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!

@TheLightSideOfTheMoon

No, they're hideous. Ruin the flow of a room and they always look a bit 'plonked'.

My friend has a massive one and I feel like I'm about to play table tennis whenever I'm standing near one.

So true!

Agree you should only have one if you have space for a table too. They’re not an alternative surely?

They really only work in a big Mumsnet kitchen tbh. The size of some of these extended kitchens they’d look ridiculous without something in there to fill up the space between the rows of cabinets on each wall!

I have a small kitchen and a small island and I love it. We have backs on our stools so no danger, and a proper dining room for when we want to sit longer. I love to eat breakfast at the island,and it is great to lay out food or drinks when you have a big crowd.

I do fancy the dark blue wood and hate all the oak, so might be time to transform. This was here when we bought the house, not my taste but too good quality to ditch!

it's interesting that lots of people here think an island would have to replace a kitchen table.

I've never seen that in IR, everyone I know has a separate or open plan dining room (with or without living room)

the space we have allows us to push tables together to form either a square (on photo) or a long, thin rectangle.
we have even used them as separate tables with a third added for parties.

DH & younger kids do use the breakfast bar end to have breakfast & snacks, but generally we eat at the table.

the island is invaluable, not clunky nor does it break the flow.
there's 1.4m distance between the long worktop and the island so there's plenty of space and no bumping into anything!
As I said I love our kitchen and I'm fortunate that I could design it how I wanted. it's perfect for us.

btw I'm not even apologising for mess, I don't do catalogue living🤣

They are great if they make design sense and fill a practical purpose rather than just put their becuase someone wants an island. I love mine becuase it gives me a great view of the garden when I am cooking and provides a lot more storage than a table would. It also means that I don't need to walk far between the fridge, larder, prep area and ovens. It is the overall design that matters not whether you have an island or not. We don't eat at it as we have seperate tables inside and outside to eat.

I would love to see some photos of how people with cental tables in their kitchens use the space. It only seems to be those with islands who have been brave enough to post

I hate spotlights too. Islands. Gloss this and that. Steam woks. Microwaves grin I am either a Luddite or just someone with old fashioned taste

All of this!

I would love to see some photos of how people with cental tables in their kitchens use the space. It only seems to be those with islands who have been brave enough to post

I don't want to post a picture of my house which will instantly identify me to anyone who knows me IRL. Maybe those with tables have more common sense than those with islands?!

But I will draw a diagram if you like!

I hate do hate breakfast bars which I know not all islands are but it almost positions mum as bar staff serving the family which I think is an odd dynamic.

I hate kitchen islands, they're just about bearable if they're on casters so they can be moved but most seem to be fixed.

My taste is very traditional, I'd love a butler's sink and a Welsh dresser next to a nice table in the centre of the kitchen where I can sit comfortably with a cup of tea, with one of my lovely tablecloths, of course.

I think my objection to islands is associated with an aversion to open plan design, where an island takes the place of cabinets and worktop space that would originally have required a wall.

Hate them! I much prefer a large table which can be moved, if necessary. Islands are a nightmare at a party where people gather in the kitchen. You feel you're in a one way system and have to fight your way round to talk to someone on the other side!

I hate them but unfortunately I've been convinced we need one (for a hob or sink and storage - we are going to limit the seating area). I find having multiple seating areas (stools/ dining table/ outdoor table) so close to each other odd.

I have an island that has a breakfast bar on one side. and I love it. my island has the sink in it and the breakfast bar is higher up so you can't see the sink from the other side. I have a big kitchen dinner with a dining table over the other side. we eat our breakfast and lunch at the breakfast bar and dinner at the dining table and if people over we sit at dining room. if an island suits the design and the room then they are fab. they don't work when you can squeezed in one without any thought to it. also I have an ensuite and would never be without one. and no I don't hear himself going to the toilet when am sleeping in. if you can you need to talk to your builder and get your walls properly insulated. in my next house my only counter space will be my island. I will have floor to ceiling presses on one wall and an island that's it. but I have the room and it will be done the way i want it. everyone should decorate their kitchen they way they want but islands if done well can work very well in a functioning kitchen. in my kitchen there will be no Belfast sink or big American style fridge freezer or wine cooler loads have buts that's my taste.

Surely it depends on the kitchen.

We have a 20ft x 20ft kitchen with an island, it works well as otherwise we'd have tonnes of empty space surrounded by cupboard.

Kitchen table is at the other side of the room. Dining room next door.

Our island is great, but we don't use it as a kitchen on a breakfast bar, it's simply for food prep and has a second sink.

You’re not the only one. I’d rather have a nice big kitchen table any day.

We had to have an island because of layout of kitchen……large fireplace, staircase and large windows take up a lot of wall space. I love it. We also have a dining table.

@Indecisiveragazza your kitchen is beautiful!!

Some people here think it's Island OR large table. In most cases and in my previous house, it's both because the space is large.

I'm really stuck on Islands actually. We've just built a large wrap around extension that has a temporary kitchen in at the moment.

The kitchen is in the corner of the new space and the plan was to have a long, narrow island with overhang along the middle to make up extra storage space etc. I've put the plan up, proposed area of island is in purple. It's been carefully measured to avoid a pinch point on the corner. But at the moment it is quite nice having a big open space...we do need more drawers etc though! Am I missing something obvious?! We have a large dining table in blue, and a lounge area at the other end.

They mostly don’t work if the room is too small. As others have said, they are great in a big room that has a dining table as well.

Hi @SuperMonkeys
As is, I'd find the lack of work space difficult, i.e. not many counters. It also has the feel of a corridor without a focal point - it's a big space and you have a dining area elaewhwre. A long Island will help in my view.
If you don't like islands, you could have a large butchers block on wheels. But it can't be plumbing in or house the hob etc.

I would love one but only if my kitchen was big enough to have a table and chairs in addition.

We have an island that you don't sit at but it provides very useful workspace and storage. It isn't fixed either, so we could move it if we wanted the hassle - heavy enough not to move on its own. Plenty of space around it and for a separate big table and a sideboard without the room being cluttered.

I can’t stand them either,we have moved recently, some of the properties we saw had islands that made the kitchens seem small, just totally unsuitable. We brought a property with a lovely kitchen breakfast room, so we have a big kitchen and a lovely dining table. I really think islands are going to date, no idea why they are so popular.

@Roselilly36

I can’t stand them either,we have moved recently, some of the properties we saw had islands that made the kitchens seem small, just totally unsuitable. We brought a property with a lovely kitchen breakfast room, so we have a big kitchen and a lovely dining table. I really think islands are going to date, no idea why they are so popular.

I think they are going to date too - just like everything does.

Nope. I HATE them. If I bought a house with an island it would be coming straight out. First job.

I love mine. We have the hob on it so can cook facing the room. But as pp have said it's a big space with plenty of room for kitchen table, sofas etc as well. Would definitely not want one instead of a table.