How Much Space Do You Need for a Kitchen Island?
You’ve fallen for the idea of a kitchen island. The extra worktop. The breakfast bar. The natural gathering point for family and guests.
Then the measuring starts — and suddenly it’s not so straightforward.
Here’s what most planning guides miss – the question isn’t just “will an island fit?”
It’s “Will it actually work?”
Those are two very different things. Getting them confused is how you end up with a kitchen that looks great on paper and frustrates you every single day.
Island Size Guide

Small (900 x 600mm): Works as a prep station or a breakfast bar — not both. If space is tight, a peninsula (attached to a wall) is often the smarter move.
Medium (1,200–1,800mm x 700–900mm): The most versatile range. Seats two or three, with room to prep on the other side. Where most of our clients land.
Large (2,000mm+ x 900–1,100mm): Seating for four, integrated appliances, statement storage. Transformative in the right kitchen — but it needs serious space to breathe.
The Planning Mistake That Costs the Most

The most common error in kitchens that haven’t been professionally designed: the island was sized to fit the room, not to work in the room.
A 1,200mm wide island can technically sit in a kitchen with 900mm on either side.
But if a door swings into that gap, or the fridge sits at the end and the door opens into the walkway, that kitchen will grind you down every morning.
Space planning is about how a kitchen behaves, not just how it measures.
See What’s Possible in Your Space

At A&S Home Design, we start every island project with the room — how it’s used, who uses it, and how traffic moves through it.
If you’re weighing up whether an island works for you, come and talk to us.
👉 Come and see what’s possible in person
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