Seating, storage, prep space, and the proportions that make an island feel right.
An island can be the best room in the house or the most expensive obstacle in the kitchen. The difference is usually proportion.
Allow 42 to 48 inches of walking clearance on every side. Less than 36 and the kitchen feels cramped; more than 54 and the island becomes an island you have to shout across.
For seating, plan 24 inches of counter per stool and a 12-inch overhang. For prep, dedicate at least 36 inches of clear counter to one side of the sink or cooktop.
Storage on an island is where we love to get creative — pull-out trash, deep drawers for stockpots, a hidden microwave drawer, vertical tray storage. Every cubic inch should earn its keep.