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!

Hate them. I've never seen one I ever liked.

No...I don't like them...don't get me started on breakfast bars. I mean anyone can do what they like in their own home but I like an open space personally.

Not my cup of tea, although my daughter has one in her kitchen and it works really well. I like a big table and chairs and a squashy sofa if room

I do like a sofa in a kitchen if there's space. Just adds cosiness.

My DH is in his 70s and I'm mid 60s and we sit at the island all the time and don't topple backwards, but could after the second bottle maybe

Islands seen to be quite aspirational at the moment

I'm a trendsetter then 'cos I've had mine about 15 years!

Oh I’m sure they’ve been around for eons but now everyone wants them…whether they can fit one or not

Love ours and love them in big kitchen. Put stools are like massive dining room chairs, heavily padded snd wirh high backs. They make the kitchen look much more cohesive. But in a smaller kitchen with small stools I’m not such a fan.

Everyone saying “I prefer a table” - surely you have both? I’ve never seen a kitchen with an island that doesn’t also have a big table too.

With the big Windows or patio / bifold doors and knocked through to the dining room there’s just not enough wall space for counters or cabinets without one.

@LittleOverWhelmed

Just had kitchen done. Got an island now, love it. Big kitchen - so will have a large table in the dining area part. Kitchen area is very light and sociable. Spacious, but convenient.

Had a peninsula a couple of kitchens back (different house) when DS was tiny. I suppose it worked then, but the island works much better in this kitchen.

Kitchens are very personal - just designing what works for you.

Gorgeous kitchen.

I love my island. We didn't even discuss whether we would have one when we did our kitchen, it was a foregone conclusion. We did an extension and it fills the space exactly as we imagined. I always loved the kitchen island in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air , the whole family used to congregate around it. It's exactly what we do now and it's fab. We have a table and seating too for more people, so all occasions covered.

This clearly demonstrates how diverse people are.

I like a kitchen island and waited for years to get one. I don’t have a huge kitchen and the island is big (so many of you would hate it and judge me but you lot can sod off, it makes me happy). It has the hob on it and it gives me lots more workspace and I absolutely love it. It makes me happy every time I see it.

I’ve found my people!

I hate them, but I quite like a peninsula. I don’t know if that’s really inconsistent of me

Don't like them. We're buying a house with an island in the kitchen and it's one of the first things that's going to GO (along with the ugly plastic conservatory, another pet hate).

Big kitchen table, every time. Might get a butcher's block on wheels too though...

maud I’ve removed a conservatory and and ensuite but not yet had to with an island (I would). Good luck.

I don't like them either. We have a huge kitchen table instead. I don't think I would mind one which could be moved but the fixed ones just take over the whole room.

I absolutely hate them. Will definitely not get one when we redo our kitchen.

Everyone saying “I prefer a table” - surely you have both? confused I’ve never seen a kitchen with an island that doesn’t also have a big table too

The trouble is when I go round to friends’ houses with islands, they always expect us to perch on their bar stools at their island while we have a cuppa, and not sit much more comfortably at the table next to it. That’s what I mean when I say I prefer a table.

It reminds me of when people used to have the best china displayed on a dresser, but you were given less nice stuff to actually use. I sometimes say “Shall we sit at your table?” and they start fussing around with coasters and I get the impression the table is only for special occasions, and I’ve committed a faux pas by not perching.

I do know people with huge islands and no table in their kitchen though. They just have a separate dining room.

@HeronLanyon - if we had an ensuite I'd be removing that too

Gosh... who doesn't like an ensuite?

I would have a table instead of an island, not both.

I don't like them or see the point in them. Ditto breakfast bars. If the room is big enough to take that, it can have a proper table and chairs. And both is just pointless. I wouldn't sit on a stool when there's a chair and table available, and quite possibly a sofa as well!

Gosh... who doesn't like an ensuite

There is no way on this earth that DH is using the toilet essentially in our bedroom and he's a noisy inconsiderate souls anyway. If he had a bathroom to mess around in while I was trying to sleep he's be under the patio by now.

I don’t understand the perching comment. As said I have bar stools with high backs and heavily padded, they are heavy, massive and much bigger than your average dining chair and very comfortable, only one friend raises the height, I keep them on the lowest setting. No one “perches” on them, if it’s just you don’t like bar stools that’s easily fixable.

I think they’re great as extra prep space with proper storage underneath, but would always want a proper dining table too. I hate breakfast bars and bar stools. We have a U shaped kitchen and there is storage all the way round, no breakfast bar because the room is also big enough for a dining table.