Kitchens With Island Benches: The Must-Have Design Guide
By Zephyr and Stone
Planning or designing a new kitchen? Then there's a good chance an island bench design is on the cards too! Given the ever-evolving demands of modern kitchens, it's crucial your new kitchen with island bench design can handle more than just your day-to-day needs.
But where do you begin, and what storage, functionality and design elements are essential for your new island bench? #tooeasy — we’ve covered all the essentials for island benches you’ll need, and then some… to ensure your new kitchen design ticks all the boxes!
Zephyr and Stone • Scandi Kitchen with Island Bench
Identify Your Unique Kitchen Bench Needs
First things first, what are YOUR kitchen bench essentials? Island benches can be used for prepping, cooking, entertaining, homework… the list goes on, but it’s first and foremost vital to determine your unique kitchen bench needs, including the tasks, storage and cooking demands you expect of your island bench. This allows you to plan and design storage, functionality and solutions to cater to your individual kitchen use and lifestyle needs. Answer the following questions now:
Will your new island bench include breakfast bar seating?
Do you want your kitchen island bench seating to cater for kids to sit, chat, and do homework while snacking?
Is maximizing storage on the island bench a priority?
Will the sink and dishwasher (or a cooktop) be installed on the kitchen island or elsewhere?
What clever island bench cabinetry and integrated storage solutions (such as integrated bins) are essential to maximize functionality and workflow in the space?
Zephyr and Stone • Finishes Schedule
Z+ S Tip • Your custom kitchen bench should cater to your household’s needs, preferences, and how you’d like to work and entertain in your home. Make a shortlist of essential tasks and storage for your kitchen island, to ensure it meets all the needs of your household.
Zephyr and Stone: Renovation Calculator for Kitchen Design
2. Kitchen With Island Bench Location
Once you've determined the purpose and tasks the island bench in your kitchen will serve, it's time to look at your kitchen bench location and layout. The island bench location should maximize functionality and movement in the kitchen space, as well as any adjacent dining and living areas that flow from the kitchen. To ensure an efficient and practical kitchen design, keep these points in mind:
Centrally locate the island bench for easy access to your pantry, cooktop, and fridge.
Maintain a clear kitchen footprint, avoiding intrusion into walkways or other living spaces in an open-plan design.
Consider the island bench location in relation to your kitchen work triangle (sink, cooktop, and refrigerator) for optimal workflow.
If incorporating island bench dining, ensure there’s adequate space for bar stools either side, as well as wider kitchen walkways for movement around the area.
Z+S Tip • When planning your kitchen island bench location, balance function and aesthetics, for the best result in your open-plan design.
Zephyr and Stone • Contemporary Coastal Kitchen with Island Bench
Zephyr and Stone • Coral House Kitchen Island Bench Design
3. Island Bench Size
Size is a crucial aspect when it comes to kitchen island benches. A larger island can accommodate more people and provide additional workspace, but it should be proportionate to your kitchen and overall home. To determine the ideal island bench size for your kitchen design, consider these factors:
Evaluate the available space in your kitchen to determine an appropriate size for the island bench.
Plan the island bench breakfast bar length so it fits the number of bar stools you’re planning for (for example, a 2500-2600mm long island bench can comfortably accommodate four bar stools).
Ensure a standard benchtop overhang for the breakfast bar of about 300mm deep — so bar stools seating can be tucked in when not in use.
For larger kitchens, consider an island bench length of 3-4m+ to create a standout feature and accommodate extra storage or appliances.
Make kitchen walkway widths ample — especially where storage or appliances sit opposite each other. For example, for kitchen drawers on the island bench sitting directly opposite an oven, ensure the walkway is wide enough so users can pass easily when the drawers or appliance is open or in use.
The minimum island bench depth if you’re planning breakfast bar seating is 900mm which includes 600mm of cabinets and a 300mm island benchtop overhang. However opting for an island bench depth of 1050-1200mm will feel more ample and create that designer kitchen look.
Zephyr and Stone: Kitchen Design Bundle
Remember, the ideal kitchen island bench size will balance both function and style, enhancing your overall kitchen design and providing a convenient space for food preparation, storage, and socializing.
Z + S Tip • For a longer benchtop you will need to purchase additional pieces of stone or benchtop material and also consider where the join for your benchtop will sit. The ideal spot for a benchtop join so it’s as seamless as possible is at the sink or cootop.
Zephyr and Stone • Retreat House Kitchen with Island Bench
4. Island Bench Storage
A kitchen island provides the perfect opportunity to add much needed kitchen storage. Even the back of a wider island bench can be utilised for extra cupboard space rather than boxing in an empty cavity. Make use of every opportunity and ensure to plan island bench storage to suit your kitchen design.
Not sure whether to install a sink on the island bench? There’s no rules — we love the look and functionality of a sink on the island bench, however It’s really a matter of personal choice! If you are including a sink on your island, remember to opt for a wider bench if viable, to create more distance between the back of the sink and people sitting on stools directly opposite. A benchtop that’s 1050-1200mm deep generally works well to ensure there’s ample space.
Zephyr and Stone: Kitchen Measurement Sheet
Your island bench is the perfect location for high use appliances, especially a dishwasher (alongside the sink), a microwave (just below the bench for easy access), or a bar fridge. Storage that works especially well here includes integrated rubbish bins and extra-large drawers for storing items like Tupperware or dinnerware.
Finally, don’t forget benchtop space! Your benchtop provides vital storage for food and items during cooking plus a handy workspace, making benchtop space and storage an essential consideration in your kitchen design.
Z + S Tip • When considering storage options for your new kitchen island bench, look at your existing kitchen design and take note of what storage works well and what’s lacking to ensure your new design caters to your needs.
Zephyr and Stone • Kitchen Storage for Island Bench Design
Zephyr and Stone • Scandi Kitchen Island Bench Design
5. Kitchen Island Bench Seating
As well as being a functional and social space for preparing food and cooking meals, kitchen island benches also have the power to bring the household together. Our favourite island bench design includes the integration of a dining end where bar stools sit opposite each other. This creates a zone that’s ideal for casual dinners, family time, work, and entertaining at home.
If you have space to include seating around your island bench, you’ll no doubt have quadrupled your kitchen’s usability instantly and created a versatile space for everyone to use. Whatever island bench design you choose, make sure there’s ample space to accommodate the number of bar stools you’ll need.
Zephyr and Stone • Resort House Kitchen Island Bench Design
6. Extra Features For An Island Bench
Your kitchen island bench design wouldn’t be complete without those extra features to maximise function, aesthetics and usability! Power is vital for your dishwasher and other appliances, but adding additional power points for use of small appliances or charging is a big tick when it comes to functionality! You can also integrate wireless chargers under your bench for added convenience, or opt for a sleek integrated PointPod.
Zephyr and Stone: Renovation Guides
If your bench includes a sink, consider under mounting it to create seamless lines and pair it with a feature tap to add instant style to your design. This is also the place in your kitchen to splash out and create a thicker benchtop apron for added ‘wow’ factor, integrate special cabinetry finishes such as panelling, tiles or custom profiles and add a feature benchtop to elevate the whole space.
Finally, no island bench is complete without some feature pendants or lighting to bring your whole design together. When choosing lighting, you can opt for a layered lighting scheme where different light sources are used for different tasks. For example, pendant lights are perfect for lighting up the benchtop and creating atmosphere by night and can be switched separately, and combined with downlights to maximise functionality. When choosing any pendants or lighting for your island bench, always consider the other materials and colours within your home and opt for pieces that balance and complement your design.
Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Kitchen
Want more home design information and ideas? Learn our 6 Tips For Creating An Interior Designed Home On A Budget
Browse our Classic Coastal Project Room-by-Room
