Are you dreaming of having a kitchen island but worry your space is too small? Fear not! In this post, I’ll share 17 clever small kitchen island ideas to show you that it’s entirely possible!
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, the kitchen often serves as the heart of the home—a place where meals are prepared, memories are made, and conversations flow freely.
Yet, for many of us, the dream of having a spacious kitchen with ample room for a grand island remains just that—a dream. But fear not!
In this post, I’m excited to share with you 17 genius small kitchen island ideas that will not only save space but also elevate the functionality and style of your kitchen.
From simple yet effective tricks like utilizing floating shelves and repurposing furniture to investing in space-saving rolling carts, each idea has been handpicked to offer practical solutions for maximizing your kitchen’s potential.
Now, let’s explore these ideas to turn your kitchen island dreams into reality!
17 Genius Small Kitchen Island Ideas
1. Mount it
Mounting a shelf for a small kitchen island is a fantastic space-saving idea. Not only does it look stylish, but it also maximizes floor space, which is crucial in a smaller kitchen.
Additionally, it’s quite simple to create this type of kitchen island—all you have to do is mount the shelf and place some bar stools underneath.
2. Narrow Kitchen Island
If your kitchen space is even smaller, consider choosing a narrow and tall table as an alternative to a traditional kitchen island.
This option takes up minimal space, especially when pushed against the wall for additional savings. Simply add two barstools, and voila! You’ve quickly fashioned a kitchen island of your own.
3. Install a Floating Shelf
It’s surprising how simple it can be sometimes! A small floating shelf can indeed serve as a charming kitchen island, don’t you think?
Plus, it’s space-efficient, which is always a bonus, and it adds a nice touch to the overall look. Pair it with some wooden barstools for a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing appearance!
4. Bar Stool Ideas for Kitchen Island
When you’re deciding on barstools for your small kitchen island, go for slimmer ones.
They take up less space than thicker ones, and if they’re a bit smaller too, you can slide them right under the island to save even more room.
Plus, since they’re lightweight, they won’t make your kitchen feel cramped, which is always a good thing!
5. Roll it
Who says your kitchen island has to stay put? Using a freestanding kitchen island is such a smart move when it comes to creating an island.
It’s not only incredibly practical since you can roll it around to fit your needs, but you also get extra storage space.
This can be used for things like plates, mason jars filled with grains, or even just some decorative items to spruce it up.
6. From Dining Table to Kitchen Island
Take the concept of a kitchen island with a grain of creativity! Transforming a dining table into a kitchen island is entirely on the table—no pun intended.
Opting for a taller dining table, much like the one pictured above, exudes more of those kitchen island vibes compared to a lower one.
What makes this one particularly great is the added shelf on the side, offering extra space for storage or stylish decor elements.
7. Small Kitchen Island with Storage
If you’re lucky enough to have a window in your kitchen or have the chance to install one, consider transforming it into a kitchen bar to make the most of the space.
Just install a countertop (or a butcher block as a more affordable option) on the window opening and place two barstools underneath.
It not only looks adorable but is also a practical way to make the most of what you already have.
8. Wall-Mounted Desk
Get creative with your small kitchen island ideas! Consider transforming a wall-mounted desk into an island. Mount it higher up on the wall and pair it with slimmer barstools.
You could even install two smaller desks side by side for a larger island, or go for a bigger desk altogether.
Plus, the great thing is, many of these wall-mounted desks are foldable, so you can easily tuck them away when not in use and save even more space.
9. End of Island Storage
I’m all about maximizing space. Utilizing the end of your kitchen island for extra storage is a brilliant way to make the most of your space.
To achieve this, gather plenty of oversized jars and fill them with grains, pasta, flour, or whatever else you need.
Not only does this provide additional storage, but having your food openly displayed also adds a splash of color to your kitchen!
10. Add Pegboards to Your Kitchen Island
Here’s another brilliant idea for maximizing storage: adding multiple pegboards to your kitchen island. It’s a game-changer for making the most out of your space.
Hang up all your cooking essentials or baskets filled with necessities, and you’ve transformed your kitchen island into the ultimate efficient storage solution.
If you’re curious about how to install these kitchen pegboards, you can find more information in this article.
11. Multifunctional Island Cart
This rolling kitchen island cart from Walmart is like the kitchen island dream, don’t you think? I mean, it pretty much has it all.
There’s the countertop for all your food prep, shelves on each side for extra storage, additional built-in shelves, and they’ve even thrown in a cabinet for your trash bin!
This one might just be the perfect find, haha!
12. Built-in Bookshelf
You might have a bunch of cookbooks lying around—maybe some you haven’t even cracked open yet! But they still need a place to call home, right? 😄
And you know what? Books always make great decor pieces, so even if you’re not using them for recipes, they’ll still add a nice touch to your kitchen island shelves.
If you’re still in the planning stages for your island, think about carving out some space specifically for book storage. It’s a win-win: practical storage and stylish decor all in one!
13. Make Space for The Microwave
Have you ever come across a microwave that you’d call stylish? Yeah, me neither.
So, instead of having it cluttering up your kitchen counter and not adding anything to the aesthetics, why not consider incorporating it into your island?
Not only does this free up valuable counter space, but it also looks better when it’s a bit tucked away.
14. Small Freestanding Kitchen Island
Here’s another option, and it’s even a bit smaller than the one I showed you earlier. So, if you’re looking for a compact solution for your kitchen island, this could be just what you need.
It comes in different colors, like white and grey, and it’s great for adding extra storage. Plus, it’s super flexible—you can roll it around wherever and whenever you need.
And hey, there’s even some space for wine bottles if you’re a wine lover!
15. Small Kitchen Peninsula
In smaller kitchens, placing a peninsula right behind the kitchen is a smart choice. It extends the countertop smoothly, giving you more workspace without taking up extra floor space.
It’s not just practical—it looks great too. Whether you’re prepping ingredients or chatting with guests, a peninsula adds both functionality and charm to your kitchen.
16. Unexpected Storage Items
A fruit basket might not be the initial thought when brainstorming ways to fill space on a kitchen island. Surprisingly, though, it is a wonderful addition. It naturally injects color into your space, which is always a plus, don’t you think?
Here is some inspiration for sprucing up your kitchen cart:
- String lights or fairy lights: Draping string lights or fairy lights around the cart creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for cozy gatherings in the evening.
- Tea or coffee station: Set up a dedicated area on the cart with a variety of teas, coffee beans, mugs, and either a kettle or coffee maker, transforming it into a snug beverage station.
- Artwork or prints: Decorate the sides of the cart with small pieces of artwork or framed prints to give it a personal touch. Alternatively, prop them up on the shelves for added customization.
- Herb garden: Plant herbs in small pots or create a vertical garden on the cart to enhance its aesthetic appeal while also providing fresh ingredients for cooking.
17. Little Coffee Bar Corner
If you’ve already set up a cozy coffee station in your kitchen, why not take it a step further and create a café-like atmosphere? I
nstall a peninsula island beneath the coffee station on the wall and complement it with matching barstools for a cohesive look. It’ll truly feel like stepping into your own little café—isn’t that a dream come true?
I hope these small kitchen island ideas have sparked some inspiration to help you realize your dream of having a kitchen island.
Whether it’s using a floating shelf, repurposing a desk, or investing in a rolling kitchen cart, there are plenty of options to explore.
I hope you’ve found an idea from this list that you can put into action yourself! Let me know if you have a favorite idea. 🙂
This post showed you the best Small Kitchen Island Ideas
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