Do you have room for an island in your kitchen? Find out by using a simple tip

by Mark Bennett

March 22, 2024

Do you have room for an island in your kitchen? Find out by using a simple tip
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Whether you want to remodel your kitchen entirely or simply increase your countertop space, adding an island to your kitchen might be something you are considering.

However, if you are wondering whether your kitchen is actually suitable for having an island added to it, there are some tips that can you can use to help with this decision.

Is your kitchen suitable for including an island?

Is your kitchen suitable for including an island?

@kovacsbuilder/Instagram

An island can be very useful to have in the kitchen, but not all (small) kitchens can practically have one added to it. The simplest way to find out if you can include a traditional, fixed island in your kitchen is to do preliminary test - described below:

The simplest and cheapest testing method is to make a cardboard copy of the island you plan to purchase. Alternatively, use some scrap plywood to make this copy.

So, what if - after testing - you determine that an island will not work for you? Well, check out the alternative solutions you may want to consider, listed below:

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An equipped trolley

An equipped trolley

Amazon

A trolley equipped with a large top and a cabinet to hold all your tools is great alternative to a fixed island (and is also great for the above-mentioned testing process).

Open shelves

Open shelves

Amazon

If you want to add functionality to your kitchen without adding "bulk", choose a cabinet with open shelves; a model with a wine rack, for example, will be perfect for recreating a small cellar in your kitchen.

Trolley with a shelf

Trolley with a shelf

@janemcwallace/Instagram

Even a simple trolley with a shelf will be enough to improve your kitchen. And it can easily be moved up against a wall when you need the space.

Chest of drawers with work surface

Chest of drawers with work surface

Pinterest

If you want to try some DIYing, get a chest of drawers and add a work surface to one side. This will make the perfect breakfast island.

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Kitchen desk

Kitchen desk

Pinterest

Even a simple desk can be transformed quickly into a perfect island for your small kitchen.

Construction

Construction

Pinterest

And what about using the walls of your kitchen to create a small island that also serves as a room divider, like shown here?

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Bookcase with shelving

Repurpose a bookcase into a kitchen island: just place a sufficiently large top on it get what you need.

littleglassjar.com

littleglassjar.com

Even a simple coat of paint will suffice to transform a recycled bookcase into a kitchen island.

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Folding table top

Folding table top

Pinterest

To save space, use a narrow piece of furniture with a folding top.

Food prep trolley

Food prep trolley

wayfair.com

Even a small food prep trolley can be transformed into a cute kitchen island.

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Cabinet with shelves

Cabinet with shelves

Pinterest

A cabinet with shelves will make a perfect breakfast island with two stools added.

Which of these "alternative" kitchen islands do you prefer?

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