Beloved for their style and function, there’s no denying that kitchen islands have become an increasingly popular addition to our homes. If you’re sizing up your own home for a kitchen island, one of the first questions you’ll have to answer is: how will they really work in your space? To make the decision easier for you, our own kitchen design experts have summed up some of the key design considerations below!
Kitchen islands are a unit in the centre of a kitchen. You can use it as extra storage, as a way of dividing a kitchen and dining room, or as a breakfast bar. Some people also install a hob or sink in their kitchen island. It all comes down to what you need from the space.
The important thing is that your island fulfils a specific requirement you have for your kitchen. If you need more space to cook, it can become a platform for new magnetic induction hobs, or a Quooker tap. If you need more space for storage, on the other hand, it can house some useful storage solutions like extra drawers or cupboards, so that your other kitchen cupboards become less overcrowded. Unless your kitchen island fulfils a specific requirement, in a family home it can all too easily just become an extra surface that becomes cluttered with everyday household “stuff” – paperwork, letters, that sort of thing. (Happily, that’s exactly where our talented kitchen designers can come in; helping you work out exactly what you need from the space!)
Our designers can accommodate kitchen islands in many different kitchen configurations, even relatively small and narrow spaces. That said, if your kitchen is exceptionally small and/or narrow, you might want to consider some alternatives. For example, you’ll need to make sure there’s enough room to open base floor-level cupboard doors next to the island. It can be a real headache otherwise! By the same token, a dishwasher door needs a fair amount of clearance.
Even if you don’t quite have the space, though, you’re not out of options! If you don’t have the room for a full kitchen island, you may want to consider whether a kitchen peninsula might work instead. Rather than sitting in the middle of a kitchen, a peninsula sits to one side, typically at the end of a run of cupboards. It provides a nice little seating area, as well as extra storage. In other words, many of the same functions as an island!
Apart from beautiful design, functionality is one of the core aspects you’ll want to focus on when designing your kitchen. Make your kitchen island work that bit harder! As we touched on above, you can install a sink or hob, or fit retractable power outlets. Make sure you have access to key elements of your kitchen from the island so that it can be used as a baking/food prep area.
With some careful thought during the design process, a kitchen island will become a real asset to your kitchen. Here at Kitchen Design Centre, our own designers have years of experience in designing kitchen islands to fit each one of our customers’ individual needs. You can find out more about them by checking out some of our customer kitchens, or by dropping in for a chat at any one of our designer kitchen showrooms!
A STUNNING CLASSICAL KITCHEN FOR A LUXURY APARTMENT
When Karen and Peter downsized from their farm, they opted for a luxurious apartment in a historic hall in Holmfirth, Yorkshire. For their dream kitchen, they turned to Lauren Couperthwaite at Kitchen Design Centre, Housing Units, Failsworth.
Initially considering a local bespoke kitchen company, Karen found they couldn’t match the extensive product range and expert design skills of Kitchen Design Centre.
The brief was to celebrate the apartment’s grand architectural features—high ceilings, natural light, and intricate coving—while crafting a kitchen that blended seamlessly with the home’s traditional aesthetic. Lauren’s choice of a pale sage green ash-effect eucalyptus finish brought timeless charm, perfectly paired with classic handles.
ARE YOU READY TO MAKE YOUR DREAM KITCHEN A REALITY?
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This year, the kitchen will take on even more significance in home design. It’s now more than just a place for meals; it’s a space that reflects your tastes and individuality, much like your living room, and so it deserves the same forethought and planning. With bespoke kitchens on the rise in 2025, we’ve found that lots of customers are moving away from generic designs and one-size-fits-all solutions in favour of kitchens that cater to their unique needs, personalities, and lifestyles.
Whether you’re designing a space for a large family, a multifunctional area to work and eat, or simply a stylish place to enjoy your meals, a bespoke kitchen offers the perfect blend of style and function, so that your dream kitchen is everything you need it to be and more.
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The clock is ticking on these exclusive offers – so don’t wait too long!
We’ve got some brilliant offers in store for you this year, so you can take your pick of ways to transform your kitchen for the New Year. You can Buy Now, Pay 2026 for your dream kitchen, so our designers can get started sooner on making your vision a reality! What’s more, you can claim up to £1,750 cashback with a range of further selected Neff appliances.
Our Winter Sale also gives you a chance to get your hands on our incredible ex-display kitchens, each one of which has a long history of wowing people in our showrooms, and now available at truly unbeatable prices.
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Another busy day yesterday for Simon at our Barrowford showroom. Starting off with a photo shoot - here’s a sneak peek! How cute was the company too. Their cat was helping Mark out get the shots right.
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