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!

The large open plan kitchens which are so popular now often would look sparse without an island

I think you need an island or at least a peninsula if you knock a full sized kitchen through to a full sized dining room. Otherwise you just have acres of useless empty floor space and nothing to separate the two areas.

If you have a big kitchen with a table in it (farmhouse style) that’s different and obvs works with the table in the middle.

Hi hate them too, we have a really big kitchen but I would still rather have a big table which can be moved.

@Missillusioned

No I don't like them either. They can't be moved like a kitchen table.

My uncle is a talented carpenter and when he rebuilt his kitchen, he put in a moveable island - it was on castors that could be immobilised if necessary with little brakes. It was pretty cool. They had a massive kitchen with a 6 seater kitchen table as well, though.

Clearly it depends on the room and layout. You can't just stick one in any old kitchen. If I was to have one I'd like it on wheels, and would have it only if I had room for a table and chairs as well.

Yes this wheels things sounds interesting. But then I was imagining the weight of it (only real benefit from my POV is storage for kitchen stuff) and damage to floor. I need to see one of these. Open minded hater here.

Islands don't work for kitchens that are in their own room which is most kitchens in UK. They work well when the dining room is in same room and there is sufficient space and even better in a great room where dining room, kitchen, and living room are in same open room.

I like mine.
I’m lucky because my kitchen is very big but it’s perfect.
Before I’d be standing cooking with my back to everyone else seated at the kitchen table. Now standing at the hob someone can sit and chat or share a glass of wine or we can all sit around while stuffs cooking
So much more sociable than the previous arrangement
I’ve got a dining room too though. If not I might prefer a kitchen table - I’m not sure I could eat at an island every meal

@Pagwatch!!!
how are you?

I design people's kitchens as part of my job and my heart sometimes sinks when they say they definitely want an island. They don't suit every space and I think people could often have better solutions but the concept has a loyal following.
I have a kitchen table instead which for me is much more flexible and fits the shape of the room better.

@Fauvist

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'.

Ours does. There was one short wall and because of the interior doors and 6m wide doors to the garden, there was no option but to put an island in.

We have a separate dining table, there’s plenty of space.

I think it depends on the kitchen. We had a big space which would have been very weird with nothing in it. We also have room for a big dining table on the other side of the room so the island isn't for sitting at. I don't particularly like only having the island to sit at as I'm wobbly on stools!

LittleOverWhelmed, where is your flooring from please and what colour is it? It's beautiful and just what I am looking for!

No, I wouldn’t have one.

They can be really lovely in a large space (prefer them to be without a hob or sink) but 'island plus three overhead pendant lights' is so ubiquitous in kitchen design at the moment that it's refreshing to see something different too. The high stools with the low backs can make me nervous. I keep imagining people tipping backwards.

Classica definitely agree! Kitchen designer here and I love it when someone doesn’t want a combo of grey and blue doors with a marbled countertop at the moment!! It was the same 5 years ago when everything was white handless slab door with a sparkly white countertop

No I'd have one if my kitchen was warehouse sized but I prefer to have a proper dining table (I grew up in a farmhouse kitchen) and I also like to dance about in the space with my DC without worrying about them getting severe head injuries from the worktop

@LazyDoll

Classica definitely agree! Kitchen designer here and I love it when someone doesn’t want a combo of grey and blue doors with a marbled countertop at the moment!! It was the same 5 years ago when everything was white handless slab door with a sparkly white countertop

Oooh what's your prediction for the next big trend in kitchens?

A greener palette is starting to creep in now although I think greys ands blue will be around a while longer (personally I love the combo although possibly prefer a putty to the grey as a more timeless look). The market is very split with modern Shaker style and the more industrial handleless rail which is fun to play around with different colourways and metallic accents in the rail. Definitely likely to date quicker though I love seeing all these kitchens on here though. And picking out some design flaws

Many modern kitchen/dining/living rooms look too big without one. It's hard to dill 8x8m with just cabinets.

I like them in large kitchens.

I'd rather have a large kitchen table - means it can be moved to just the right position, which an island can't be if it's been put even a couple of inches too close or too far away - and they're far easier to replace if you fancy rearranging/replacing the rest of the kitchen.

Islands work well in large spaces but needs a space for a proper table as well.

My friend had an idland in her too small kitchen and it took up the room. It was an expensive kitchen too and they had a naff little table jutting out so the family had to eat in a semi circle or carry food into her (lovely) dining room.

. My peninsula works for me. It's all my workspace, has pan and utensil drawers, and space for 3 seats, which is great as I like to talk to my friends as I cook for them.

Horses for courses!

I dont like them, I also prefer table and chairs that can be moved.

Islands seen to be quite aspirational at the moment. It’s hard to tell people who are dead set on having an island that their space isn’t large enough to comfortably have one. It seems to be a big wish list item - I’m greedy - I’d want an island and a table (and a sofa!)