34 Small Kitchen Island Ideas

A center island is number one on many kitchen renovators’ wishlists, but a large, built-in island doesn’t always fit the budget or the space. No matter, freestanding islands perform the same functions, adding counter prep space and storage, but usually require less floor space and cash — as designer Liz Miller found in her own home. “The freestanding island was a must in a small kitchen with two little kids. When we need more space to, say, have an impromptu dance party, or when we have friends over, we just push the island against the side wall to open up the room,” she says.

In this tiny home kitchen, the open living/kitchen areas are separated with a compact island that also serves as a dining space.

A rustic wooden table that can be used for both dining and food prep is the ideal set up in this beachy kitchen.

Need some extra workspace in your kitchen? This rolling island offers added functionality and style. One side stores a stand mixer, sheet pans, cutting boards and more, while the other side allows for extra seating. Perfect for small spaces, this portable kitchen island easily rolls out when you need it and neatly tucks away when you don’t.

By blending this small kitchen island with the overall cottage feel of the rest of the room, the space feels open and roomy.

This movable kitchen island has leaves so that it can be expanded when extra work space is needed.

Because this kitchen doesn't have a lot of extra floor space to spare, a kitchen island on wheels is an ideal solution. When extra prep room is needed, it rolls out easily from its home beneath the countertop.

A slim profile kitchen island keeps things feeling open. The minty hue is an on-trend jolt of color that isn't overwhelming when relegated to just the island.

This kitchen isn't huge, but it has tons of personality and functionality. The base of the petite island is Eucalyptus wood, a nice break from the all-white cabinets elsewhere.

On HGTV's Fixer Upper, this small kitchen features a vintage refrigerator and an eat-in island.

Fixer Upper hosts Chip and Joanna Gaines turned this once disastrous room into a bright, clean kitchen with new cabinets, wood floors, Carrera marble countertops and light gray paint with white trim. Client Clint Harper added the finishing touches to the kitchen by making a beautiful island and vent hood out of reclaimed wood.

Silver bar stools and bold pendant lights add a modern element to this sea-foam green transitional kitchen where the coordinated island helps it blend into the design.

This custom kitchen island makes the kitchen look bigger and doubles the counter space, and it gives friends and family a special place to gather. The wooden table adds an interesting marriage of surfaces.

At less than 1,000 square feet, this tiny, open concept beach bungalow features a small but functional kitchen with an island whose drawers create additional storage space.

A blue-gray island and matching range hood add a fun dash of color to this white kitchen and show how a kitchen island can be a great accent piece in a small kitchen.

This kitchen island is topped with an oxidized, steel countertop. The material is a unique twist on the usual granite or marble found in most kitchens. The steel top will develop a patina over time. Its rough-hewn texture is also a pleasing contrast to the stainless steel refrigerator and brass elements in the kitchen.

Chip and Joanna Gaines completely transformed this kitchen by removing the wall to the dining room and creating a more open flow to the space. The kitchen island then serves a more important purpose as a divider between the cooking and living areas.

Bright green barstools draw the eye to the butcher-block-topped island in this kitchen which features open shelves for storage in addition to space for working and eating.

This modern kitchen contrasts hickory wood floors and exposed wood beams with amazing details like a marble-topped kitchen island that feels almost sculptural in this open concept space.

Saddle-style barstools provide additional seating at this kitchen island that also does a great job of separating the kitchen from the living space in this home.

A kitchen island that coordinates with the unique wood of the cabinets makes this kitchen feel harmonious and integrated.

This small kitchen maximizes storage by building cabinets that stretch all the way up to the ceiling and utilizing a simple, long wooden island.

This slender kitchen island with barstools provides additional functionality in the space with extra counter space and seating. Restaurant supply shops are great sources for stainless steel tables and shelving to maximize space in a small kitchen.

This tiny black and white kitchen is just 9 feet wide but gains some function with the addition of the green kitchen island.

Blue kitchens are all the rage but if an all-blue kitchen is too much of an aesthetic leap for you, try an island in a dramatic teal.

When a built-in or custom island isn't an option, a stainless steel-topped table does the trick.

A narrow rectangular island works perfectly in this small kitchen and living space.

This kitchen's subtle gray-and-white color palette gets a pop of gold from metal pendant lights hanging over the island/breakfast bar which help define the small kitchen space and give it attitude and presence.

The guest house of this Canadian waterfront property in Innisfil, Ontario, matches the interior design of the main home. Both kitchens feature oversized white quartzite islands that add drama, even in the small spaces.

Multifunctional to its core, this dining table placed in the center of the kitchen does double duty as a work station island when not in use for dining.

This clever kitchen island incorporates a wine refrigerator to better maximize space.

Counter height stools are positioned at the waterfall kitchen island, providing a convenient space for casual dining.