7 Square Kitchen Layouts With Islands for Small, Medium & Large Spaces

A well-planned kitchen island can add extra prep space, storage, and seating, all while making the design look more appealing and increasing the home’s resale value. The key is carefully matching the island’s size and placement to the room’s dimensions and keeping the proper clearances so cooks and guests can move easily. In this guide, you’ll see 7 square kitchen layouts with islands, ranging from small to large, each with their own exact measurements, aisle widths, and clever placement for the sink, range, and refrigerator.

 

12×12 Classic Center Island Kitchen Layout

This center island kitchen plan works because it pairs a functional work triangle with roomy aisles and L-sided seating, keeping cooking efficient and still offering comfortable, casual dining.

Floor Plan Details: This square kitchen centers a 4′ x 4′ island that becomes a casual dining spot with seating on two sides. The island has an L-shaped seating overhang for up to three stools, with two placed on the bottom and one on the left. The work triangle is straightforward with a 36″ refrigerator on the upper-left, a 30″ sink centered on the top under a window, and a 30″ range on the right wall. Primary working aisles are kept comfortable at 42″ on the sink and range sides, meanwhile the bar stool seating sides for the island have a tighter 30″ clearance. This setup allows circulation to flow around all four sides of the island, with active cooking kept to the top and seating to the bottom and left.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 12′ x 12′ (144 sq ft)
• Island: 4′ x 4′, L-shaped seating for 3
• Aisles: 42″ (island to sink wall and island to range wall) with 30″ clearance on seating sides
• Appliances/fixtures: 36″ refrigerator; 30″ sink base; 30″ range

Design Tips:

• Maintain the clearances. Keep the 42″ work aisles on the sink and range sides to allow two people to pass each other and for easy appliance loading.
• Customize the island for seating. For seating comfort, plan on 24″ per stool and a 12 to 15″ island counter overhang.
• Maximize the sink zone. Place the dishwasher and maybe a pull-out trash receptacle on either side of the sink to enhance cooking prep and cleanup.
• Add pendant lighting. Center these fixtures over the island and general recessed cans on the ceiling to balance task and ambient light.
• Keep seating on the bottom and left of the island. This way, guests can face the cook and keep the prep lane clear.
• Consider a counter-depth refrigerator or a tall pantry cabinet near the fridge. This helps streamline functionality and increase visual width.

14×14 U-shaped Open Plan Kitchen With Island And Peninsula Seating 

This U-shape kitchen layout works because it pairs a three-wall work triangle, large aisles with an island that opens to the living area for an efficient design for storage, cooking, and socializing.

Floor Plan Details: When looking for an effective kitchen design, it’s hard to beat a U-shaped arrangement. This square, open kitchen places a 6′ x 3′ island between three walls of cabinets that forms a classic work triangle. There’s a 30″ sink on the left, a 30″ range centered on the top, and a 36″ refrigerator on the right wall. The island works as the main prep surface and can be used as a social hub with a seating overhang along the bottom edge. This way guests can face into the open kitchen area for chatting with the chef during meal prep. The three “work” sides have large 42″ aisles to maneuver, while the open side maintains a tighter 30″ passage behind the island.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 14′ x 14′ (196 sq ft)
• Island: 6′ x 3′, with seating for 1 on the bottom side (allow 24″ per stool)
• Clearances: 42″ from the island to the sink, range, and fridge and 30″ behind the island for seating
• Appliances/fixtures: 30″ sink base, 30″ range, 36″ refrigerator

Design Tips:

• Keep the three 42″ work aisles. This allows for a two-person flow and safe appliance loading and unloading.
• Provide a 12–15″ overhang at the island. This way, legs can fit under for seating.
• Include power outlets on the island. This way, small appliances can be plugged in.
• Add storage in the island’s base. This is ideal for storing cutting boards, pots, pans and small appliances.
• Add 15″+ landing space beside the range and near the refrigerator. This helps during food prep or for putting away groceries. 
• Choose a quiet dishwasher and a properly vented hood over the range. This is advised for keeping noises limited for open-plan living.

15×15 Modern Island Kitchen With Prep Sink Floor Plan

With a prep sink installed in the island and a range opposite on the main countertop, this kitchen layout separates cooking from cleanup for a functional design.

Floor Plan Details: This spacious L-shaped kitchen with an island measures 15×15 organizes the classic work triangle across three sides, with a dedicated prep sink in the island that allows the cook to look out rather than in. The refrigerator, measuring 36″ wide, sits at the lower corner and leads to a run of countertop space leading to a stovetop/oven. On the other counter run sits a range with the sink placed in the island directly across the aisle. The island at the center measures 7′ x 3.5’and features a 24″ prep sink and seating for three along the bottom. Chef-oriented aisles provide 42″ of space on the active sides, while on the right edge, there’s a tighter 30″ passage. 

Dimensions:

• Room size: 15′ x 15′ (225 sq ft)
• Island: 7′ x 3.5′ with 24″ prep sink and overhang seating for 3
• Clearances: 42″ (island to left wall and to range wall), 30″ at the right side, and 60″ behind the island seating
• Appliances/fixtures: 36″ refrigerator next to a 30″ stovetop, a primary sink in the island, and a 36″ range on the top wall

Design Tips:

• Keep the prep sink centered in the island’s work side. Its placement across from the range creates a fast prep zone.
• Size the seating overhang 12 to 15″. This will allow legs underneath, and don’t forget to allow 24″ per stool for elbow room.
• Add landing space (15″+) on both sides of the range. This is useful for space to prepare dishes without placing them on hot surfaces.
• Consider a counter-depth/panel-ready fridge. This helps maintain the 42″ aisle.
• Use pendant lighting over the island. This creates a focal point out of the island that increases the ambiance and style.
• Add another sink in the main countertop run. If you cook with a partner, keep the cleanup sink on the left wall dedicated to dishes, and reserve the island sink for prep work.

10×10 Compact Kitchen With Small Island Layout

A 10ft by 10ft kitchen is often too small for an island; however, by carefully managing its dimensions, it creates extra space for prep and storage.

Floor Plan Details: This square, compact 10ft by 10ft kitchen fits a 3′ x 3′ island in between carefully calculated aisles to get the most out of the layout. The work triangle is simple with a 30″ range on the left side, a 24″ sink centered on the bottom, and a 30″ refrigerator at the bottom-right corner. The island is offset so the sink and range sides keep 36″ clearances for cooking and loading, while the top and right edges offer 24″ clearances (not for regular through passage) to make the island possible in a 10′ x 10′ room.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 10′ x 10′ (100 sq ft)
• Island: 3′ x 3′, no seating
• Clearances: 36″ (island to sink and range sides); 24″ (island to top/right “non-walk” sides)
• Appliances/fixtures: 30″ range; 24″ sink base; 30″ refrigerator

Design Tips:

• Keep 36″ on the two working sides. Treat the 24″ sides as non-traffic zones with shallow storage.
• Use low-profile appliances. Choose a counter-depth refrigerator and a slide-in range to preserve aisle width.
• Add a pull-out trash and most-used prep tools to the island. Reserve the sink wall for cleanup.
• Add a compact dishwasher. Consider a slim 18″ model by the sink to protect clearances.
• Limit any island overhang to 6″ (or none.) This will help avoid pinching the aisles.
• Use under-cabinet lighting and one centered flush/mini-pendant above the island. Adds to the overall illumination of the workspace.

16×16 Gourmet Kitchen With Large Island, Seating and Cooktop 

This large kitchen layout works because it combines a large, seating-friendly island in the middle of a three-wall work triangle with easy-to-navigate 48″ aisles, which creates a professional prep space without sacrificing cabinet storage space.

Floor Plan Details: This large 16ft by 16ft kitchen is organized for serious cooking and easy hosting. The perimeter cabinets hold the 30″ sink on the left, a 30″ cooktop/range on the right, and a 36″ refrigerator at the lower corner for ease of access. At the center sits an 8′ x 4′ island that provides a large prep surface with seating positioned along the long left side. Chef aisles are roomy with 48″ on the top, left and right sides for the ideal two-person flow and clearances for loading appliances.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 16′ x 16′ (256 sq ft)
• Island: 8′ x 4′, seating along one long side and fits 3 to 4 stools at 24″ elbow room per seat
• Clearances: 48″ island to sink wall, cooktop, and top wall 
• Appliances/fixtures: 30″ sink, 30″ cooktop/range, and 36″ for the refrigerator

Design Tips:

• Provide a 12 to 15″ overhang at the island’s seating side. Use stools that can tuck under to further improve the room to move.
• Add landing zones (15″+) on both sides of the cooktop and next to the refrigerator. This is ideal for setting down groceries and avoiding hot surfaces.
• Specify a quiet, well-vented hood on the cooktop. This can help keep smells from permeating into open areas.
• Store prep tools, knives, and pull-out trash in the island. This is useful for a true chef’s kitchen to aid functionality while cooking.
• Use pendant lighting over the island. Pair this with under-cabinet lights on the perimeter run, and dimmable general lighting above for thorough illumination.

13×13 Kitchen With Corner Pantry And Island Floor Plan

By adding a corner pantry, this layout delivers big storage without breaking the compact work triangle situated around a compact center island.

Floor Plan Details: This kitchen offers a good balance between storage and flow with a 4′ x 4′ corner pantry next to a 4′ x 2.5′ island. The arrangement places the pantry between the refrigerator and the range, so there’s an efficient flow from gathering food items to cooking. The sink is positioned on the left countertop run within a short reach. The compact 4′ x 2.5′ island sits in the middle to handle prep work, with a tight amount of room for any seating. The work triangle flowing from the sink to the range to the fridge is tight and direct.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 13′ x 13′ (169 sq ft)
• Island: 4′ x 2.5′ (tight amount of room for seating)
• Aisle clearances: 36″ for the island to the left wall/sink, 36″ for the island to the top wall, 48″ for the island to the range, 39″ for the island to the fridge/pantry
• Appliances/fixtures: 30″ sink base, 30″ range, and 36″ for refrigerator
• Corner pantry: 4′ x 4′ with angled door

Design Tips:

• Add an overhang to the island. If you plan on adding seating, an overhang will allow those seated to tuck their legs under the surface.
• Use the island as the primary prep zone. Since it’s close to the pantry and appliances, it works well as the primary staging area.
• Consider a counter-depth fridge. This helps the 39″ aisle from feeling too tight.
• Check the pantry door swing. Verify the door swing doesn’t conflict with any appliances or the island.
• Add shallow shelves or tall storage inside the 4′ x 4′ pantry. This helps get the most storage space from corners

18×18 Kitchen With Double Island Layout

This double island kitchen layout works by splitting prep and seating across two islands and surrounding them with an L-shaped cabinet arrangement that lines up appliances so they are within easy reach.

Floor Plan Details: This large two island kitchen separates cooking and socializing. It has two 5′ x 3′ islands with the upper one for seating/serving, and the lower one as the chef’s station with a 24″ prep sink. This setup aligns the lower island with the 36″ cooktop and sink on the bottom wall and next to the cooktop on the other side. The 36″ refrigerator is on the upper-left corner near the kitchen’s entry for easier access from other parts of the home. Wide aisles surround the islands so multiple people can move freely without getting in the way.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 18′ x 18′ (324 sq ft)
• Islands: two at 5′ x 3′; rear for seating, front with 24″ prep sink
• Clearances: 41″ between islands with 48″ from the cooktop wall to the prep island and 54″ on the left side, and 78″ on the right 
• Appliances/fixtures: 36″ cooktop on the bottom, 36″ perimeter sink on the bottom-right, and 36″ refrigerator in the upper-left

Design Tips:

• Zone the islands. Use the front of the lower island for prep and reserve the upper island for seating, serving, and eat-in dining.
• Keep the 41″ inter-island gap. Maintain the large aisles if you plan on having extra people in the space.
• Add a high-CFM, quiet hood over the cooktop. This helps keep the sounds from the kitchen permeating the rest of the house.
• Add outlets to island ends. Consider a built-in microwave drawer in the rear island for quick meals.