Considering adding an island to your kitchen and you asked your self can you put an island in a 12×12 kitchen? Fitting an island in a small kitchen can be a challenge but totally possible just follow this checklist to get some amazing results. Islands are a universal feature that should be included in most kitchen layouts to help your home function better.
First you must make sure that you are aware of the these minor requirements and what kind of results to expect. So please read along and I am sure most of your concerns will be answered in the most reasonable manner.
This guide will also help you determine what shape kitchen is the best as we explore the most common kitchen layouts.
Check list if you can put an island in a 12×12 kitchen
Your Layout: A good way to start this design is to take your current kitchen layout in consideration. This will help determine the size of your kitchen island. Take note of the following kitchen styles and try to match the one that fits your situation best.
1. Single Kitchen Layout:
This kitchen type would be the best style when it comes to having plenty of extra space. This means that all your kitchen Cabinets are located on only one side of your kitchen wall which leaves you with a wide open area on your kitchen floor at least 10×12 feet of free space.
Maximum Island Size
Your island size on this case can be 4×4 sq. feet wide. Having a 4×4 sq. feet island will give you 4 feet of clearance on each side of the island which is plenty for any wheelchair or inspection code to be passed in case of selling of your home in the future. This is basically like having another whole kitchen dining table that you could you use for your daily activities and even lunch times.
Now you can go bigger on your island considering that perhaps you do not have a wall in the way. If you have only one wall running perpendicular to the wall of cabinets then you could install a 4×8 sq. feet island technically speaking because you will still have another entry point from your wall-free side.
2. Galley Kitchen Layout:
The galley kitchen layout is a very functional style because it gives you quick accessibility to all your kitchen needs in a sway of your hips from side to side. They call it the kitchen Triangle Rule because your main appliances should spaced on a 3 point system.
What does this mean for a kitchen island. Well this case shows that you will have a total free space of 8×12 sq. ft. running across your kitchen. Is this enough square footage?
Let’s do the math!
Maximum Island Size
If all your walls are enclosed around your kitchen then this will mean that you can fit a small island in the center of that space of about 2×4 sq. feet wide. This will give you a clearance of 36 inches from front and back of island to your kitchen cabinets, and a total of 48 inches of clearance from wall to island on both sides.
What if you have an open kitchen on one side. Now you can extend your kitchen island from a 2×4 sq. ft. all the way to a 2×8 feet wide kitchen island. More than likely for a countertop this small for an island this slim shape you will have better luck just making this a free standing countertop instead of cabinets. They will be legs with an opening on side to slide in some bar stools for extra comfort. Underneath the countertop so the support legs are not just plainly exposed you can add a panel or wood finish style that matches your kitchen for quick and easy adaptation.
3. L- Shaped Kitchen Layout:
This kitchen layout can be very beneficial when wanting to add a kitchen island because this means that you should have plenty of a free space on the opposite corner of your kitchen.
Maximum Island Size
This means you have an available space of 10×10 feet wide so theoretically speaking you can add an island of at least 4×4 sq. feet wide countertop on your island. You could go smaller to a 2×4 if you want extra seating space around your island.
Do you have an open kitchen? If so this means you just got lucky, because this means you have no walls blocking your kitchen from the rest of your home layout. You could put add an extended kitchen island of maximum 4×7 sq. ft.
4. U-Shaped Kitchen Layout:
The traditional closed in U shaped kitchen layout can be a challenge to add an island when so much of your surface area is already covered in cabinets and appliances. this means you can try to get creative on how you use your space and maybe consider adapting to modern cabinet technology like corner cabinets and a tall pantry design.
Maximum Island Size
With a shape like this in your kitchen you are going to be very limited in wiggle room around your potential island. This layout will give you a free space of 10×8 sq. ft. so what you could fit in this area with out compromising walking space is about a maximum countertop space of 2×8 sq. ft. and that will be a tight clearance of about 36 inches all the way around so we would recommend going with a 2×6 sq. ft. so you can have 4 feet of clearance on one side to allow multiple people to be moving around the kitchen at once.
5. Peninsula Shaped Kitchen Layout:
A Peninsula is a great kitchen shape to have in a 12×12 sq. ft. wide kitchen. This means you have options. Now the general idea when adding a kitchen island you should consider placing a small center piece island if you want this to be a low budget solution.
Maximum Island Size
A large kitchen island can be installed in a 12×12 sq. ft. kitchen if you consider this alternative. If you have a peninsula style kitchen then this means that you have an open sided kitchen with no walls interfering with the layout.
The best solution that most home remodelers use in this design is to remove the peninsula from the equation. You can cut and refinish the cabinets and countertop along side your kitchen wall so this just turned your kitchen into an L shaped kitchen which will also give you the same benefits as that design. So your peninsula will turn into an island that you can actually walk around in a 360 degree entry point so that foot traffic will not be blocked in any direction.
Take Away
We hope you found a solution for your kitchen island in the demonstrations above. There is always an opportunity to improve a kitchen with adding a kitchen island if you just get a little creative and find out what works for you.
The new modern entertainment center of our homes has evolved into the kitchen as we spend less time in the living room and our bedrooms, now a day with all the technology at hand we are always distracted by our devices. The best time of day when all families and friends come together is to enjoy each others company is when its time to have a bite.
If you were inspired to go about your kitchen update please let us know how it goes and what you were able to accomplish. Do you want to see an instructional video on how to install a kitchen island. Check out our channel here to find some great DIY tutorials .
Cheers!
