12 Small Kitchen Island Ideas to Make the Most of Your Space

For many city-dwellers, space is fantasy. The idea of a large primary bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, and especially a gourmet kitchen with a jaw-dropping kitchen island often exist strictly in the realm of fantasy. With the kitchen being considered as the heart of your home, it can be a drawback when it does not meet the size (large) requirement in a small apartment. 

However,  just because your kitchen feels plucked from a dollhouse doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the glorious benefits of a kitchen island. (You deserve extra prep space, extra storage, and additional seating, too!) These space-saving kitchen island ideas will help your small kitchen feel a little more dreamy and functional.

Have a wall space where cabinets would be handy? If you’re a renter (or don’t want to afford to install them), an island is a great alternative, especially because it can add visual interest to an otherwise bland space. This Charleston home shows just how clean and attractive this option can be.

We like to think of kitchen islands being in the center of the room, but this Toronto home demonstrates that by placing it on the wall gives you storage, prep space, and some extra seating when needed.

You don’t have to have a giant kitchen to create a U-shaped workspace —and with the right island, you can even add a little seating and storage in the process. Multi-tasking pieces like the one above are especially important for tiny homes, like this 230-square-foot New York City apartment, as they can help divide the space and give a feeling of divided room spaces.

To make the most of your space, choose an island with a drop-leaf design like the one in this New Orleans apartment. This lets you have room for a cozy dining area or for more prep space while still keeping the island as out-of-the-way as possible when it’s not in use.

When you live in a 180-square-foot-apartment in Broolyn, you need to make the most of every inch. This rolling island is ideal for small spaces because it provides counter space, seating, and storage — it even has a built-in spice cabinet.

When adding more furniture to your already squished kitchen is simply out of the question, add an “island” with a countertop feel. In this Providence condo, a floating countertop runs along the length of one wall. The minimal under-countertop cabinetry makes this DIY update less cumbersome — but you’ll still get the benefit of extra flat space. For renters, adding a single skinny countertop isn’t a difficult update, as long as you have permission to screw into the studs.

A four-person dining table can work two jobs: as a place to eat and a place to work. Consider getting a counter-height table, but there’s no reason a standard dining table can’t get the job done, too. (Although you may need to sit down when chopping your veggies.) In this San Francisco home, a kitchen island provides enough sit-down room for a family dinner—and adds precious counter space to a small kitchen.

Some kitchens are made for cooking and entertaining. Other kitchens need to do just one job, and do it well. If you love crafting elaborate four-course dinners, don’t shy away from stuffing an oversized island into your space. (Just make sure there’s enough room to walk around.) In this renovated Montreal duplex, a sizable island commands attention.

If your itsy-bitsy apartment is super-squished, wasting precious space on an island may be an impossible ask. The added furniture may make navigating your kitchen difficult or impede an important home thruway. If a pre-bought island doesn’t work jutting out across the floor, push it up against a wall to get it out of the way, and extend your counter space, like in this colorful Los Angeles rental kitchen.

No room to stuff a full-fledged kitchen table into your space? Mimic a true island by adding a small selection of under the counter-height seating. West Elm’s Fram Kitchen Console – Butcher Block, is the perfect dual-use island. Its butcher table top is an ideal material for prepping your meals.

Want to add a country-chic vibe to your kitchen—and increase your usable counter space? Head to your favorite vintage shop and pick up an old wooden table, like the one used in this countryside Buenos Aires home. Vintage tables come in all shapes and sizes, however, so take time to search for exactly what you need for your space. Here, the wide, square tabletop is ideal for chopping veggies, and the additional seating is essential when you’re on the go and don’t want to muss up your full-sized dining table.

Small kitchens can feel extra-cramped when stuffed with heavy, blocky furniture. Instead, choose a streamlined, high-top table to serve as your kitchen island. This marble-topped table ($3999) from CB2 has no shelving or storage — just four beautiful, streamlined iron legs. Taking the minimal approach promises to make your space feel expansive.