What is the widest you would go for aisles around kitchen island?

4 years ago

Is 4' ideal? Is 4.5' too wide? We will have a pretty big U shaped kitchen at almost 22' wide but I don't want the island to be too massive. If we did a 4.5x9' island we'd have 48" to 54" aisles around the 3 sides. If you have this much space can you post a pic? Thanks!

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lucky998877

4 years ago

I'm designing the aisle to be 50" by the sink, so there is no traffic jam when someone loads the dish washer. The aisle by the range will be 52ish" again for no traffic jam. We have 6 people who are in and out...more cooks as the kids get older. My current kitchen has 36" aisles and 40" by the range and I feel it's way too tight with more than 1 person in the kitchen...also having only 1 sink has been one of my biggest frustrations. My current kitchen is the best teacher for what not to do ;)

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Comments (10)

rwiegand
4 years ago
If you have to take a step to get from the sink or stove to the island it is too far for efficient work. I think you want to be able to pivot from one to the other. My best advice is to get some cardboard boxes and mock it up to see what feels comfortable for you. There is no one "right" answer.

In a very large space I'd want to configure distinct, compact workstations either for multiple cooks or different kinds of activities. In general I think the fridge and the oven can be positioned away from the primary work areas as you don't need to access them very often in the course of most cooking. Having to take several steps to get to them doesn't waste much time.

I have seen islands so big the owner had to use a sponge on a stick to wipe the center of it; I think it is safe to say that was too big. I wouldn't make an island I couldn't reach all the way across. Ours is 42", bordering on too big for my long arms.
seabornman
4 years ago
Our island was assembled and we were able to move it to the place where it felt best before attaching to the floor and running electrical. My better half said she wanted at least 4' and preferred 4'-6" until she saw it actually in place. We settled on 3'-10". We can easily pass by each other (unless a drawer or the dishwasher is fully open) and it doesn't feel like a walk from one side to the other.
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zmith
4 years ago
My aisle will be 40" but it's just me most of the time. It's perfect for a one-step pivot between the cooktop and sink.
sheilaskb
4 years ago
Personally I would want the aisles to be five feet wide to allow for opening doors of the oven and/or refrigerator or cabinets under the sink. Also, consider how comfortable the kitchen will be with two or more people working there. In addition to this, think of the handicap accessibility should someone in a wheelchair need to work in the kitchen. People are much larger than they used to be, making larger spaces necessary, and handicap accessibility is an important consideration too.
sushipup1
4 years ago
We had 48" in a previous house, and it worked just fine for two people. I would not have wanted it wider.
cpartist
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
4' is perfect. It's one step from island to perimeter and enough room to open the dishwasher and still have someone be able to walk past.

I believe the space between my fridge and island is closer to 42" or 41". If you'd like I can measure for you.

BTW this is the first time I've ever had this much space for an aisle and it's just heaven.

22' is a large sized kitchen. You said you're doing a U shaped kitchen. Ideally the three work stations (sink, fridge, cooktop) shouldn't be more than 9' from one another. Otherwise you'll start needing roller skates.
cpartist
4 years ago
In addition to this, think of the handicap accessibility should someone in a wheelchair need to work in the kitchen.

Four feet is plenty as long as there's enough room to maneuver around the island. I know this is true because I have a friend in a wheelchair and she had no trouble wheeling around the island.
badgergal
4 years ago
My aisle is 50” counter to counter. It is not too wide. It’s big enough to accommodate a person at the sink and at the cooktop at the same time. Forty eight inches would have been fine.
Sometimes I wish I had made it 48” so my island could have been 2” wider.
itsourcasa
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you so much!! Definitely doing 4' minimum, badgergal your photo helps a lot it looks perfect at 50" even 52 will be fine.

cpartist... we finally figured out a kitchen design that I think is close to final. I'm scared what you will say though lol..

We will build shelves over the wine fridge area.

We will possibly move the fridge over further from the sink (swap cabinets/fridge).