What’s the Best Kitchen Island Distance From the Counter?

Adding an island to your kitchen is a dream for many homeowners. One of the first steps is to determine what size kitchen island will fit in your space by choosing the correct kitchen island distance from the counters.

The recommended distance is 42 to 48 inches between the kitchen island and countertops, with exceptions for unique layouts and additional accessibility space. Our guide will cover the recommendations for a comfortable and stylish kitchen island layout.

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Kitchen Island Distance Recommendations

The National Kitchen and Bath Association issued guidelines for the proper distance between a kitchen island and the counters, walkways, seating, and appliances. These guidelines are not building code enforced but considered best practices when designing your new kitchen or adding an island. Below are the recommendations for kitchen island distances:

Kitchen Island to Counters

When drawing up your kitchen island ideas, you’ll need to plan for the proper distance from the kitchen island to the counters. The recommendation is for a minimum of 42 inches and a maximum of up to 48 inches for kitchens with multiple cooks. However, you need to consider distance when deciding what types of kitchen islands might work in your space, such as freestanding, L-shaped, or U-shaped.

Walkways

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Kitchen walkways are the areas around the kitchen island—essentially, these are the areas homeowners pass through. The recommendation is for walkways to be a minimum of 36 inches without a lot of traffic or a minimum of 42 inches in homes with busy work areas so there is plenty of space to move around freely, especially with open oven or refrigerator doors.

Kitchen Island to Appliances

When designing your kitchen island, you’ll need to consider the triangle method. This design concept includes three primary workspaces: the refrigerator, the sink, and the stove. The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends creating a triangle shape to achieve the correct distance between each workspace, making it easy for homeowners to travel between each zone effortlessly. If the triangle layout is too close together or too far apart, it will be ineffective. The triangle work area measurements include:

• The sum of the three distances of the triangle should be 26 feet maximum.

• No individual leg or side of the triangle should measure less than 4 feet or more than 9 feet.

Breakfast Bar Seating

Breakfast bars need to be at least 40 inches wide with at least 15 inches of overhang. This type seating allows for more flexibility and functionality at your kitchen island. You’ll need at least 32 inches of space from the chair back to the wall or the counter. Most larger kitchens allow up to 42 inches of space, so there is plenty of room for foot traffic and comfortable dining. For wheelchair accessibility, you’ll need at least 60 inches of space.

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Adding a Sink or Dishwasher to the Kitchen Island

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On average, you can expect your kitchen island cost to run between $3,000 and $5,000. If you want to add special features like a sink, dishwasher, or cooktop, you can expect to pay more for the built-in electricity and running water costs. You’ll also need to hire a local kitchen remodeler to fit a custom countertop around your sink or cooktop.

In addition, you’ll need to consider the distance factor if you’re adding a sink or dishwasher. Here are the National Kitchen and Bath Association guidelines for distances between sinks and dishwashers:

• The dishwasher and sink should be no further than 36 inches apart.

• You’ll need at least 21 inches of standing space between the dishwasher and adjacent cabinets. This way, the dishwasher door can open without hitting any open cabinet handles.

Are Kitchen Island Distance Recommendations Worth the Cost?

Yes, kitchen island distance recommendations are worth it. Hiring a kitchen remodeling pro that adheres to the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s advice is essential to ensure the proper functionality of your kitchen.

Whether you’re paying for the cost of a kitchen remodel, which ranges from $14,600 to $40,600, or building your own kitchen island, following kitchen island distance recommendations is worth both your time and the added cost. Otherwise, you might open up your dishwasher directly into your kitchen island or leave too little space around your bar stools for anyone to freely walk around the island.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens