Help with orientation of 2 islands to replace 1 big island.

last year

Hi everyone. I am renovating my kitchen and would like to replace my giant single island(76 inches by 115 inches) that is not very usable right now with 2 smaller islands. I think I have 2 options both with its pros and cons.

First 2 photos is my current kitchen layout. I’ve included some photos of what the layouts that I’m considering as well.

Option 1 is to keep the sink where it is and have the 2 islands be parallel to the fridge. This option I don’t have to move the sink, but if I want to have 2 36 inch depth islands I would run out of space in my kitchen.
I think it might look cramped.

Option 2 is to move the sink to be opposite the stove and have the islands be parallel to the stove. This option is more work and more expensive and I’ve heard that there might be traffic jam in the cooking area. But I think I can get more usable islands ie 2 42inch or 48inch depth islands without cramping the kitchen space.

I welcome any suggestions that you might have. These 2 options are just what I’ve come up with off the top of my head.

Thank you very much.

Comments (24)

millworkman
last year
I would keep one island over two any day. Even not really usable, changing to two islands will just be sending good money after bad.
HU-918119203
last year
Aesthetically, I far prefer option 2, where everything is parallel. I don't really get the multiple islands thing, but that's what I'd do between these two options. Option 1 looks like a runway leading to a stove.
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Random thoughts: - Many years ago I lived in a house with this general layout (but smaller, more simple), and the general layout works well. - I like the downstairs bedroom -- someone else called it a guest room? Given that it might become your master in your old age, I'd extend the closet /make it a full wall. You can always have drawers in the closet /do without that piece of furniture. - I'd like to see a pocket door added between the stairs and the guest bath ... this would mean a person in that room could "block off" the bath /make it a private bath, when desired. - As your kitchen is drawn now, you have a "pinch point" upon entering from the garage. Getting in the door is fine, but entering the kitchen (a major traffic pattern) requires turning and squeezing through what is probably about a 3' space between cabinets. Imagine doing this with grocery bags, while carrying a toddler, or on crutches. A straight-line entry will be more user-friendly. - The kitchen is large but not particularly well laid out. Thinking back to the house I lived in, I'd lose the island altogether and go with a U-shaped kitchen. Put the refrigerator on the "back cabinet run". I'd also place the pantry between the garage and the kitchen ... this could be combined with the mudroom: pantry on one side, cubbies on the other ... and one walking aisle in the middle. It's a space saver. - Do you really need a dining room AND a breakfast nook AND island seating? And probably outdoor seating as well? How many places do you really need to eat? - I'd flatten out the back wall. The indentation in the nook will increase the cost of framing the house, and the extra space to reach the back door will be welcome. I'd flatten out the garage wall as well. - Windows are great, but you may have gone overboard. For windows to look good, you also need some blank space /some relief from the windows, and with so many windows you're cutting down on your space for artwork. I especially don't see the point in all the windows into the garage ... won't you put shelves on the back side, which you've labeled storage? Windows will just be covered up. - The great room looks nice ... but I'd consider flanking the fireplace with single French doors. My grandmother had such a set-up in her house, and it was so lovely ... she, too, had a sunroom beyond the fireplace. - I assume you'll place your TV on the wall shared with the guest room? If so, I think you'll end up using the door on the left of the fireplace (the door that doesn't now exist) most ... because you'll set the sofa on the other side of the room. - At 9' deep, is the sun room big enough for furniture placement? - Do you have two staircases down to the basement? Is this necessary? Stairs are quite expensive, and I think I'd rather spend the money elsewhere.
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Lyn Nielson
last year
#2
Mary Iverson
last year
Very good chance two islands will look like a cooking school.
WestCoast Hopeful
last year
Absolutely keep one island. Two is a bad idea.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
Please no 2 islands ever . Maybe post a to scale plan of the space for sure . You need 48" between the 2 islands so that would make the islands very skinny and not make sense .
cpartist
last year
Post your floor plan with measurements.

No to two islands.
PRO
Ouroboros Design
last year
The absolute worst Pinterest fad is to cram any island in, even if it doesnt fit. Even if it’s 1 too many.
lharpie
last year
I think the question is what isn’t working for you about the current layout. it’s not clear to me what problem 2 islands will solve.
Lorraine Leroux
last year
Hopefully someone who has two islands will chime in. I understand it is great for entertaining, a family that cooks together or for more than one cook in the kitchen. Do not worry about the naysayers. They don't know you or your life style.
la_la Girl
last year
last modified: last year
More info on what's not working with current island would be helpful I think -

ETA - I would rather have a slimmer island + a table (where people can face each other) than 2 islands (if the purpose of the 2nd island is only seating)
palimpsest
last year
If you make two smaller ones, one parallel to the range countertop will still be used for the same function as that part of the bigger island is used for.

What would you see using the second one for?
cat_ky
last year
I like the one with only one island the best, however, if you just have to have two islands (I dont think either option is all that great), I would choose option 2.
Nancy
Original Author
last year
Here’s the measurements and the layout of my current kitchen with the 1 large island. What’s not working for me? The island is just too big. Most of the center of the island is not reachable and it’s pretty much a magnet for clutter. There is also a lack of storage. There’s only storage in the sink side.

I would welcome any suggestions that would make the island more useful.

The only options that I’ve come up with is splitting the island down the middle and adding a walk way in between. It would seem option 2 is more practical. I would have the sink and dishwasher in the island closer to the stove. Might be able to get a 4x7 island and then another 3x7 island with seating parallel to it.
HU-918119203
last year
Why not just get a smaller island? You can have a lot more storage in a lot less space, while still seating plenty of people. I think if you fine one huge island to be a clutter magnet, you'll have the same experience with two.
WestCoast Hopeful
last year
I would increase aisles in the kitchen by a significant amount. 48-54” all around so two people can be in space. Add in storage on both sides of the island, drawers on sink side. Make the island more like 50” wide but 109” long.
palimpsest
last year
Why don't you just do one that is about 4x10 and make the aisles at least 48" each?
Nancy
Original Author
last year
Thank you for all the suggestions. Honestly I’ve never thought about making a smaller 1 island. I just always assumed I needed to fill that space. It is definitely something to consider.
lucky998877
last year
My kitchen is about 20'x22'...larger in both directions and I don't feel like I have space for 2 islands. Mine is 5'x8' with 4' walkways. I also have tons of storage, the side under the 16" overhang is of course not as usable, but great for rarely used items. My island has legs and seating for 5 on 3 sides. I think just downsizing with better design is the way to go for you :)
blfenton
last year
I agree with above thoughts. I would just do one island that's of a size that is useful and easy to use - max size would be 10' x 5'. Going 5' deep would allow some undercounter storage for seldom used items and still give you a 12" overhang. That still gives space for wider aisles.
Mrs Pete
last year
I would keep one island over two any day. Even not really usable, changing to two islands will just be sending good money after bad.

Totally true. The oversized island may've been a mistake, but duplicate islands would just be a different mistake. If you're going to change, go with one reasonably sized island.
cpartist
last year
Are you open to a better layout so people are not walking past the cooking zone
Nancy
Original Author
last year
Yes of course. I’m open to updates to the layout. Although I can only change the island. Can’t touch where the stove, fridge or microwave are.
cpartist
last year

Help with orientation of 2 islands to replace 1 big island.

Comments (24)

millworkman

HU-918119203

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