Kitchen Islands
Bespoke Kitchen Islands and Breakfast Bars
A kitchen island changes how a kitchen works - it adds prep space, storage, seating and a gathering point all in one.
Why a Kitchen Island Makes Such a Difference
A kitchen island turns a single-sided kitchen into a room you can move around. It gives you worktop space that faces into the room rather than facing a wall, which changes the way you interact with the kitchen - you can prep food while talking to someone at the table, help children with homework while cooking, or pour drinks for guests without turning your back.
Storage is the other major benefit. An island provides deep drawers, open shelving and cabinet space in the middle of the kitchen where it is easiest to reach. Many of our island designs include integrated appliances - wine fridges, dishwashers or waste bins - that free up space in the main run of units.
What We Design Into Kitchen Islands
Every island is different because every kitchen is different. These are the most common configurations we design and build:
- Standard storage island - deep pan drawers, cabinet storage and open shelving. A clean worktop for food preparation with no appliances to work around.
- Island with breakfast bar - an overhanging worktop on one side or end, supported by a corbel or waterfall panel, providing seating for two to four people.
- Island with integrated hob - the hob is set into the island worktop, freeing the back wall for full-height storage or a window. Requires downdraft or ceiling extraction.
- Island with integrated sink - a prep sink or full-size sink built into the island. Particularly useful in open-plan kitchens where you want to face the room while working.
- Island with wine fridge or appliance storage - an undercounter wine cooler, microwave drawer or secondary dishwasher built into the island body.
Breakfast Bar Dimensions and Seating
Getting the dimensions right is essential for a breakfast bar that actually gets used. These are the key measurements we work to:
- Worktop height at 900mm - standard kitchen height, used with counter-height stools (around 650mm seat height).
- Raised bar at 1050mm to 1100mm - a stepped-up section at the back of the island, used with taller bar stools (around 750mm seat height). Hides the working side of the island from the dining area.
- Overhang depth of 250mm to 300mm - enough knee room for comfortable seating without the worktop feeling precarious.
- Width per seat of 600mm - the minimum comfortable space per person. We recommend 700mm where the room allows.
Frequently Asked Questions
You need a minimum of 1 metre of clear space around all sides of the island for comfortable movement. For an island with seating, allow 1.2 metres on the seating side so chairs can be pulled out without blocking a walkway. We measure your kitchen during the design visit and advise on the maximum island size your room can accommodate comfortably.
It depends on the layout. Some small kitchens can accommodate a compact island or a slim peninsula that is open on three sides. Others are better served by a mobile butcher's block that can be moved when not needed. We will assess your kitchen during the design visit and give you an honest answer.
Yes. We can design and build a standalone island to complement your existing kitchen. We match door styles, paint colours and worktop materials as closely as possible. Many customers choose a contrasting colour for the island to make it a deliberate feature - this avoids the difficulty of achieving a perfect colour match with aged cabinetry.