In most kitchens the island is where everything happens: prep, homework, breakfast and conversation. Make it bigger and it becomes the heart of the house. A grand kitchen island, the grand island at the center of a large kitchen, can hold a sink, a cooktop, seating for a crowd and more storage than many small kitchens. Here is how to size, plan and finish one.
How big should a grand island be?
Start with the room, not the island: the space around the island matters more than its size.
| Measurement | Guideline |
|---|
| Walkway around the island | At least 36 in; 42 in along work areas; 48 in where two cooks work |
| Seating width | About 24 in per person |
| Overhang at 36 in counter height | About 15 in of knee space |
| Overhang at 42 in bar height | About 12 in of knee space |
| Depth for cabinets plus seating | Around 36 to 42 in |
| Length for 4 to 5 seats | Roughly 8 to 10 ft |
These figures follow the National Kitchen & Bath Association's planning guidelines. If your room allows a 9- or 10-foot island with 42-inch aisles on the working sides, you have space for a truly grand island.
What to put in the island
- A prep sink lets two people cook without crossing paths.
- A cooktop keeps the cook facing guests, but needs a ceiling hood or downdraft and a safe distance from the seating.
- A dishwasher and trash pull-out next to the island sink.
- Deep drawers for pots, pans and dishes, far easier to use than base cabinet doors.
- Seating-side storage: shallow cabinets or bookshelves under the overhang.
- A beverage fridge or microwave drawer on the guest-facing end.
Shapes and layouts
A long rectangle is the most efficient shape, but a large kitchen opens other options:
- Double island: one for work, one for seating and serving.
- L-shaped or T-shaped island: wraps seating around a corner so guests face each other.
- Two-level island: a raised bar section hides the prep area from the living room.
- Table-height extension: a 30-inch dining section at one end turns the island into the family table.
Make it a statement: color and finish
The island is the easiest place for a bold color, because it reads as one piece of furniture rather than a whole room. Popular combinations:
- Navy island, white perimeter: try Galaxy Indigo, Emerald Blue or Nova.
- Green island: 21st Century's Kingston is offered in base cabinets and vanities, which makes it a natural island color.
- Wood island with painted perimeter cabinets: Galaxy Timber or Luna Kona bring warmth.
- Black or charcoal island for drama, balanced by light countertops.
Designer tip: Give a grand island furniture details, such as decorative end panels, turned legs or a paneled back on the seating side, so it looks like a crafted piece rather than a row of base cabinets.
Countertops for a big island
A grand island raises one practical question: will one slab cover it? Most quartz and porcelain slabs are roughly 10 to 11 feet long, so very long or deep islands may need a seam. Plan the seam with your fabricator, or choose a jumbo slab. Popular choices include:
- Quartz: durable, low-maintenance and available with dramatic veining for a showpiece top.
- Granite: natural stone with a pattern that is different in every slab.
- Porcelain: very hard, heat resistant and well suited to waterfall edges.
A waterfall edge, where the countertop continues down the sides of the island, turns the island into a sculptural centerpiece. Read more in choosing the best kitchen island countertop.
Lighting the island
Pendants define a grand island. As a rule of thumb, hang them about 30 to 36 inches above the countertop and leave roughly 24 to 30 inches between fixtures; two or three larger pendants usually look better than a row of small ones.
Ready to plan your island? Bring your room measurements to any of our showrooms, or see more ideas for grand kitchens.