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Islands: How big is too big?

14 years ago

Hello- I am working on the components of my new layout, and I have alot of space to work with for the island. I haven't decided on a one-level or bi-level yet, but at what point does an island become a continent, or too big to use all the space?

Featured Answer

rhome410

14 years ago

I don't think you have room to make it too big? I would sure vote for one-level, so it can be accessed from all sides (great for working with the kids on a project, wrapping gifts, etc.), and with counter height, you'd need 15" for overhang. Our island is 4 ft by 5 ft, and I think the 4 ft is a nice depth. The 5 ft direction seems like it would be a lot, especially with the 6 ft length...It'd get pretty square looking.

Our last island was about 39" deep, which was nice work space, too....so you don't even need as much as 4 ft if it crowds your space.

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Comments (9)

spincrazy25
Original Author
14 years ago
I should mention that it would be 6' wide, so I am asking about the depth. I will have stools on the backside, so I have to account for overhang. Thanks!
palimpsest
14 years ago
Not so big that you can't reach the middle to clean it.
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remodelfla
14 years ago
Geez... that's the second time tonight palimpset said exactly what I was going to say!
Buehl
14 years ago
Ditto to RemodelFla (& Palimpsest)!

If you're trying to get cabinets on both sides + overhang, you'll need at least:
1.5" overhang + 24" cab + 24" cab + 15" seating overhang = 64.5" (5'4-1/2")
Can you reach (stretch!) across 33"?

One comment...if you do put cabinets on the seating side, get full-height doors w/no drawer on top. You need to be able to open them and get into them w/o the overhang getting in the way. I would probably get a regular shelf (stationary/adjustable) for the top shelf and then roll-out trays for the 2 other shelves.
plllog
14 years ago
Definitely one level! Didn't you go into this wanting it to be open?

Too big? I've seen it. It was the size of a king size bed.

People with superbig islands use things like mops for cleaning the middle. But what use the middle is on a king sized island I'll never know. :)
bmorepanic
14 years ago
Roughly, you want about 4.5 to 5 feet between the island edge and the back or the sofa or sofa table. This allows for free passage even when the stools are filled. Other than that, make it as big as you want.

Also vote for all one level.
shelly_k
14 years ago
I also much prefer one level to bi-level.

I think 4 feet is a nice depth, but you could probably go up to 4 1/2 feet depth (including all overhangs) and still be able to reach across to the middle to clean. I think 5 feet depth would get a little hard to clean, although may look fine with the scale of your room.
andreanewengland
14 years ago
Our island in the house we moved from last year was 6x6.5'. Yes it was massive, maybe a little too big. But I kind of liked it. The "cooking" wall had a pro cooktop w/ double convection ovens to the left and base cab and a counter top cab on the right. Facing the cooktop was the island: d/w, big sink, tray cabinet. On the right side were straw produce drawers, trash pull-outs, 50-lb icemaker. Next side (facing the family rm) was an open display/cookbook shelves w/dead panels on each side. The fourth side, facing the breakfast room, were a base cab, microwave opening w/drawer below for dog sweaters, dead panel which was the side of the dishwasher. I hope that's clear.

It did have some dead space which I could clean by stretching! I sometimes debated if I would do it that way again, but I did get alot of stuff/storage there.

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