Am I the only person who doesn’t like kitchen islands?

[VenusClapTrap]

Currently in the middle of redoing our kitchen. Quite a major job involving taking walls out and so on. The kitchen will be quite big. Everyone and his dog is asking “Ooh, are you having an island?” and then reacting with surprise when I say no.

Am I THAT odd not to want an island? I don’t hate them in other people’s houses, I just don’t want one in mine. I prefer to sit on normal chairs round a normal table, than perch on a bar stool at something that doubles as a kitchen work surface. And I like rooms to feel spacious - I find islands get in the way, as you end up having to walk round them all the time.

Anyway. Just wondering if I’m alone!

I like kitchen islands. After years of kitchens with minimal counter space I absolutely love being able to prep food without playing Jenga.

When we were house hunting I saw a massive kitchen extension without an island and it looked a bit weird. There was a good 5 or 6 metres from the cupboards with a work top on one side of the room and the fridge and tall cupboards on the other side. It wasn't space left for a table, there was a separate dining area in the same room.

I dont hate them, but I think you have to have an enormous kitchen to make them work.

We looked at a house recently that had one, but the room was too small so it felt like you had to shuffle around it.

I don't like the idea of them- they can look lovely but I personally prefer an open space. Even if we had a massive kitchen, I still wouldn't want an island.

We have a huge kitchen 10m7m and a huge Island 3m1.5 with a hob and a sink on it - I like it because I cook facing the room rather than a wall. We have a table to eat at but the island is a sociable space for chats whilst cooking - we very rarely sit at it to eat unless we are eating alone. Loads of people hate them though - so you are definitely not alone - but I built my kitchen to live in, enjoy and use, not to sell and I love the space, light and ease of use. It's my favourite room and we spend most of our time in it.

Not keen personally and I'm looking at a G shaped kitchen with peninsula for my new extension. I think they have been very popular for a long time now and will date the kitchen. Though if you love them, have what you like 👍

I love love love mine. Kitchen's been done 12 years and still love it. BUT I have a big kitchen so loads of room around it, and at the end of the kitchen have large extendable table and chairs too, if we prefer that at any time.

I would find it hard to move and not have one to be honest. It's great when friends are round for casual dining (it can seat six), I've had the best nights with us all sat round it

I like them as otherwise, in big kitchens, everything looks pushed to the edges. Also, I prefer preparing food facing the dining table rather than my back to it.

Personal choice I think. I love ours but we have quite a big kitchen.

We have an island but don’t use it for sitting (although it has stools). It acts as more work surface which we wouldn’t be able to have - because we have wall to wall sliding doors - without the island and lack of walls, we would have a small impractical kitchen area.

I'd love one, as I need more prep space.

Didn't even realise people tried to eat at them. That sounds a bit random.

I might just buy a big butcher block thingy and test the concept.

Not all islands have seating. I find it weird that anyone would proclaim all island units as 'hideous'. That is like saying 'all tall cabinets are hideous' or 'all upholstered chairs are hideous'. It's a stupid statement as it clearly depends on the style and room layout.
i.pinimg.com/564x/5b/23/17/5b2317980db9b4e1e96c9c2aefaf1055.jpg

No, I don't like them either. I'd much rather have empty space to move around in.

[quote honeybuns007]Not all islands have seating. I find it weird that anyone would proclaim all island units as 'hideous'. That is like saying 'all tall cabinets are hideous' or 'all upholstered chairs are hideous'. It's a stupid statement as it clearly depends on the style and room layout.
i.pinimg.com/564x/5b/23/17/5b2317980db9b4e1e96c9c2aefaf1055.jpg[/quote]
Although that is a hideous extractor!

Can't stand them either. They are always too big for the space and just something you have to walk around. So so naff

You are not alone..
It takes up valuable disco dancing space.

DH doesn't like them, because he says they become a "dumping ground". Mind you, he said the same when we had a breakfast bar. If we didn't have either he'd probably say it about the kitchen table . He is, of course, perfectly at liberty to sort the stuff dumped & move it to more apposite locations, but chooses not to .

I dislike them. Also currently having work done and everyone assumes we are getting an island. That's a "hell no" from me. It is basically just a roundabout in the kitchen which I don't need in my life.

It depends on the kitchen. We have a peninsula. Due to the layout of the kitchen without it there'd be barely any worktop and 6 less drawers. I wouldn't put one in for the sake of it.

CBARN that whole kitchen is hideous imo 🤦🏽‍♀️😂

I love ours but we designed the kitchen so it would fit in the space. It would seem like a waste of space to have nothing there instead, and I wouldn’t want to be hemmed in by a peninsula. We have a table too, the island is mainly valuable counter space. We keep ours clear after use. It’s easier to wipe down as the crumbs don’t sink into a crevice at the back of the worktop. It’s a dream to cook in the kitchen and I LOVE the pictures above. I have only heard of island hatred on Mumsnet, but in some kitchens they wouldn’t be appropriate. I don’t particularly like range cookers but they look nice in others’ kitchens so wouldn’t diss them.

I totally agree. They are not my thing. I also loath breakfast bars. A well-planned kitchen doesn't need an island for either seating or workspace IMO.

I'm happy people like their own islands, but I haven't seen a picture of one yet (or one in RL) that made me go 'oh yes, I see the point'.

Generally not a fan. But your kitchen is gorgeous @LittleOverWhelmed

LOATHE, sorry, random missing E