Take a Seat at the New Kitchen-Table Island

Richard Martin - West Coast Home Design says:

Great collection, Rebekah! You have covered just about every configuration. I'll be happy to share this idea book with our readers as well!

Becky Harris says:

I LOVE this! Everyone likes to gather in the kitchen; we may as well design it so that they aren't all sitting on the counters or getting in the cook's way!

kvweems says:

I have been considering the same thing for my kitchen. The number one think I need is more counter and work space. Doing a table/island combo could save me a lot of money as I could put it in the space currently occupied by my breakfast table -- then I won't have to bother with rearranging the layout of the kitchen. Thanks for the ideas -- I'm inspired!

sushison says:

I really like the idea of eating in the kitchen. It simplifies more while keeping formality where it should be. I feel this also promotes cooking at home vice takeout, which never hurts.

Natasha says:

We added legs similar in shape to the first photo to our island bench in tasmanian oak and I love how it gives the island a more "dining" style look and a little daintiness & softness to the stone benchtop.

dianajburton says:

I am a kitchen designer outside Chicago. Here is a quick list of my suggestions for your new kitchen:

1. Keep the table-style island at 36" high, so it adds valuable work space.
2. Eliminate the chairs on the sink/range side, so that the cook
can prep/chop etc. and interact with people sitting on the other side.
If you have chairs on both sides, then the cook is forced to work with his/her back
to the island, and the people sitting there.
3. Increase the space between the end of the island and the fridge. Not enough
space there can create frustrating traffic jam in the kitchen when someone has the
door open.

The idea is to create the look of a table without giving up all the great functional features that make islands so popular. I hope you find this helpful!

traceyg says:

You wouldn't have to give up the seating on the sink/range side if it tucked under the "island" when not in use. Just a thought ...

Rebekah Zaveloff says:

Thanks for all the great comments and glad some of you found this helpful. I agree, traceyg, I think we'll either have a place to put the chairs for the sink/range side of the island or maybe a bench that tucks under and out of the way. Thanks for the suggestions, diana, all those are things I'm keeping in mind for sure! drummondhouseplans, thanks for sharing with your readers!

pderfus says:

I don't see dimensions on your drawing, so these comments may or may not apply. But, a) if you don't want to make your table/island smaller (per dianajburton's comment) make sure you get a 'french door' fridge - that works fine in my house with a tight island/fridge walk way (36"); b) are you tall or short? I'm tall, and a table height table/island would NOT work for me; c) do you gather your stuff and sit while you work or do you make lots of trips and stand? If you sit while you work, then a table height might be okay, if you stand, counter height would probably be better. Ditto, if you gather your supplies and sit, a table would probably be fine, but if you move around a lot, you probably won't want chairs/stools with backs on the prep side of the island. d) This is a small house you say? Probably a smallish kitchen? I only see cabinets in the L-shape. While a table/island might be stylish, don't cut your storage space short. Most people underestimate how much storage they need, and regardless, unless you are a ruthless weeder, your storage needs will grow over time as you add gear and gadgets to your kitchen. Finally, I always wanted a big farmhouse kitchen table in my kitchen, but I also live in a 'small' house and needed the storage (and some appliances) in the island, so I opted for a wooden counter on the island. It's still very much an island as I didn't go for the legs on the overhang side (didn't want them in the way), but it gets plenty of comments and warms the room up tremendously. I'm currently switching out my backless stools for counter chairs to make it more comfortable. The fact is even though I have a beautiful oak table in the adjacent family room, everyone's first choice is always to gather at the island.

dancingfish says:

The backless stools really seem to be the key to making these kitchens work. Such a small detail but one I probably would not have thought of.

As far as the kitchen sketch- my vote is for cabinet height- but I question the wording of this is a SMALL kitchen.. IMO a small kitchen is not big enough for a table.

Rebekah Zaveloff says:

So true dancing fish! Sorry, I stand corrected. This is a big kitchen to us too! I'm just spoiled as a kitchen designer because I get to design many kitchens that are larger. We are so thrilled to have the option of a table or island in this kitchen!

Kit Murphy says:

Such a timely ideabook! I've just been revisiting the idea of trying to fit a small island/table in my little kitchen. I've only got 7' of space, which is tantalizingly close to looking like enough, except when you think about maneuvering around it all day. I'm attaching a crude but accurate layout. Is it doable in my space? I don't think a 2' cart is worth it myself, but 3' is too big methinks.

Kit Murphy says:

Alright let's try the upload again...

Kit Murphy says:

I guess the image is too small; sorry about that.

leslieli says:

I am debating this exact issue...and have a big square kitchen in an old farmhouse, with 4 doors. I end up feeding groups of kids frequently (6-8) so I am reluctant to give up the table. Does antone have experience with kids at this high surface? De sit work for them?

Valerie Kilpatrick says:

Thank you so much! This was a good primer that got me looking in new diredtions on various kitchen island/table ideas.

Dena says:

Great ideabook! Is there a separate Dining Room as well? Because this seems like an awful lot of seating for a kitchen, do U need that much? If not, you might consider 4 seats on one side of island (no seats on stove/sink side) - or perhaps a combination of seats on one END, and along one side. If you can incorporate an end, an entire side, or at least SOME part of the island for additional function (drawers, storage, wine fridge, display, etc) it would be more functional. You might also consider a small island of counter-height cabinetry, from which an actual farmhouse table (different color & material) is attached, and juts outward (table height). Just some thoughts. Good luck!

Danielle says:

This is a great ideabook and solved a dilemna that has been challenging me...I like a big island but would like a great place for me and hubby to sit across from each other. I like the idea of a counter-height cupboard on one side, open table on other side with a couple of backless barstools that will fit underneath out of the way....all finished off in one piece of countertop, either marble or quartz. It will work perfectly for us, thanks for the inspiration!

Judy says:

Well, I would go for the table height, but then again, I am short and often do things (like kneading dough, or rolling pastry) on my kitchen table, as opposed to the countertop, which is too high for me for that sort of work. Having a combination island bench and kitchen table would be a great space saver. I also don't like sitting on stools for anything more than a quick meal or drink. However, I am a bit conflicted, because I do like the idea of being able to push the seating under the bench and out of the way when not in use

smittycdm says:

In your role as a KD, what amt of space do you generally allow between the seats at an island? Your chairs appear to be fairly close together, w/o knowing the scale of the drawing. The useable seating area of our island ended up being 94". If you plan to have two people eat a meal, or even hunker down & spread his/her elbows, you might need more room. I know we thought we'd get four "seats" at the island during the planning & blueprint stage. What do you think?

smittycdm says:

I forgot to say thank you for a terrific Ideabook, again! You inspire so many thoughts I get carried away.

clara732 says:

just came across your photos and loved the ideal of a counter height table instead of an actual island. My problem is I can't seem to find anything in my area like the first two you show. Can you tell me how to find them. Thanks