Does this space need a kitchen island?

Leann Stuart
by Leann Stuart
We've been remodeling our kitchen...we have taken the old galley kitchen and removed some of the wall and added a pantry...now we have this open area that I think could use a kitchen island...what are your thoughts? Move the dining table over or put in a kitchen island? If we do add an island should it have seating? How big?
View from kitchen looking to the front door
Looking into the kitchen from the front door
Looking into the kitchen from the dining area
  11 answers
  • SusieJen SusieJen on May 06, 2015
    It's usually best to keep a minimum 4 feet space between any side of the island.
    • B. Enne B. Enne on May 06, 2015
      @SusieJen is right. I was told 3 ft and it is too tight. IMHO, the best way to tell is to tape out the size you want or even better use a table, trunk, chest (or 2) or whatever you have laying around. Try walking around and living with it (them)for a couple of weeks. We saved a lot of time and money doing that. We had a kitchen designer come in and her breakfast bar formula didn't work at all for us.
  • can u post a pic of the part we can't see? take the pic while standing over by the fridge. Doesn't look like you have room for an island and the dining table. You can do an island/table combo but not both. Or you can do a very small mobile island but I don't see where you could move it out of the way when not in use.
  • I believe code requires 36" between spaces. But if you are never moving, then you can do what you wish. Have you thought about a thinner island? Don't know if these links will work...if not, just go Houzz, kitchens and search small wood islands. [houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/2472220/Ramble-House-traditional-kitchen-other-metro] [houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/46400/Tiburon-home-remodel-traditional-kitchen-san-francisco]
  • Gwen Gwen on May 06, 2015
    a small island, maybe an old desk or dresser made over
  • Martha Hinkle Martha Hinkle on May 07, 2015
    Maybe a small one on casters that can be moved. We recently rebuilt our house after a tornado and I was torn between Island yes-or-no. I chose no. If my kitchen was about 2 ft. wider I might have built one, but I didn't relish the thought of having to walk around an obstacle to get from the stove to the sink.
  • Jean Thompson Jean Thompson on May 07, 2015
    I like @Martha Hinkle idea of one on casters -even one about 30 inches wide and the length of your pantry area would give you storage and a Work area/serving area on top... this could be made with Cupboards or Shelves or Drawers with a Tile Counter top on it... go for it..then you could use it for hot stuff .... ( use cardboard boxes to make a fake one to try out to see the size and what you could store in it.. I just saw they have a DIY Kitchen Island Board on here...check it out...
  • J J on May 07, 2015
    If you're really looking for a new look and it suits your life(style), ditch the table and put in an island. I did that in my last house (years before their popularity - with seating) and situated the island on the diagonal which really gave me a nice walk flow since there were three doorways: one to utility room/garage door, dining room and center hall. Instant update to bland '80s kitchen.
  • Linda Linda on May 07, 2015
    No not enough space
  • Glenda Robinson Glenda Robinson on May 07, 2015
    I have a rolling island and love it. We roll into the breakfast room when we need the space!
  • Ryan Ryan on May 07, 2015
    Move the table over and enjoy the room!
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on May 09, 2015
    The open pantry area would bother me. I'd modify with built in upper and lower cabs with countertop to conceal all the clutter. Personally, I do not like sitting on stools to eat so would not go with an island for this reason. - just me.