Minimum width of island?

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

We're planning our kitchen after our extension and after clearance round worktops and appliances the maximum width of island we could have is 80cm (not quite sure of the exact length yet as not got the dimensions with me).

Is an 80cm wide island too narrow? Would it look silly? It's only for extra work space and storage underneath - wouldn't have seats at it or hob on it.

I think it would be fine. What's the depth of a standard unit? Isn't it about 60cm? in which case you've got plenty of space to have normal kitchen units under it and still a bit of overhang of your worktop or something.

I've seen a few pictures of kitchens with really really skinny islands - like 50cm or under - they look quite good in some ways but they do highlight the lack of space. however I think yours sounds big enough not to have that problem.

Thanks, mini pie. Our builders reckon it will be fine, Howdens designer said it would be tight but doable for a small island (she didn't say the width but I'm assuming 80cm is classed as small), and the Magnet guy was muttering about it maybe being too small and a peninsular layout may work better.

I don't know how much space you have around it? Ideally you want a 90cm gap I think each side to be able to move around comfortably (I may have made that up though!). Remember you need to leave space for opening cupboard doors, dishwashers etc

I think the size of the island is fine but whether you can/should have it in the space depends on the room size!

It'll be fine. 90cm is pretty common. You'll just have a 20cm overhang for stools instead of 30 cm (if you want stools).

Ah poo, I thought you were going to buy an actual island

We don't have an island, but more of a peninsula IYKWIM in that it attaches to one end of our L-shaped kitchen. It avoid the 'walking around the island all the time' problem that some island owners complain about as it makes the kitchen G-shaped.
You dimensions sound doable though.

Pacific, afraid not!

There's 90mm on one side of it (faces hob) and 100mm the other side which faces the eye level oven. I tested it out in my mum's kitchen - opened her oven door and stuck my arse out a bit while she placed a bar stool 100mm back to see how much arse space is best. I'm not sure I should tell the kitchen designer about my measuring methods.

Whoops, I mean cm of course, not mm)

Anyway..... Glad you all agreed it is doable. Magnet designer didn't seem to think it was a good idea but I am convinced it is and even more so now I've posted here!

Thanks, I will post a pic when it's all finished!

I think 900mm clearance facing the hob side is a bit tight. Can you up it to 1m?

www.houseplanshelper.com/kitchen-dimensions.html has some good info on minimum widths etc.

I used to have a galley kitchen with 120cm between each side and I'd say that felt about right- but was awkward if anyone wanted past me whilst cooking.