Kitchen layout
Is there room for a kitchen island? How to assess your layout
A kitchen island can add workspace and connect the kitchen with the living area. But fitting a rectangle onto a plan is only the start: you also need to walk around it, open drawers and work comfortably. Use these steps to assess the layout before choosing an island.
Concept images; not completed UNIT N projects.
Start with what the island needs to do
Decide how you use the kitchen. Do you primarily need preparation space, storage or seating? An island for food preparation has different layout needs from one with a hob or sink. Keep the wish list to functions you will use, then consider whether the space they need is worth the benefit.
Consider how the kitchen connects to the rest of the room. A route to the garden, dining table or living area must remain usable while someone cooks. Draw these routes, including the journey between fridge, worktop and sink. Allow for pushchairs, mobility aids or several people if relevant to your household.
Measure the space you actually have
Measure the finished room in several places and mark windows, doors, radiators, columns and existing service points. Include projections such as handles, window sills and the deepest part of appliances. A plan using only the outside dimensions of the room can otherwise be too optimistic.
Draw the proposed cabinets and island to scale. Measure the clear gap between the closest projecting edges, including worktops and handles. Repeat on every side: the narrowest route often determines how the layout feels.
Test circulation with doors and people
Mark a trial layout on the floor with masking tape or cardboard. Open the dishwasher, fridge and drawers as you would use them, and imagine someone walking past. Test whether two people can pass and an oven can be accessed safely. A clear measurement on a drawing does not fully describe movement during use.
As one reference, IKEA’s installation guide for its ENHET island recommends 120 cm between that island and other kitchen units. This is product-specific guidance, not a legal minimum or a guarantee that every layout will work. The space you need depends on the appliances, opening arcs, household and chosen arrangement.
Include seating and services
For seating, count more than the worktop overhang: include the stool, space to stand up and the path behind a seated person. Measure the furniture you plan to use and test it in the room. Seating on a busy route can make an island that fits on paper feel cramped.
If you want a hob or sink on the island, discuss the feasibility of electricity, water, drainage and extraction early. Routes and connection options vary by property. Have fixing points and services assessed before the floor build-up is finalised, including checks for existing underfloor heating and concealed lines.
Compare a smaller island or peninsula
If a freestanding island fits only by compromising circulation or appliance doors, test a shorter or shallower version. A peninsula connects to a wall or run of cabinets and does not need circulation on every side. A movable worktable can be another option where the room and intended use allow it.
Compare each option using the same three criteria: useful worktop, movement during everyday use and work needed for any services. Our kitchen preparation guide covers planning and service considerations in more detail. Explore how a kitchen renovation fits into the wider home.
Checklist before deciding
Record room and furniture dimensions, the narrowest clear route, appliances in their open position and the space behind seats. Mark desired functions and routes on the drawing. Have final measurements and technical feasibility checked against the actual room and the chosen products’ instructions.
Capture your priorities in the interactive renovation planner. It helps create an initial brief; a final design needs accurate measurement and assessment.
Want to understand which layout suits your space and daily routine? Discuss your kitchen plans with UNIT N.