I would check the Finished Kitchens Blog. There is a "Pot Rack" category under "Special Features" (scroll down to the find the category.)

But, are you saying the pot rack will be 4" to 10" wider than the island? 4" might not be much of a problem for head clearance, but I think 10" definitely will be since it's on a walkway.

Here is a link that might be useful: Finished Kitchens Blog's Category

If you want a pot rack over a narrow island, I would do one that is a long bar type -- just a single width of pans overhead. I would not hang a pot rack over an island that is narrower than the pot rack.

If you are going to use a pot rack, the rack itslef is likely to be much narrower than the pots hanging from it. If you have average size pans, you are likely to have pans hanging 4-6 inches (for 8-12" wide pans) on either side of your rack. Even a 30" potrack could easily become 38-42" wide when hung and put to use.

We had a pot rack in our kitchen before the remodel. I really liked it functionally but our kitchen is small and we needed more natural light. So we now have skylight over the island. I miss the convenience of the rack and it did really help with storage. In another layout I probably would try to find the right spot for it again.

I don't have an actual island but a 30" free-standing butcher's block that functions as an island. We have had a pot rack hanging over it for 35+ years and can't imagine a kitchen without it. It is so handy and I've gotten over my hang-up about shiny pan bottoms.

I love pot racks in theory-- all my favorite old tools hanging there ready to use, no digging around, plus the extra space of course-- but in practice, I don't think they work well.

Daily use pots and pans can look a little grungy on the outside. I think they are fine for public veiwing, not everyone would agree. I'm not going to waste precious hours cleaning the outside of a pot that's already germ free [due to heat] just because it has some baked on residue.

If you aren't the sort of person that likes that lived in look I think a potrack is a constant vexation.

Because rarely/never used cookware on a rack gets greasey and dusty, needs to be run through the DW on occasion. In essence, it becomes a display, but a higher maintenence one than need be. A rack full of dusty, spiderwebby pots is about as gross a thing as you can hang over your cooking area.

I love my pot rack. It is so handy to be able to grab what you need and to see everything. The only thing I would caution is don't hang it too low -- ours should have been hung a little higher -- or -- we need some drawers for some of the largest lowest hanging pots.

It's true --what oruboris said -- you need to keep your pots really clean and shiny. I don't mind that at all.

Even if I had more storage I would keep the rack -- I would prefer the looks of a pretty hanging pendant but would not give up the great convenience of the rack.

Thanks, everyone, for your input. And for pointing out the obvious - that the potrack would likely be wider than the island itself. I'm very interested in the idea of a long bar type of potrack. Does anyone have pictures or an example to share?

For my pot rack I used a wrought iron curtain rod (abt 36") and rod holders that are a full circle, where you have to take off the finial and put the rod through the circle/loop then re-attatch the finial. Then I fastened the holders to the ceiling and the rod hangs from there. I bought some S hooks to hang my pots from. I really like the look and it works in a small area. Sorry I don't know how to share pictures, but if you'd like to see and someone can explain I will try to post some.