Island dimensions
Minimum useful: 1,800×900mm — fits two prep stations or one prep + small breakfast bar. Comfortable: 2,400×1,000mm — prep, hob OR sink, 2–3 stools. Generous: 3,000×1,200mm — prep + hob + sink + 3–4 stools + 30% breathing room. Above 3,500mm length, consider a two-section island (galley between) — beyond 3.5m a single mass becomes a barrier. Below 1,800mm length is essentially a peninsula — call it that. Depth above 1,200mm requires reach across — cabinets become inaccessible; consider islands deeper than 1,200mm only if accessed from two sides for storage.
Clearances
1,000mm clearance absolute minimum on all sides between island and walls/cabinets — single cook. 1,200mm minimum for two cooks or appliance doors that open into clearance (dishwasher, oven). End clearances often forgotten — designate one end as 'seating end' (overhang creates effective wider space), the other end keep clear 1,200mm minimum for circulation. Major circulation should cross island ends, not pass between island and main run. Walkway to dining beyond island: 1,500mm if it carries dining traffic regularly.
Seating and overhang
Counter-height seating (island top at 910mm, stool seat at 660mm, knee clearance 250mm): seat depth 600mm comfortable. Bar-height seating (top at 1,070mm, stool seat at 750mm): less comfortable for long meals but creates visual separation between prep area and seater. Overhang for knees: 300mm minimum at counter height, 250mm at bar height. Length per seat: 600mm minimum, 700mm comfortable — three stools need 1,800–2,100mm of run. Power sockets within overhang nose for laptops at the island: useful for home-working kitchens.
