinking small, vintage is a great way to go. Pieces like sofa tables and consoles are often handmade and of great-quality wood.
This vintage piece adds to the overall ambiance of this modern farm-style kitchen, keeping it friendly while adding a point of interest.
If your main concern is more counter space, a butcher block island is the way to go. You can order a relatively inexpensive island online and have a local craftsman make a quality butcher block top for it in any size, shape or design. You’ll get an affordable custom piece that adds interest to your space.
Tip: If you’re using an uncommon piece of furniture in your kitchen, ensure that you’ve sanded and coated it with a heavy-duty polyurethane or topped it with a butcher block or thin piece of acrylic to protect the surface and make it easy to clean.
This vintage piece adds to the overall ambiance of this modern farm-style kitchen, keeping it friendly while adding a point of interest.
If your main concern is more counter space, a butcher block island is the way to go. You can order a relatively inexpensive island online and have a local craftsman make a quality butcher block top for it in any size, shape or design. You’ll get an affordable custom piece that adds interest to your space.
Tip: If you’re using an uncommon piece of furniture in your kitchen, ensure that you’ve sanded and coated it with a heavy-duty polyurethane or topped it with a butcher block or thin piece of acrylic to protect the surface and make it easy to clean.
If you need an island that mainly offers extra prep space, a steel-legged table on locking casters is a great option because it provides that function while easily doubling as an eating surface. This works particularly well in industrial style kitchens.
Counter-height stools can be moved out of the way during meal preparation and the table can be rolled out of the space when it’s time to mop the floor. Meanwhile, the openness of the frame makes the kitchen appear larger than a solid island would.
Counter-height stools can be moved out of the way during meal preparation and the table can be rolled out of the space when it’s time to mop the floor. Meanwhile, the openness of the frame makes the kitchen appear larger than a solid island would.
Small-scale islands don’t need to be custom-made. There’s a mind-boggling variety of options available for all shapes and sizes of kitchens and for all budgets.
Measure the available floor space and sketch it out on a piece of paper. Play with different sizes of islands in the center of the space to ensure you’ll have enough room to move comfortably around it. Or, as with the portable island pictured here, you may want to tuck it under the counter when it’s not in use.
It’s also important that your island doesn’t block the entry or exit to your kitchen, so consider that when making your choices.
More
How Much Room Do You Need for a Kitchen Island?
How to Design a Kitchen Island
Measure the available floor space and sketch it out on a piece of paper. Play with different sizes of islands in the center of the space to ensure you’ll have enough room to move comfortably around it. Or, as with the portable island pictured here, you may want to tuck it under the counter when it’s not in use.
It’s also important that your island doesn’t block the entry or exit to your kitchen, so consider that when making your choices.
More
How Much Room Do You Need for a Kitchen Island?
How to Design a Kitchen Island
We specialize in custom cabinetry, but we also do interior trim & millwork. The quality of our work, the look of... Read More
What are you working on?
Related Products
We are a small company, LLC located in the city of ohio in search of business contracts, commercial among others... Read More
Related Stories
Kitchen Design
25 Kitchen Islands That Think Outside the Box
For these asymmetrical, rounded, split-level, wedge-like and otherwise unconventional islands, it’s hip not to be cuboid
Full Story
Pendant Lighting
Choose the Right Pendant Lights for Your Kitchen Island
By tidgboutique
Get your island lighting scheme on track with tips on function, style, height and more
Full Story
Kitchen Makeovers
Before and After: 5 Kitchens With Contrasting Wood Islands
Pros, including one found on Houzz, pair wood-finished islands with painted cabinets for a pleasing look
Full Story
New This Week
5 New Kitchens With Clever Island Designs
Consider these unusual shapes, functional features and stylish looks from photos recently uploaded by pros on Houzz
Full Story
Kitchen Design
15 Ways to Kick Your Kitchen Island Up a Notch
Make your kitchen island work harder — and smarter — with these fun and functional features
Full Story
Kitchen Design
10 Kitchen Island Features Pros Always Recommend
Design and remodeling professionals say these are the elements every homeowner should consider when planning an island
Full Story
Houzz TV
5 Kitchen Island Features Worth Considering
In this video and article, get details on clever island designs that add seating, style, countertop surface and more
Full Story
New This Week
9 New Kitchen Island Designs
Get the lowdown on down-low dining spots, raised-up workstations and other island features shared by pros on Houzz
Full Story
Before and Afters
Before and After: 4 White Kitchens With Contrasting Islands
See how a splash of gray, blue or green makes a kitchen island stand out in a sea of white cabinets
Full Story
Most Popular
How Much Room Do You Need for a Kitchen Island?
By lwkkitchens
Installing an island can enhance your kitchen in many ways, and with good planning, even smaller kitchens can benefit
Full Story
You're welcome, Melisa. I also sometimes recommend tighter clearances & a less than perfect work triangle. I just like to be sure clients are aware of the trade offs.
We cannot agree more with having appropriate space around an island, hence a moveable cart, if feasible for your space, is an excellent option. This cart has plenty of storage, blends with the design, and can easily be moved to free up space.
Savvy Cabinetry by Design: What are the dimensions of the smaller island cart?