Squeeze In A Slimline Island
You dont need a vast kitchen to fit in an island, as this skinny design proves. It even doubles as a breakfast bar, courtesy of a simple overhanging work surface.
Tongue and groove panelling integrates the piece with the rest of the Shaker-style scheme, while the light and bright colour scheme helps to make the room feel spacious.
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Can We Put A Sink In The Middle Of Our Kitchen Island
Yes, as long as the plumber is competent enough to properly vent it via an island sink vent according to the UPC code:
The only thing missing from this illustration is a cleanout on the vertical foot vent that should be in the wall. The vent tee also needs to be a combination wye & 1/8 bend or a combo, preferably a 2×11/2×11/2 combo.
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Counter Height Seating Explained
First, you need to define the main users of the seating space around the kitchen island. Are there going to be kids and elderly sitting there, or is it mainly for adults and friends? It also depends on what you want your guests to be seeing when you are hosting them.
Kitchen islands are about interacting with guests and family members. So if youre going to be the main player in your kitchen, what type of workspace and height fits youthe most?
When you define the standard kitchen island height, the seating type follows spontaneously. Either you have a kitchen island counter height of 36 inches. Or it could be at a higher level with a 42 inches bar-like seating space with high stools. The seating area should have an overhang for the stool to be tucked underneath. 12 to 14 inches of the overhang are enough. The countertops thickness and materials slightly affect these dimensions.
The space per seat should be around 28 inches for adults. But 20 inches for kids is enough. This will allow guests and family members to sit and dine comfortably.
Keep in mind that seating at kitchen islands is for informal meals. The higher the level is, the less comfortable the seating experience becomes.
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Choose Compact For A Small Kitchen Layout
Even the tiniest of kitchen spaces can welcome an island, so your small kitchen ideas needn’t be compromised. Ensure the design is compact enough to fit but sizeable enough to fulfil its purpose.
Just ensure you have enough area to accommodate space between any hot kitchen apparatus and guests enjoying the breakfast bar.
Kitchen Seating Clearance Recommendations

Kitchen seating clearance is flexible and can be adapted to your needs. Expected seating is at a location such as a breakfast bar or an in-kitchen eating table it does not apply to dedicated dining rooms.
- 44 inches minimum for traffic to move freely forward behind the seating area
- 36 inches minimum for traffic to edge by sideways behind the seating area
- 32 inches minimum for no expected traffic
The Spruce / Caitlin Rogers
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How Deep Should A Kitchen Island Be With A Sink
The standard height for all residential sinks is 36inches from the flood rim of the sink to the floor. The depth of the sink has no bearing on how high the flood rim is.
If the sink is deeper than 10 inches, you may want to have the plumber lower the Santee and clean out the drain riser a few inches to allow clearance for the p-trap and garbage disposal. This gets overlooked a lot during remodels.
Reminder: Dont Forget The Electricity
The Ontario building code now requires a PLUG CABLE on all islands. Islands are often used for prep work because they offer convenient counter space. Some prep tools require electricity, though, so avoid one of the most common mistakes and build outlets into the kitchen island. .
If your new layout features a two-tier island with a higher bar where your family can sit, that extra riser between the lower prep level and the bar is a handy place for the outlet. Of course, islands that incorporate stoves, dishwashers, and microwaves will need proper electricity and plumbing too.
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Bottom Line: Is A Kitchen Island Sink A Good Idea
Kitchen island sinks have plenty of pros and cons. But is it the best place to put your sink?
Before I share my opinion, lets quickly recap.
Pros of a Kitchen Island Sink:
- Frees up the main countertop space
- You can face the room when you wash dishes
- The sink is accessible from multiple directions
- Lighting is improved
- Less crowding in your kitchen alleys
- Islands can accommodate larger sinks
Cons of a Kitchen Island Sink:
- Reduces your entertainment space
- Creates clutter dirty dishes, soap, and sponges are more visible
- Water can splatter where people are reading or doing work
- It affects dishwasher placement
- Routing plumbing to the middle of the kitchen can be expensive
In my opinion, an island without a sink, cooktop, or any other appliance is preferable. The large uninterrupted surface allows you, your family, and guests to spread out and enjoy the space without having to navigate around dirty dishes, wet cleaning supplies, or other clutter.
However, if the island is the most efficient place based on the location of your dishwasher or space limitations, a kitchen island sink is not a bad idea.
And, if you have to choose between an island sink or an island cooktop due to space limitations, the sink is a safer and better idea.
Find out how much a kitchen island sink will cost by comparing sink prices on and HomeDepot.com and get free no-obligation quotes on installation costs from local contractors on HomeAdvisor.com.
Take A Stand With An Imaginative Design
Tulip-style dining tables are a popular choice for retro interior design choices. To make your kitchen island fashionably unique and imaginative why not base your kitchen island design on the same style principles.
Only instead of the Tulip base supporting a round table top, it will instead form the foundation for a quirky kitchen island.
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Stunning Kitchen Islands That Boast A Built
Lindsey Lanquist is a design expert for MyDomaine, covering the latest home trends and design tips. She has over 6 years of digital media experience. In addition to serving as former senior editor at StyleCaster and staff writer at Self, her work has appeared in Cosmopolitan, Byrdie, Verywell, SheKnows, Nylon, and more.
There are lots of ways to transform your kitchen island: you can paint it a new color, you can switch out your countertops, or, you can upgrade your entire kitchen by outfitting your island with a sink.
This last option doesnt get much action, and we understand why. Building a sink into your island isnt all that quick or easyand it definitely isnt cheap. But, it can change the way your kitchen looks and feels, making it a more functional place to cook, clean, and entertain.
The beautiful thing about this upgrade? It works in kitchens of all sizes, shapes, and styles. As long as theres enough room in your kitchen for an islandand enough room on your island for a sinkyou have everything you need to make the addition work.
As you consider how to craft the perfect sink-adorned kitchen island, youll have plenty of kitchen island sink ideas to take cues from.
Who said your island has to match the rest of your kitchen? Paint your island cabinets a , or invest in a waterfall countertop made of a striking material.
Kitchen Space Distance Recommendations
Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years.
Chuck Schmidt / E+ / Getty Images
When designing your kitchen remodel, it might be tempting to be totally free about spacing and placement. Yet limits do apply. Limits stem less from mandatory building code than from voluntary space design recommendations, many derived from the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Kitchen Planning Guidelines.
These limits and spatial recommendations apply to key areas such as the distance between work areas aisle distance between work areas walkway aisles seating clearances dishwasher spacing and placement and kitchen countertop landing areas.
Space | |
Distance between island and counter | Minimum 42 inches usually or 48 inches for kitchens with +1 cooks |
Walkway space | Minimum 42 inches near a work area or 36 inches elsewhere |
Dishwasher to sink | |
32 to 44 inches, depending on exactly location and amount of expected foot traffic nearby |
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Make The Most Of Space With Oversized Drawers
Allow just enough room for a breakfast bar at one end, to tuck bar stools under utilising the rest of the island as valuable kitchen storage.
Choose oversized pull out drawers to store all your kitchen pans and crockery to keep everything central and within reach for any kitchen task. ask your kitchen design for ideas about in drawer separators and racks to make the storage work even harder.
Bang Away At A Butchers Block Countertop

Butcher blocks have been used by butchers for centuries. Its a robust piece of wood, made for heavy-duty chopping. Theyre also made to last, so theyll endure most hardships that a home chef might put them through. Make sure to keep the block well-oiled, and it will serve as a loyal friend in your kitchen.
Now that you know how it works, its just a matter of choosing between a butchers block cart or a traditional kitchen island. They both have all the advantages weve already mentioned above, plus the durable surface. So, if youre looking to impress with your prepping and chopping skills, youre all set.
Once you have your workspace in order, make sure to also get all the kitchen utensils you need.
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Choosing The Wrong Flooring
Any kitchen remodels likely include new or refinished flooring. When selecting coordinating colours and textures for your new room, be sure to visit lots of kitchen design galleries for inspiration.
But dont stop there! During the planning stages, take special care to address kitchen islands. You cant secure an islands cabinetry to wall studs, so you may need to arrange for some preparation of the floor or subfloor. Also, different flooring materials require special installation considerations.
Make Sure Your Island Is Well Lit
As far as kitchen lighting ideas go, the island is one of the most important focal points some would say the star of the show. While you want the entire kitchen to be lit for your needs its imperative to make sure the island fits perfectly within the lighting plan.
As it often serves as the main food prep station and the hub of entertaining it needs to be well-lit, most likely by multiple lighting options. Whether thats overhead spotlights or lanterns, which you can dim for intimacy or brighten for practical task lighting, ensure the main focus for good lighting is the centre of the island.
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Types Of Kitchen Island Layouts
When choosing your islandkitchen layout is important to consider. If you have a large space, you can have any shaped island youd like. Curved, L-shaped, U-shaped, straight line, large square, or a T-shaped kitchen island. Or create a unique triangle kitchen island, a two-tier kitchen island, or even double kitchen islands.
But if you have a narrow kitchen or an L-shaped kitchen with an island, your options will be more limited because your kitchen island size will have to be smaller to accommodate your small space.
Some kitchens are designed to be so narrow, a kitchen island wont fit at all. So as you design your dream kitchen, be sure to include enough room for your kitchen island plans. One option for smaller kitchens is to choose an extendable kitchen island that has leaves that can be folded away when not in use or propped up to become extra counter space when needed.
Something that is becoming increasingly popular is a kitchen with two islands. This is especially helpful if you have multiple people cooking together. You can have one person doing prep work at the prep island with the rinsing sink station. And the other person can be at the island with the cooktop.
Custom kitchen islands allow you to create any shape youd like, any style youd like, and personalized shelves, display cabinets, pet feeding stations, and work stations.
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.
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Visual Impact And Lighting
A kitchen island can have a massive impact on the visuals of your space. But its more than just a beautiful centerpiece with a penchant for storage. It can also add unique flair and personality to your kitchen, and even serve as a space creator over which hard-working or decorative lighting can be installedagain increasing functionality and looking good doing it.
PROJECT DETAILSCabinet Paint: Olympic Mountain 971 by Benjamin MooreIsland Finish: Plain Sawn White Oak w dark stain and smoky tintFloors: Plain Sawn White Oak with dark, custom stainCounter Tops: QuartziteShelving: Brass Supports with Antique Silver Plating and Island Matched, Oak ShelvingHardware: Hammered Polished Nickel finishCabinet Design: Christopher Scott Cabinetry & Design
Dishwasher Spacing And Placement Recommendations
Dishwashers and sinks can easily get crowded since they need to be close in proximity to take advantage of their shared drainage and water supply.
- Dishwasher to sink distance: From the dishwasher to the sink, the distance should be no more than 36 inches. The intent is two-fold: first, to make sure that the cook can easily move dishes from the sink to the dishwasher secondly, to ease under-counter hookups between sink and dishwasher.
- Dishwasher to base cabinets distance: From the dishwasher to the nearest base cabinets or other obstructions should be 21 inches minimum. Providing distance minimums gives the dishwasher door plenty of room to open.
The Spruce / Caitlin Rogers
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Build One Into Your Island Design
When planning your kitchen island sink, avoid materials that can scratch or stain easily, says Allison Lynch, senior design consultant at Roundhouse , which has made domestic kitchens for several chefs including Yotam Ottolenghi and Peter Gordon.
Wed recommend man-made composite stone, like quartz or sintered stone, or stainless steel surfaces that are industrial in style and very hygienic as well as easy to use. This eliminates the stress of staining, and hot pans can go directly on them, too.
If having a sink built into the design, ensure the design is deep and wide enough to accommodate your pots and pans. This would be an expensive kitchen island mistake to make otherwise.
Cost Of Kitchen Island With Sink

A sink can be purchased relatively cheaply basic models mulai around $200 and the average cost for a sink is $400 which, when you consider the amount of use it gets, is quite reasonable.That being said, a sink must be connected to water, and for that, youll need a plumber.
Plumbers sometimes charge by the hour, with national costs averaging $45-65 saban hour of work. To install a sink, they often offer a set price, around $200, that would include the labor and any additional parts needed for the installation.
But wait where is that water coming from? Chances are, your kitchen island doesnn butt up against a wall, so youll need to run a new pipe under the floor.
Expect to pay a professional around $500 for the installation of these new pipes and the sink. Of course, the cost is dependent on the orientation and condition of your current plumbing.
Running a new pipe may require partial removal of your flooring and subflooring, so make sure to calculate the cost of replacement or repair in the overall cost of installing a sink in your kitchen island.
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Kitchen Islands With Sinks And Dishwashers
1. Shaker kitchen island Barclay Butera2. Light brown kitchen island Rita Chan Interiors3. Brushed oak kitchen island Karen Berkemeyer Home4. Blue kitchen island Hazel and Brown design company5. Single line kitchen Black Lacquer Design6. Gray kitchen island Geoff Chick & Associates 7. L-shaped kitchen Cristina Crestin Design8. Light blue shaker kitchen Brittney Ferguson Interiors9. L-shaped kitchen island Design Shop Interior10. French kitchen Cantley & Company
Go With The Flow In Open
Open-plan living spaces often benefit from identifying dedicated spaces within the layout, for different purposes. Floating a kitchen island doesnt interrupt the flow of the floor plan, but it does clearly define the kitchen functionality within the space. Just as a dining table sets the scene for dining.
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