Open Concept Kitchen Layout With Island Designs For A Stylish Flow

Open concept kitchens offer a spacious feel, and better movement and social engagement that many homeowners love. With these kitchen designs, the island becomes the anchor, allowing prep, seating, and storage that brings extra functionality to the space. The island adds the potential for additional counter space, a natural spot for gathering, and the availability for eat-in dining. In this guide, I’ll share some of my favorite ways to incorporate an open concept kitchen layout with an island so you can have the openness you crave and a design that you’ll love to share with others.

 Classic L-Shaped Kitchen with Central Island Layout

An L-shaped kitchen arrangement is perfect when laid out with an island, as it creates a short and effective work triangle on one side and a place for gathering on the other.

Floor Plan Details: This kitchen starts with a L-shape design that wraps cabinetry around two walls with countertops surrounding the island on the left and top walls. The sink is placed on the left next to the dishwasher, with the range in the middle on top and the fridge at the far end. The 6×3 island works as an additional counter surface and helps facilitate this classic work triangle, so it’s an effective space for prep and cooking. The island’ seating includes room for three seats along the bottom edge. 42″ aisles wrap around the island, so two people can cook or work simultaneously. 

Dimensions:

• Room size: 15′ (W) × 12′ (D)
• Island: 6′ × 3′ with bar stool seating for 3
• Aisle clearances: 42″ on the range and the sink sides
• Appliance triangle: sink to range to refrigerator arranged for short movements while prepping food
• Range centered on the top 12′ cabinet run with the refrigerator at the right side
• Dishwasher immediately beside the sink for a quick clean-up zone

Design Tips:

• Keep the 42″ working aisles if you plan on two-cook multi-tasking. 
• Give the island a 12″ seating overhang and plan for 24″ of elbow room per stool.
• Add two outlets on the island to power small appliances.
• Place a trash/recycle pull-out in the area near the sink.
• Reserve 15″ to 18″ of landing space on both sides of the range to hold hot pots and pans, and next to one side of the fridge.
• Center two pendants over the island (roughly one over each third). 
• Install dimmable under-cabinet LED’s if you have upper cabinetry.
• Consider adding a pantry cabinet to the left of the fridge for accessible deep bulk storage.
• Use a waterfall or contrasting island top to add a focal point to the design.

Large U-Shaped Kitchen with Peninsula and Island Floor Plan

This U-shape kitchen plan pairs an island and a peninsula combo, with wrap-around countertops to deliver a fast work triangle, an abundance of storage, and seating for eat-in dining.

Floor Plan Details: The 20ft by 16ft kitchen is well-suited for usability due to its U-shaped design, which wraps countertops and cabinets around the perimeter on three sides, complemented by an island and peninsula. The range is placed on the top wall with counter space on either side and directly across from the sink located inside the 7-by-3.5-foot island. On the right side is the refrigerator and a tall, full-height pantry, with a mobile table in between. A 6-by-3-foot peninsula is located at the lower left, providing an eat-in dining area for up to three stools, and separates the kitchen from the adjacent cooking area, without closing it off.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 20′ (W) × 16′ (D)
• Island: 7′ × 3.5′ with sink and dishwasher
• Peninsula seating: 6′ × 3′ with 3 stools
• Cook aisle (range to island): 47″
• Aisle between island and peninsula: 40″
• Aisle on the right run (island to fridge/pantry): 3’9″ (45″)
• Range centered on a 15’7″ long top cabinet run. 

Design Tips:

• Keep the 47″ cook aisle that size to allow two people to work together.
• Plan 24″ per stool at the peninsula and a 12″ overhang for seating.
• Place a trash/recycle pull-out in the island or by the range.
• Add landing surfaces of at least 15″ to 18″ on both sides of the cooktop.
• Use the mobile table as a coffee or plating cart while entertaining.
• Use task lighting with under-cabinet LED’s around the U, recessed downlights above, plus two pendants over the island.
• Zone storage: Use the tall pantry for storing bulk goods and small appliances.
• If traffic from adjacent rooms crosses near the peninsula, make sure you have a 40″ minimum aisle. 
• Vent the range with a 600+ CFM fan if you do heavy cooking.

Galley-Style Open Concept Kitchen Layout with a Long Island

With one long wall of cabinets combined with a slender island, this combo delivers a straight, galley-style design that keeps guests close by, but out of the way of the main cooking lane. 

Floor Plan Details: This 20ft by 10ft open-concept kitchen features a long, slim island to create a galley style center lane with its cooking and prep area along the upper side. The top wall runs from left to right with the dishwasher, to sink, to range, to the refrigerator for a simple, linear flow. The 9-by-3.5-foot island lies opposite of the cook zone with seating for four along the room side. The core work aisle is an efficient 39 inches between the island and the main cabinets, with an outer aisle that opens to the living/dining side past the stools.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 20′ (W) × 10′ (D)
• Island: 9′ × 3.5′ with seating for up to 4 
• Work aisle (perimeter to island): 39″
• Outer aisle (island to open side): 47″
• Appliance order on the wall: Dishwasher → Sink → Range → Fridge
• Preferred landing space: 15 to 18″ on both sides of the range and by the fridge

Design Tips:

• Keep the 39″ work aisle and widen to 42″ if you plan on having two frequent cooks.
• Allow 24″ per stool and a 12″ overhang so four stools can fit on the 9′ island.
• Add island outlets on both ends and consider an undercounter drawer microwave or beverage fridge on the inner face.
• Use under-cabinet task lighting on the wall and hang two or three pendants over the island.
• If the living area is the main traffic path, keep the outer aisle dedicated to 47 to 48″ between edges and furniture
• Balance storage with deep drawers under the range for large pots and shallower island drawers for utensils.

Contemporary Open Kitchen with Angled Island Floor Plan

An angled island can enhance the kitchen’s style and function by creating visual interest, pointing the cook’s view toward the living area, and improving sightlines that make the space feel more open and inviting. 

Floor Plan Details: This interesting 20ft by 10ft open-concept kitchen combines an L-shape cabinet setup with a long angled island. The top wall has the range, while the left side holds the refrigerator with the sink and dishwasher located within the 7ft by 4ft island. This way, one can clean and prep food, wash dishes, and load the dishwasher while facing out toward the main living area. There’s also room for 3 bar stools at the island’s counter for congregating and eat-in meals. This layout provides an effective, linear workflow that keeps guests out of the way while providing more surface area for your cooking prep needs. The core work aisle benefits from a tight, efficient work triangle that keeps everything close by.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 20′ (W) × 10′ (D)
• Island: 7′ × 4′ with seating for up to 3
• Work aisle (perimeter to island): 39″
• Outer aisle (island to open side with fridge): 47″
• Appliance order on the wall: Dishwasher → Sink → Range → Fridge
• Preferred landing space: 15 to 18″ on both sides of the range and next to the fridge

Design Tips:

• Angling the island may allow stools to fan out along other edges due to its placement.
• Allow 24″ per stool and a 12″ overhang to seat all comfortably on a 7′ island.
• If the living area is the main traffic path, keep the outer aisle at 47 to 48″ to prevent bumping into the counter edges or those seated
• Balance storage by using a mix of deep drawers by the range, and island drawers.
• Hang a linear light fixture or pendant(s) along the island’s axis.
• Consider angling a rug under the stools to match the island’s geometry and contemporary styling.
• Use countertop overhang support if you plan on wrapping the seating around to prevent sagging.

Minimalist Single-Wall Open Kitchen with Spacious Island Design

This minimalist kitchen layout pairs a single wall of cabinets with a large 10-by-4-foot island with seating and built-in fixtures to create a stylish and functional design. 

Floor Plan Details: This open 16ft by 12ft kitchen features a single working wall that has a range in the middle, ends in a fridge on the far right, and has a large, 10ft by 4ft parallel island. There are continuous countertops on either side of the range with smaller uppers on each side. The 10-by-4-foot island works as the prep and cleanup hub with a centered sink and dishwasher to its right, plus seating for up to four people on the outside area. The overall effect is a stylish kitchen that maintains a wide 47″ chef’s aisle for all of the kitchen’s cooking tasks, while keeping guests seated on the outside to promote easy conversations and family gatherings.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 16′ (W) × 12′ (D)
• Main wall run: 12.8′, range centered, with the fridge at the right end
• Island: 10′ × 4′, sink and dishwasher in the island, and seating for 4
• Cook aisle (wall ↔ island): 47″ (3.93′)
• Perimeter clearance behind stools: 36″ to side walls and open to the living area in back.

Design Tips:

• Keep 42 to 48″ between the island and the range for space for two-cooks.
• Allow 24″ per stool with an overhang of 12″ overhang for legs while sitting.
• Place 4 to 5 stools at the island’s outside edge for dining.
• Consider a second sink on the upper run for more functionality.
• Layer lighting: Use two to three pendants centered, or a linear fixture with recessed cans.
• If the outer aisle is a main walkway, keep it close to the 42″ measurement behind the stools if possible.

Farmhouse Style Kitchen with Extended Island and Pantry Layout

Farmhouse kitchens often center around a large worktable, and this design fits the bill with its long countertop run on two sides, a storage-rich pantry zone, and a 9-foot island with easy seating for everyday living.

Floor Plan Details: This 18-by-13-foot kitchen combines an extended L-shaped cabinetry run along two sides with a 9-by-3.5-foot island with a built-in sink and dishwasher that ups the productivity to another level. The island’s got seating for four on the room side, and to the right, there’s room for a large fridge and a tall pantry closet for your bulk storage needs. There are generous aisles of 38″ to 42 inches all around that make the space feel open and inviting, further reinforcing the easy farmhouse feel.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 18′ (W) × 13′ (D)
• Main cabinet run: 16′ on the top wall with a middle range 
• Island: 9′ × 3.5′, with a sink and dishwasher on the island, and seating for 4
• Aisles: 42″ for the cook and left sides, and 38″ between the island and pantry/fridge side
• Right storage zone: refrigerator + full-height 3 1/2ft wide pantry grouped for efficient food access

Design Tips:

• Keep the 42″ cook lane to allow two cooks.
• If you entertain often, widen the aisle on the pantry side to 40 or 42″.
• Give stools 24″ of room each with a 12″ to 15″ of overhang.
• Add Shaker-style cabinets, wood accents, and butcher block counters for a farmhouse vibe.
• Use pendants centered over the island, task lights along the top, and add one or more sconces to further promote the farmhouse vibe.
• Consider paneling the fridge, with shaker fronts for warmth.
• If you bake a lot, outfit the pantry with pull-outs and tall tray dividers.

Luxury Open Plan Kitchen with Double Island 

This double-island kitchen sets aside one for prep and cooking, and the other for serving and socializing, creating a functional and stylish design that exudes luxury.

Floor Plan Details: This luxury, 22-by-16-foot open double island kitchen features a long single wall for cooking and refrigeration and two separate islands for different tasks. The single cabinet runs at the top centers the range and the oven with uninterrupted counter space on either side, and the refrigerator at the far right. The inner “prep island”, measuring 7’×3′ is a workhorse that creates a tight work triangle packed with useful fixtures for prep work while facing out to the living, or dining room. You’ll find a sink centered with the dishwasher with drawer stacks below for storing your knives, towels, and utensils. A larger seating island measuring 9’×4′ sits beyond the first, toward the living area, with stools along the far side, so guests can gather and easily converse with the cook. Guest movement is kept in the outer perimeter and prep work on the inner island, so hot work happens at the range and first island, and serving moves to the front island where it can be enjoyed by others.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 22′ (W) × 16′ (D)
• Working wall: A long continuous cabinet run with a middle range and wall oven, and a fridge at the right end
• Inner prep island: 7′ × 3′, sink and dishwasher, with drawer storage at both ends
• Front seating island: 9′ × 4′, seats 4 to 5
• Cook aisle (wall to prep island): 48″
• Inter-island clearance: 35″
• Outer lanes left/right of the front island to perimeter: 78″ each with broad walkways for entertaining

Design Tips:

• Keep the 48″ cook aisle to accommodate two. If you’re a frequent entertainer, resist shrinking it down further.
• Aim for 36 to 42″ between islands.  It works best at 35″, which feels efficient.
• Give each stool 24″ and a 12″ overhang on the seating island.
• Run 3 pendants centered over the seating island’s length and 2 over the prep counter.
• Build a trash/recycle pull-out near the sink’s prep side.
• Install sheet-pan/tray dividers near the oven and range for ease of access.
• Add island outlets on both islands and consider a microwave in the prep island if you have the room.
• Create zones. Add baking tools near the oven, pots in deep drawers by the range, and glassware at the seating island to streamline activities.
• Cut down on ambient noise. Purchase a quiet dishwasher, range hood and fridge to eliminate background noise entering the other living areas.

Overview Of Kitchen Plan Layouts

Plan Type	Typical Dimensions	Island Features	Best For
Classic L-Shaped With Island	15′ × 12′	6′ × 3′ island, 3 stools, prep and serving space	Balanced family that wants seating and efficiency
U-Shaped With Island & Peninsula	20′ × 16′	7′ × 3.5′ island with sink, 6′ peninsula with seating	For large households or those wanting to entertain who need more storage
Galley-Style With Long Island	20′ × 10′	9′ × 3.5′ island, 4–5 seats, facing single wall run	Open concept homes that want efficiency and a bigger prep space
Contemporary With Angled Island	16′ × 16′	7′ × 4′ angled island with sink & 3 stools	Modern layout for those wanting to promote visual interest and social seating
Minimalist Single-Wall With Large Island	16′ × 12′	10′ × 4′ island, sink + DW, seating for 4	For a clean, streamlined space with minimal decor
Farmhouse With Extended Island & Pantry	18′ × 13′	9′ × 3.5′ island with sink, seating for 4, and an adjacent pantry	A family-friendly kitchen with extra storage and a more traditional or rustic character
Luxury Double Island	22′ × 16′	7′ prep island with sink, 9′ seating island with 4–5 stools	For a high-end feel that separates cooking from entertaining

For more ideas like this, take a look at our single-line kitchens with islands here.