Where Should A Sink Be Placed In An Island
When deciding where to place a sink in an island, its important to consider the primary tasks that will be done there and the amount of cabinetry you have. If a sink will primarily be used for tasks like washing and swabbing dishes, it should be close to the dishwasher and the garbage disposal, and ideally should be placed towards the rear of the island, allowing more countertop space near the front of the island for prepping and serving food.
If you are seeking a more aesthetically pleasing look, you may opt to install the sink on the side of the island nearest to the main kitchen workspace, and then add a pull-down spray hose and pot-filler spout so that the sink can still be used for washing and swabbing.
Designing the island with more cabinetry around the sink area provides more countertop space around the sink, making it easier to use and providing a more finished look.
Its also important to check with a plumber before deciding exactly where to place the sink, as the location and size of the cabinet may affect the logistics of running pipes and drainage. Depending on the space available and the intended functionality of the sink, open shelving may be installed instead for decorative and practical purposes, keeping larger items such as mixers and blenders out of the way but still within easy reach.
Opens The Sink To The Room
A counter sink often faces a wall or window but putting the sink in your island opens it up to the rest of the room. So, an island sink is ideal if you prefer to look out on the rest of the room or your family or guests while you clean up.
This is a major perk if your kitchen is at the center of your house and doesnt have windows to gaze out of while washing dishes.
Benefits Of A Kitchen Island
Kitchen Islands have become very popular in newer premium kitchen designs. No matter the style, a kitchen island will elevate any kitchen that has the space for it. A kitchen island has versatile features that benefit both the function and look of your kitchen. Islands offer a place for storage, seating, space for appliances and provide a place for people to gather around. Here we will dive into exactly what the benefits of a kitchen island are.
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How Wide Does Island Have To Be For A Sink
The size of an island necessary for a sink installation ultimately depends on the type, size, and layout of the island. Generally speaking, an island should be at least 36 inches wide to support a standard double basin sink with a 36 inch sink base.
Given the extra slant of a sink and the extra distance from the sides, a minimum of 40 inches of width is preferable to allow for proper installation. A sink should be centered on the island and should have a minimum of 18 inches on either side.
In order to accommodate a larger sink, a minimum of 48 inches of width is ideal. For islands larger than 48 inches in width, more than one sink may be able to be installed. Ultimately, the size of the island should be chosen based on the sink size and the specific layout of the kitchen.
Kitchen Island Designer Rates

Kitchen island designs can improve the overall look of your home. Some people even hire a kitchen designer who helps them achieve their dream designs. However, hiring a kitchen island designer comes at a heavy price of $10,000 or even $20,0000.
Kitchen designers can also charge a bit low based on your budget and experience. The price you can expect in that case is around $4,000.
Another advantage of hiring a designer is that they can help you rethink your kitchen island to make informed decisions. This also gives you a first-hand estimate of the needs of your kitchen island remodel costs. That will then lead to you analyzing what is the best way forward in terms of choosing the right kitchen appliances.
Overall, from hiring a specialized individual to completing your entire kitchen island remodel, you can easily foresee a budget of & 23,000 to $30,000.
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Kitchen Island With Sink
Here is our guide to a kitchen island with sink including positioning, dimensions, cost and popular design ideas.Is there a cook in the world who didnt wish for more counter space? Probably not. Thats one reason kitchen islands are so popular.
A basic kitchen island provides a place to prep your meals before cooking and adds some under-counter storage to the footprint of your kitchen. But why stop at basic?
To go the extra mile in your home renovation, redesign, or construction, consider installing a sink on the kitchen island.
Start With The Seating
Everyone wants a place for the kids to eat breakfast and for friends to sip wine and nibble on appetizers. Island seating can usurp the kitchen table and save valuable floor space. In this way, incorporating seating is one of the first drivers of the design. If regular chairs are to be used, then part of the island will need to drop down to table height: 29 in. to 30 in. Most folks prefer stools, though. There are stools that fit comfortably under a standard 36-in. countertop, and there are taller stools designed for counters elevated 6 in. to 8 in. above the rest of the island. I prefer the 36-in. countertop. It maximizes the utility of the work surface, and the shorter stools are easy to use for young and old alike. There are reasons for an island to have more than one level hiding a messy counter, for example but in most cases, a simple single-level counter is all thats needed.
Ive designed a few kitchens with the main sink and the dishwasher located in the island. I think the scarcity of this setup is because folks dont want dirty dishes, pots, and pans in plain view they dont want raised bar tops to hide the clutter and they prefer upper cabinets nearby when unloading the dishwasher. However, a secondary sink in the island can add another level of convenience to the kitchen.
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A Guide To The 6 Types Of Kitchen Islands
The kitchen island is a feature that brings a multitude of benefits to your kitchen. From additional storage and seating space to extra sinks and more room to prep meals, a kitchen island can be one of the best choices for making your kitchen more livable and easy to navigate.
A kitchen island creates a natural gathering place in your home. Adding a few tall bar stools or chairs makes for a convenient place for the family to have a quick breakfast, snack, or a more casual dinner. The extra space can be used for working from home, completing homework, helping out with meal preparation or drying dishes.
When it comes to kitchen islands, there are tons of great options to choose from depending on your kitchen layout. From the size and style to the type of seating added on, your kitchen island can be uniquely customized to the needs of your household. During our Personalized Design experience, our team of professional designers will visit your home and take a look at which size and styles would work best in your space.
Take a look at our guide to kitchen island styles below to help determine which one may best fit your needs. After getting to know island styles, be sure to read up on what you should know about kitchen islands to learn even more about this kitchen design feature.
How Do You Create Your Dream Kitchen Island
The island can be the heart and central hub of your kitchen, but it needs to be the right size. Think Goldilocks and the Three Bears meets custom kitchen design. Too small and it wont function the way it should too big and it can hinder traffic flow and decrease overall efficiency it needs to be just right. Ultimately, the dimensions of a kitchen island will depend on how its being used.
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Large Kitchen Island Vs Small Kitchen Island
Another thing to consider is the spatial practicality of the kitchen island. By this, I mean you might not want too small an island that serves little to no purpose, nor might you want something so overly large that you cant reach from one side to the other without great effort. While not everyone will follow these guidelines for their own reasons, here are some dimensions for reference:
Large Kitchen Island
- Large kitchen island dimensions: 54-60 deep x 108+ long
- Recommended if you have a large space to fill
- Hard to reach the middle of islands larger than 54 deep
- Consider filling a large space with a double island to reduce costs and increase functionality
Small Kitchen Island
- Small kitchen island dimensions: 30-36 deep x 36-72 long
- Recommended if you have a small space to fill
- Allow for a minimum of a 36 isle between countertops
- Adding a small island to a kitchen increases functionality, but can have the opposite effect if you dont have enough space for it
Typical Kitchen Island
- Typical kitchen island dimensions: 42-48 deep x 72-108 long
- Offers many customization options to fit your kitchen needs
Making An Island Too Big
You may have a nice-sized kitchen now, but if your kitchen island is too large, itll make your kitchen feel cramped. This is one of the most common design mistakes we see: in an effort to maximize countertops and extra storage space, the walkways around the island suffer.
The general rule is that you will need at least 42 to 48 inches of open space around your island. Another life-saving guideline: if your kitchen is less than 13 feet wide, we dont recommend adding an island at all. And, for a U-shaped kitchen, the opening should be at least 10 feet wide to accommodate an island without causing claustrophobia.
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Opens Up Main Countertop Space
Installing a kitchen sink on your island opens up space on your main countertop.
You can use that extra space for preparation and storing small appliances like a toaster and blender.
Keeping small appliances on the main countertops under the upper cabinets makes your kitchen more efficient and creates a tidy appearance. Since you wouldnt store these appliances on the island, you save room in your cabinets and pantry.
Kitchen Island With Stove And Sink

For families with children and a kitchen that faces a play or homework space, this can be a great way to keep an eye on the kids while also getting dinner on the table. You will have to sacrifice some under-counter space to accommodate the oven.
The island will need to be at least nine feet long. Make sure the oven is completely accessible when the door is fully open.
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What Is The Size For Kitchen Island
The size of a kitchen island will depend on the available space you have in your kitchen. Generally, 34 to 36 high is an ideal height that works best with most countertop heights and seating options.
Kitchen Islands should be 4 to 5 feet in width and around 7 to 8 feet in length, depending on the size of your space. An oversized kitchen island can be up to 9 feet long and 5 feet wide, while a mini-island can be as small as 4 feet by 2 feet.
The size of the kitchen island can also be determined by the number of people you plan on having seated at it. If seating is not part of your plan, you have the flexibility to create an island that is as large or small as youd like.
How Long Should An Island Be For 4 Stools
The length of the island will depend on the size of the stools and the amount of space you need between them. Generally, it is recommended that the minimum space between seating areas should be at least 24-30 inches.
This would mean that an island should ideally be at least 10-12 feet long in order to fit four stools with adequate spacing. However, if you need more space than that, you may want to look at a longer island or consider adding an additional section of countertop.
Additionally, the width of the island should be taken into consideration, as the stools will need enough space to move in and out without bumping into each other or the counter.
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Kitchen Island With Open Shelving Ana White
the kitchen of yours island doesnt necessarily need expensive cabinets so long as it performs the job for you and your kitchen. kitchen islands mostly come with tops which are multifunctional and also may be used for slicing, butchering, kneading plus cooking. A kitchen island normally makes a kitchen spacious and very easy to use due to its scope for various functionalities.
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Electronic Outlets And Costs
Setting up your electric outlets and the layout for your kitchen remodel can be tricky. Professionals especially discourage you from doing this if you do not know how your houses electricals work.
We recommend choosing a remodeling contractor to help you understand your kitchen island electrical outlets. On average, your electrician will charge you about $50 to $100 per hour.
On the other hand, if you are installing or replacing your entire replacing GFCI outlet runs, you can easily mark up your budget by $200. Generally, subcontractors usually specialize in a particular area of construction.
If you are thinking of adding additional plumbing or reworking your electricals, you need a person who is also specialized in installing these appliances.
Besides, it is important to work on all your electrical outlets. Besides, electrical outlets highlight the convenience factor in your kitchen island while making it aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, strategically position them and match them to the cabinetry to make the outlets inconspicuous.
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Standard Kitchen Island Dimensions
Kitchen islands are more popular than ever with the rise of open concept homes, and their dimensions vary from home to home. The minimum standard kitchen island dimensions are 24 with 36-42 of clearance on each side, but dimensions vary based on style and materials. Between length, width, height, and features lets take a look at the standard kitchen island dimensions.
Having an island is likely one of the most desirable features in a new kitchen. Unfortunately, installing an island isnt always possible and putting one in for the sake of it can actually make your kitchen much less functional. Though they are lovely and practical, kitchen islands simply dont fit into every space.
Before you decide that this feature is right for your kitchen, you must consider a number of standard kitchen island dimensions. For an island to work in your kitchen, you must not only consider the size of the island but also the space around it. Specifically, your built-in kitchen island must have a minimum size of four feet by two feet, with roughly 36 to 42 inches of clearance on all sides.
When it comes to kitchen island dimensions, there are some solid guidelines you must follow. Continue reading for help planning out your kitchen island.
Statement Piece In More Ways Than One
Design: Emily Henderson/Photographer: Sara Ligorria Tramp
This kitchen designed by Emily Henderson boasts warm wood and white piecesexcept for the island, that is. The black and white island creates a stark contrast to the rest of the room, making it a strong focal point. Add a few chairs and the luxurious fold faucet, and no one is taking their eyes off of it.
This island boasts some interesting featuresmost notable is the interesting mix of open and closed storage it entails. The open corners are a perfect place to display cookbooks and small decor, while the closed cabinets can keep bulkier items out of the way. The added sink gives the space additional purpose beyond a storage unit.
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Design: Emily Henderson/Photographer: Tessa Neustadt
While stools are perfectly acceptable options for an island, you have to admire the boldness of these two cushioned swivel chairs paired with this white and blue island. The island does find its place cozied up against a wall, yet there is still plenty of space to wine and dine.
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Having a space that does it all can feel like an impossible task. However, the island in this kitchen by Brophy Interiors certainly has its work cut out for it. The overhang creates plenty of room for multiple people to dine, and the kitchen sink located on the other end is in the ideal spot for cleanup afterward.
Continue to 13 of 15 below.
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Learn How To Design A Workhorse Of An Island That Offers Comfortable Seating For Family And Friends
Whether they are planning a kitchen for a new home or remodeling their existing kitchen, most of my clients ask for an island as soon as we start to talk about their project. And most of them describe a workhorse that is handy, functional, durable, and beautiful. They want an island that can support food prep, cooking, cleanup, casual meals, and socializing, as well as doing homework and making crafts. In my experience, however, the first item on a clients island wish list is seating. Here are some tips for designing a multipurpose kitchen island that offers comfortable seating for family and friends.