Wht. size is your kitchen island & how do you use yours?

16 years ago

Look @ our plan: The Glenhaven

http://www.frankbetz.com/homeplans/search_results.html

The kitchen is 14'4" x 14'9" with a tiny island. The island is actually 2' x 3'.... What is everyone else using their island for? We don't want a sink placed in it, but we do definitely want the GE Profile Beverage Fridge placed underneath, which is counter height & ~ 2ft. wide & 2ft. deep. We believe that it will fit the tiny island perfectly & w/ maybe enough space for a tiny cabinet on the side.

The builders standard for the island is ~3ft. wide & 4ft. long..... What exactly would we do w/ such a tiny island if we left it as is (2' x 3')? BUT, we definitely don't want to lose any floor space if we do go w/ the larger island size that is standard for the builder. Also, I'm thinking that there is a reason for the plan to only have such a tiny island in the kitchen. We haven't been to see the cabinet maker yet as we'll be getting started within the nxt. 3-4wks (waiting for the engineering changes & the Town to approve the plans).

Plz. give us ideas.... Does anyone else have a Beverage Center in the kitchen & where did you put it?

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Comments (29)

aixia
16 years ago
No beverage center here. My island is a little bigger than 2'x4', and I use it as my main prep area when cooking. I have room on my other counters, so I use those too for prepping stuff, but my island is my prime prep area. 2'x3' would be too small for me, and sometimes the 2'x4' is too small! I have a lot of baking supplies, so my island storage is all baking stuff. I would think a beverage center would be a great use of the space, particularly if you go through a lot of liquids and your regular fridge is on the small side.
lyfia
16 years ago
Mine is 6'x3' and I use it for prepping. 2'x3' does seem small and seems like all it would be good for is a landing space. Can you tell how much space is around it? Ie does it have just 3ft walk ways around it? If so I wouldn't even do it as that makes your kitchen a 1 person kitchen. Ie not room enough for multiple people to move around.

Are there other options for a beverage fridge. Looks like it has space to do it in a several spots, for exampple underneath the serving bar.
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hoosiergirl
16 years ago
We have a huge L-shaped island in our new home. It's an integral part of the cabinetry of the kitchen and houses both the main and prep sink. But in our last home, we had a tiny 2 x 4 island and I loved it as well. We only had 29" clearance on one side and even with that, I wouldn't have been without it. It was used as a landing space for the fridge and I prepped and baked on it. I think it depends on how you use a kitchen, but for me, I wouldn't want to be without an island unless I had a galley kitchen. Hope that helps!
zone_8grandma
16 years ago
Mine is 3 and 1/2 by 5 and 1/2. I use it for cooking (cooktop is there) and prep.

My sister has a smaller one about 2 by 4. She uses it for prep and used the bottom for storage. Her kitchen is long and narrow and it works well for her.
2x3 does sound like it would be too small to be really useful.
buzzsaw
16 years ago
Check out the specs on the GE Profile beverage center regarding clearances on top, sides, and back. We had considered it at one time, but dismissed it. If I recall correctly, it doesn't lend itself to undercounter installs too well. In a 'normal' undercounter install, it would likely burn out the motor prematurely the salesman told us...
kats
16 years ago
missymar,
Sorry I couldn't pull up your link so not sure the layout.

We building 2 islands. `1 is very large, the 2nd would be more what you're trying to address. That island is 3'x 4'. I don't know if what we're doing would work with the weight of your refrigerator in it but....
*the top will have a butcherblock cutting board. You could do a lighter material on the top to help keep the weight down.
*It will have electricity running to it from a floor outlet in the kitchen so I can run small appliances on it. You'll need electricity anyway for your frig so that would work for you.
*The best part of the island is since it will also be on wheels I'll be able to move it around. I can hook it up where ever I choose to put it. In our GR for Christmas dinner, make a dessert/coffee station out of it or, even take it out to our back porch for margarita parties.

My cabinetry guy is just now starting on my kitchen. It will be a month before it's ready. That's a month in construction time! LOL

I've adding a link for our kitchen blue print. It shows the smaller island much better than a real picture could at this point. The island is #4C

Here is a link that might be useful:
sue36
16 years ago
My kitchen is 15'6" x 25'. That includes the eating area. The island is about 36x101. It includes a Marvel beverage center and 2 36" drawer stacks. We didn't do a sink because our sink is opposite the middle of the island (on a long side), so it is right there, no need for a prep sink. I don't do prep work at the sink anyway, I do it on a cutting board. I tend to use the perimeter cabinets for prep and the island for things like setting out dishes.

Many of the kitchens in those stock plans show an island, but it will be really tight with one. I looked at your plan, and it is hard to tell what the aisles are. It also looks like the island juts into the walkway from the left entrance a little. Just make sure your walkways are 48"+ and your working aisles are 42"+. Some people can handle less, but that kitchen has a lot going on in a small space. My work aisles are 48" and my walking aisle is 60".
loves2read
16 years ago
in our current house there is small island--maybe 18 x 18--which has cabinet below I use for storing baking stuff and electric skillet---it has electric outlet which comes in handy -- it is a landing zone for emptying dishwasher and transferring dishes to cabinets across to other side of kitchen--just another step or so but makes a different in how easy it is to unload dishwasher.

I use this for prep work, unloading groceries, and even cooking if I need an electric skillet at times--and we use it for serving---I can even pull up a stool and eat at it but not too easily.

it is difficult for two people to work in this kitchen's layout because of how close it is to the cooktop and sink---would be impossible for someone in wheelchair to really negotiate kitchen

but w/o it--would be even more of a hassle taking clean dishes out of dishwasher---so not having one would probably be a worse evil...but

I really don't like my entire kitchen plan--one of the major reasons we are tying to build a new home...

you really need to think about how that island will impace your kitchen habits, how many people are normally in your kitchen when you are working and why THIS design has one--sometimes they are added because people expect an island in a new build and they really are bad design....kitchen needs to be most personal reflection of habits of owners than any other room in house probably---and they are usually the designed for the worst in a spec build where there is probably no imput from people who actually buy the house..

PS--where are you planning on storing YOUR everyday dishes that come out of the dishwasher daily?
rachelh
16 years ago
Ours will be 2' x 4'. Just for prep and storage. Our plan wouldn't accomodate anything larger. This leaves us with 36" aisles.
mcassel
16 years ago
As you can see my countertop for the whole kitchen is just my island which is 18' with a 36" cooktop and 36" sink... This makes a very large island but not a huge work space... I love modern/minimal design so think it will look and work great once it gets built.
chisue
16 years ago
Our aisles are 40 - 46" wide. Works great. Also think about what appliances open *into* an aisle. Don't put a sink or cooktop opposite anything that opens. Leave plenty of "laying space" beside sinks, refrigerators, cooktops. Remember that under-counter cabinets are not as convenient to use as wall cabinets. Have a place for garbage/waste? For the dog's dishes? LOL And the BIG issue of what to do with kitchen towels!!!
logicalone
16 years ago
About 4 x 10. Kitchen is 17 ft wide so with base cabinets either side and 4 ft island, isles are about 54 inches. Seats 4 easily, small prep sink, 36 inch Windcrest cooktop and plenty of prep room.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1420059}}
kygirl99
16 years ago
my kitchen is 25' long and 15' wide, counting the breakfast area. and I have a 10' long and 6' wide butler's pantry. my cabinets are u-shaped in my kitchen. my island is 3' x 6' and has a small prep sink. I agree with sue on the need for wide aisles. I have made all of my working aisles 48" because my last house had 39" aisles and it was too narrow. I think the aisle on the side with my old wall oven was only 36". I couldn't even open the oven door while standing in front of it.
aphilla
16 years ago
We have a big kitchen so don't know how much this will help. Our island is 9'x5'. The aisles around are 42" (across from the cooking surface) and >>48" on the other sides. We don't have a beverage center (we have one in an adjacent butler's area) but have a sink. We can do three prep areas on the island (have done dough rolling, ingred prep and staging), as well as having an eating area for 4.
feedingfrenzy
16 years ago
My island is 36" by 60". I wouldn't want it a whole lot smaller.

But in my opinion, your kitchen layout has bigger issues than the small island. The fridge is very far from both the stovetop and the sink, and the island is right in the middle. That means you'll always be walking around it to prepare meals. I also notice the pantry is quite far from the kitchen. In addition, people will inevitably walk though the kitchen to get to other rooms.

I really have to say that I don't think the kitchen design is at all efficient. Sorry.
alwaysgolf
16 years ago
Ours is roughly 4'by 8' with a prep sink and room for a couple of barstools. Aisles are between 40-45 inches wide. Use if for prep and serving when entertaining friends. Plus after dinner we pull up stools and sit around and chat.

Plus we have a counter that seperates the family room from the kitchen that is 2' by 11' not including the stone/wood columns.
vfish
16 years ago
My island is 9 1/2 X 4 1/2. I am using it for my main prep and cooking area. I am housing a microwave, stovetop and a 2 drawer ref. in it. It will also have a bar sink and sit 3 people.
On the backside of the island is a cabinet that will act as a mini-bar and I will be able to lock it up when needed.
My kitchen is approximately 24' X 14'. I wanted a bigger island and my DH had to "throttle me back a bit with this". My walkspace is 45" around 3 sides and 52" around one end.
amyks
16 years ago
Our island will be 6 X 6, provided we can find a granite slab that will support that. I will have my cooktop and a prepsink on it, and there will be an area curved out where the kids can sit. The bones of the island will be storage and a wine cooler. There are 4 foot aisles.

Amy
kellyeng
16 years ago
My kitchen is 16 x18 and it is open to the living and dining rooms. I have two islands: One in the middle that is 4x8 and will have the prep sink and storage and the one on the outside (separating the livingroom from the kitchen) is 3.5 x 9 and will have storage, main sink and two dishwashers on kitchen side and an 18" overhang for seating on the livingroom side. I have 4 foot aisles between the islands and the wall countertop. For a two cook kitchen I think that would be minimum. Not that I will have any help but I can always dream!
amyks
16 years ago
LOL kellyeng! Let me know what genie in a bottle gave you help in the kitchen. I want some of that!!
bebetokids
16 years ago
missymar-We are also building a Frank Betz-the Kensington Park. My kitchen is 13'4"X 10'6" and calls for a 2 X 4 island. I too have debated about this and wondered if it may be tight in the aisles. It seems the aisles may be 44" if I calculate right. I want the island for landing/prep space as well. The island also seems a little in the way when I think about cooking-navigating around it. I am thinking of getting an island on lockable wheels with a butcher block top in roughly the same dimensions so I can move it around where I want it to be. Closer to the sink when prepping, closer to the fridge when loading, unloading and out of the way when I need it moved. Here is the kitchen of the house we are building in a recently finished home, we will move the ovens here as well, different from the plan:
{{gwi:1420061}}
We are going to have a wet bar-just havent decided the exact location. I think it will be under the stairs beside the breakfast nook. This will be kids juice boxes, yogurt, cheese etc to move their stuff out of my fridge. The other option is to put it where the kitchen counters kick back around and shows a desk in the plan. Here is my 1st floor plan:
columbodial
16 years ago
Our kitchen is 3x7 and is used for prep work also. Walk space on 3 sides is 41",48", and 55"
missymar
Original Author
16 years ago
I love your floor plan & lay-out. Seems you will have a bit of the same issue w/ your island too. That's a very good idea to have the island a butcher-block type & it be on wheels. At this moment, I'm still kinda stuck on the idea of putting the beverage fridge underneath it & having it stationary. We will have 42" of space on 2 sides of our tiny island & 48" on the other 2 sides. We'll definitely leave the island size as is so that we won't lose any aisle space. However, after we get to cabinetry, it may turn-out that we can stick the beverage fridge some place else. Then we may be able to have an island on wheels also.

How far are you all w/ your build? Hopefully we'll start in the nxt. 4wks - max. Our builder is getting the plans re-engineered for the few changes that we wanted - will take abt. 1 wk. And then we'll have to wait abt. 2wks for plan approval by our town. Maybe I should be thinking ~5wks. 'til we'll seee some action, huh?

What color will your cabinets be? I jst. love the cabinets & the wood flooring colors in the pic. you submitted, but we really don't want any white cabinets.
bebetokids
16 years ago
We are just beginning our build-signed contract early Feb and has taken this long to go thru engineering and pull the permit. Builder thought 4 weeks at best but this is starting the busy season so that stretched to about 8. I think footers are being poured today if dried out from rain a couple of days ago!

I think one of the best things to do is mock up your island/kitchen the best you can and see how the movement is. I have done this a couple of times but it is very close for me. Of more issue is the location and whether it blocks traffic pattern. Talk to those on the kitchen forum-those guys are pros. I need to ask a couple more ?'s myself.

DH does not want white either but it may be a fight. We are working with a designer who is contracted by the builder to help us make decisions and stay on budget so she is trying to referee. We will probably go with a natural cherry and will definitely have hardwood floors.
demeron
16 years ago
30" wide by 4' long, aisles are about 40". We love it. I was worried it might be annoying to work around, but it is a great place to roll out dough and dish up pancakes to children.
brosamj
15 years ago
Maybe someone could help me. I will have an island that is 4 feet in depth by 8 feet in length. If one side will be available for sitting, how many people on regular bar stools could sit at that island? Will that sit 5 or 6 or only 4? Any thoughts? I don't know how much room people generally need when sitting. Thanks.
jennymama
15 years ago
Hi brosamj,

My island will be the exact dimensions of yours. I am planning on seating for 4. You could always add seating to either end, depending on your layout.

HTH!
lindybarts
15 years ago
Supposedly you should allow 24 inches per place setting. Based on that formula, you should fit 4 exactly. But I think it totally depends on the scale of the bar stool. Some are bulkier than others. At our 11 foot island, we only have 4 stools.
grandlaker
15 years ago
4x5 granite top with prep sink and soap dispenser; doors on all 4 sides.

On one side, drawers for big utensils and placemats. On opposite side where the sink is located, shelves for small appliances. The appliances can be worked around the plumbing and garbage disposal.

On the other two sides, we have shallow shelves (only 3 inches deep but 4' wide) with adjustable pegs. On the island side close to the cooktop, we have all of the spices which makes it handy. On the other side of the island, we store all of the "box" items (foil, plastic storage bags, film wrap, etc.). No lost space.

Wht. size is your kitchen island & how do you use yours?

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aixia

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Wht. size is your kitchen island & how do you use yours?

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