The four kitchen island mistakes to avoid at all costs, according to interior designers

The kitchen island has become a staple item in many homes. When designed well it adds value, but fall foul of kitchen island mistakes and it can be a costly and cumbersome elephant in the room, potentially turning your kitchen into a culinary disaster zone.

With this in mind, we asked kitchen design experts what are the main kitchen island mistakes to be aware of when designing a kitchen island, and how can we steer clear of making them?

From size to placement, performance expectations and choice of materials, here's what the experts recommend you avoid when finalising the details of your kitchen island.

Why are kitchen island mistakes hard to rectify?

While some kitchen renovation tasks such as newly painted kitchen cabinet ideas or upgrading your kitchen appliances are easier to navigate, fixing your kitchen island mistakes can involve more of an upheaval.

A kitchen island is often placed in the heart of the kitchen, performing a multitude of tasks ranging from prepping meals to being used as a spot for socialising and dining. But, unless you've opted for a small mobile kitchen island, moving the location of your island is often not possible. I was told the small kitchen island in my apartment could be moved around, but trust me, I've not succeeded yet.

That means once in situ you want it to be just right – so here's how to make sure it is.

Kitchen island mistake one: Size

“When it comes to kitchen design, an island is one of the most sought-after elements and has become a staple, helping to elevate the functionality and style of the kitchen. It’s also an area where a lot of mistakes are made," says Nathan Kingsbury, creative director at Nathan Kingsbury Designs.

"One of the most common pitfalls is misjudging the size of the island that would best suit the space available," says Nathan – and it works both ways in terms of being too small or too large. Getting your kitchen island sizes wrong can add strain to how you use your kitchen and whether it's functional or not.

"One of the most significant kitchen island mistakes is selecting the wrong dimensions," agrees Nadine Chadwick, Head of Marketing at Nolte Kitchens UK. "An island that is too large can overwhelm the space, while one that is too small may not offer enough workspace or storage."

Key to avoiding this mistake? "Think carefully in advance about how you will use your kitchen island," says Claire Garner, director at Claire Garner Design Studio. "Considerations include: will it serve as a prep area, a dining space or both?"

"An island that is too small might not work from a functional perspective," adds Nathan Kingsbury. "Maybe not having enough storage, or counter space for working and dining."

"Kitchen island height is also a critical factor when looking at the overall size," adds Nadine Chadwick. "An island that is too high or too low can create discomfort and hinder functionality. It’s important to understand the tasks your island will be used for, for example food preparation or dining, as this will impact which height will be most comfortable."

Nathan Kingsbury

Nathan has over 20 years experience in the kitchen industry. For Nathan, designing kitchens is more than just a business; it’s a vocation and passion. He is a natural artist with an inventive, engineering mind, a trained craftsman with a precise eye for detail and a perfectionist with an honest and attentive nature.

Nadine Chadwick

Nadine Rowley is Marketing Manager at Nolte Kitchens UK, working across retail, contracts and B2B business divisions giving her an in-depth insight into all the elements involved in creating the perfect kitchen or utility room that functions well and looks great.

Claire Garner

Claire has over 15 years’ experience in the interior design industry, and over a decade running her own interior design studio. Her ability to design is well known as is her skill in creating beautiful designs through layered simplicity; evoking a true sense of depth and calm in her spaces.

Kitchen island mistake two: Positioning

Anyone who's wondered where to put a kitchen island in an extension or is deciding where one will work best in a kitchen diner, will know there are a number of factors that come into play when figuring out where it will finally sit.

But is positioning your kitchen island wrong really a big kitchen island mistake or more of an inconvenience?

It could be more of an issue than you think say our experts and here's why.

"Another mistake is not positioning the island correctly," says Nathan Kingsbury. Why? "An island should work to enhance the kitchen triangle and functionality rather than disrupt it," he explains.

"The positioning of a kitchen island is crucial," agrees Claire Garner, "as it needs to balance functionality with the flow of the space. The island should feel like a natural extension of the room, enhancing its functionality and flow while remaining mindful of proportions and how the space is used daily."

So what are the potential issues if you get the positioning of your kitchen island wrong?

"Placing the island too close to other kitchen elements can disrupt workflow," says Nadine Chadwick. "You can also create bottlenecks," warns Nathan Kingsbury, "while positioning it too far, and it’ll make prepping, cooking and cleaning even more cumbersome," he adds.

Claire Garner's top tips for where to place a kitchen island?

"In a large kitchen extension idea, an island can work beautifully when placed centrally, but this depends on the layout and how the island interacts with the rest of the room," says Claire. "Make sure the island doesn’t obstruct the kitchen triangle flow between sink, hob and fridge, but rather complements it.

If you're dealing with a long narrow kitchen can a kitchen island work at all or is the idea alone enough of a mistake in itself? It depends on how narrow your space actually is advises Claire.

"In galley kitchens, an island can also work as long as there’s sufficient width to maintain clear walkways on either side," she says. "Ideally, you need at least 1 to 1.2 metres of clearance to allow for ease of movement and practicality."

Kitchen island mistake three: Lack of storage

Although most kitchens provide an ample supply of kitchen storage ideas with cabinets, drawers and kitchen shelving all mainstay features in your design, there's always room for more, which is where your kitchen island comes into play.

"Failing to include enough storage into the island design is another oversight and it’s always disappointing when you get it wrong," says Nathan Kingsbury.

Although you might think about it as a stand alone section of your kitchen layout that doesn't need to do anything other than provide a surface or seating area, the reality is you'll still need kitchen equipment close to hand – be this cutlery or cookware.

"The island offers prime space for cabinets, drawers or shelving to help improve organisation and reduce clutter. If you neglect this element, it will leave you with an island that may be beautiful, but not functional," warns Nathan.

"Once again, think about how you use the kitchen, how you will use your island and what function it’ll serve in your day-to-day life in the kitchen, and include innovative storage solutions such as pull-out shelves, hidden compartments for cutlery and power points to really enhance the functionality if you use small kitchen appliances on there for example, or if it also functions as a work from home spot."

Kitchen island mistake four: Choosing the wrong materials

When deciding where to spend and where to save on your kitchen, it can often help to start thinking of those elements of your kitchen that will be on permanent display or the ones that need to be the most hard-wearing vs those that will be out of sight and less well used.

With kitchen islands falling into both of the former categories, it makes sense to invest in the materials that you choose for its design. But, be warned of not prioritising one over the other says Nathan Kingsbury.

"The choice of material can often go wrong, with homeowners focusing on aesthetics rather than durability and practicality," he says. "Although porous materials for kitchen worktops like marble look great, they can be prone to staining if not sealed, whilst choosing low-quality materials can result in an island that shows wear and tear very quickly.

"The key is to focus on suitable materials that will stand up to how you use the kitchen, that also balance style with functionality and practicality, and are also fitted and finished correctly by professionals.

"Do your research, ensure the materials you choose are suited for the task at hand and take advice from experts," suggests Nathan.

Get it wrong, and as well as ending up with a kitchen island that underperforms, you could also create a sense of disconnect rather than cohesion says Nadine Chadwick.

"The choice of materials also plays a crucial role in your kitchen island. Selecting materials that are difficult to maintain or clash with the surrounding décor can detract from the overall look of the kitchen and make it feel disparate and inconsistent."

One final tip from our experts? If you're planning on adding a sink or hob to your kitchen island, don't let your final decision become another kitchen island mistake.

"When deciding between having a sink or a hob on a kitchen island, it's crucial to evaluate your cooking habits and space constraints to determine the best option," advises Claire Garner.

"If you enjoy entertaining and hosting gatherings, a hob on the island can be a practical choice as it allows you to interact with guests while preparing meals. However, if space is limited or if you prefer a more streamlined look, a sink may be a better option, offering convenience for food preparation and cleanup without cluttering the island's surface."

Think a kitchen island still needs to be a part of your new kitchen plans? Find out what kitchen island costs you can expect to pay, and follow this advice for lighting a kitchen island to put the right kind of spotlight on your new feature.