34 Small Kitchen Island Ideas

Just because you have a small kitchen doesn't mean you have to skimp on prep or dining space. A kitchen island suited to a small kitchen layout is the perfect space-saving solution.

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By: Felicia Feaster

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Photo By: John Gillooly/PEI; Design By: Liz Miller, E.R. Miller Interiors and Furnishings

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Try a Freestanding Island

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.

Tiny House with Hyper-Functional Island

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

From: Tomecek Studio Architecture

Laid Back Coastal Style

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

From: Terracotta Design Build

Kitchen Island on Wheels

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.

Watch the Video: How to Build a DIY Kitchen Island

Harmony in White

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

Expandable Kitchen Island

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

A Hide-and-Go-Seek Island

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.

From: Urbane Design

Slim Profile

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.

From: Susannah Watts

Small But Mighty

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.

From: Sara Hillery Interior Design

Tiny Vintage Home

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

Country Kitchen Details

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.

Sea Foam Green Island

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.

From: Mark Williams

Extended Kitchen Island

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.

Beach Cottage Kitchen

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.

From: DiMauro Architects, Inc.

Blue-Gray Island Adds Dash of Color

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.

From: Lindye Galloway

Stainless Steel Island

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.

When Walls Come Down, an Island Provides Definition

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.

Hyper-Functional Island

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.

From: Christen Ales

Make Your Island Into a Statement Piece

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.

From: Becky Shea Design

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen

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.

From: Lisa Furey

Coordination Helps

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

From: Loczi Design

Basic Wood Island

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

From: McGuire Real Estate

Restaurant-Style Stainless 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.

From: Gen Sohr

Tiny Eclectic Kitchen

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

From: Kim Lewis Designs

Blue Kitchen Trend

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.

From: Jennifer Mehditash

Opt for Store Bought

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

From: Kinlin Grover Real Estate and Luxury Portfolio International®

Very Compact Island

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

From: Noble Johnson Architects, LLC

Small Design Touches Make the Difference

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.

From: Terracotta Design Build

Stylish Kitchen in Grand Guest Home

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.

From: Harvey Kalles Real Estate and Luxury Portfolio International®

Small Kitchen With Space-Saving Wheeled Cart

In a compact kitchen, a narrow, wheeled cart can be a space-savvy alternative to a traditional built-in island. “This custom-made walnut and stainless steel kitchen island was designed to save space and provide flexibility in the kitchen,” say designers Roy and Jen Leone. “The countertop is character-grade walnut butcher block ordered online, while the stainless steel base was fabricated by a local shop in Brooklyn. The island design allows stools to tuck under and out of the way when not in use or during a party. Also, the entire island can be rolled and then locked into place with locking casters.”

Island? Or Table?

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.

From: Natalie Myers

Island With Wine Refrigerator

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

From: Bender & Associates

Guest House Kitchen

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

From: Butter Lutz Interiors

Complementary Butcher Block Table

This small butcher block provides a nice little extra space to accompany the existing kitchen island.

From: Ashley Gilbreath