The island kitchen: everything you need to know
The island is a powerful architectural element that immediately attracts attention and becomes the central focus around which the modern kitchen is designed. In each of its variations, the island embodies the fundamental values of Italian design: a balance between form and function, meticulous attention to detail, and the capacity to transform everyday gestures into authentic moments of quality.
This article explores how to design a kitchen with an island to create a space that becomes the true heart of your home—a place for shared experiences.
Table of contents
Ideal island dimensions
The ideal island dimensions are those that allow for a functional and pleasant space. Optimal length varies greatly, from 150 to 270 centimeters, with custom options available. Depth typically ranges from 90 to 120 centimeters, always adapted to the room's overall proportions.
To properly integrate this element, plan for walkways of at least 90 cm on each side. Where doors or drawers open, a 120 cm clearance is recommended to ensure natural, fluid movement.
The island in open-plan and enclosed layouts
In open-plan environments, the island connects the kitchen with adjacent living areas. This central position creates a smooth transition that encourages social interaction and shared moments. It transforms food preparation into a convivial act.
In more traditional, enclosed kitchens, the island serves as the organizational hub, optimizing workflow. Strategically placed at the center, it reduces movement between work zones and enhances ergonomic design. The island adds valuable surface area and brings a professional touch into the domestic kitchen.
The island thus becomes the everyday gathering point—a meeting space where the kitchen's functional and social dimensions merge.
Island configurations
A kitchen with an island is more than a place to prepare meals—it’s a dynamic setting that expresses identity and hosts cherished moments. At the center of this space, the worktop becomes the stage where prep, cooking, and daily life converge.
During the preparation of meals, the island provides extra space for placing utensils and ingredients, while in between it lends itself to quick meals or as a surface for study or work. This versatility reflects the demands of contemporary life, where spaces acquire different meanings and adapt to daily activities.
Worktop as a Preparation Area
In any configuration, the island offers additional workspace. It allows for the precise organization of ingredients, better handling of utensils, and a smoother workflow. Its central position guarantees accessibility and easy, flowing movements.
Integration of the Cooktop
Placing the cooktop on the island makes cooking the focal point of the kitchen. This configuration transforms the cooking process into a social act, keeping the person cooking in close visual and verbal contact with the rest of the household.
Integration of the Sink
Including a sink in the island completes the operational workflow, making everyday tasks more intuitive and efficient. It improves how space is used and supports cleanliness. From an aesthetic standpoint, the open position of the sink contributes to a sense of openness and fluidity.
Island with Integrated Table
Combining an island with a table creates a multifunctional space for preparing meals, sitting down with family, or hosting guests. It is an elegant and informal solution that makes optimal use of available space while maintaining distinct functions.
Personalizing the island means starting from real needs and translating them into a consistent and functional vision.
Whether used as a preparation surface, equipped with a sink or cooktop, or paired with a table, the island always contributes to the creation of a harmonious environment where practicality and beauty coexist. This multifunctionality enhances the kitchen experience and transforms the space into a place of living.
Materials: character and resistance
The choice of materials for the island’s surface defines both its visual identity and functional performance. Marble offers wide aesthetic variety, stainless steel brings the rigor of professional kitchens, and solid wood adds warmth and timeless elegance.
The finish becomes a point of dialogue or contrast with the kitchen’s overall architecture, depending on the intended visual impact. Each material conveys a narrative and meets specific functional needs, turning personal taste into concrete choices.
Storage and organization
The island is also a strategic storage element. It can feature drawers, compartments, or shelves accessible from multiple sides to maximize every available centimeter. Interior organization should be designed to suit individual habits and support everyday practicality.
Full-extension drawers guarantee complete visibility and easy access. Concealed doors allow integration of appliances such as dishwashers or drawer refrigerators, keeping the exterior neat and tidy.
Technical solutions: ventilation and lighting
When the island houses a cooktop, the issue of ventilation must be addressed. Current solutions include suspended hoods with a strong design presence, retractable devices, or integrated downdraft extractors that meet visual, acoustic, and functional criteria.
Lighting also plays a decisive role. It can be decorative—through pendant fixtures that define the area—or technical, through adjustable spotlights that ensure precision. Combining different types of lighting allows modulation of the ambiance according to practical or emotional needs.
Conclusion: the island as an expression of contemporary living
The kitchen island is no longer a simple work surface but has become the true center of modern home life. It promotes interaction, fluidity, and the pleasure of preparing food. Choosing an island means reshaping the space according to one’s rhythms, needs, and aspirations.
To bring your kitchen island to life, explore Berloni’s proposals. Our projects are born from the belief that every detail contributes to creating an environment that is welcoming, practical, and harmonious—capable of evolving with those who inhabit it.
It is not only a question of choosing finishes or materials, but of imagining a kitchen that mirrors your way of life. Book an appointment with a Berloni designer and start creating the kitchen with island you’ve always envisioned.
Explore the Berloni Catalogue and find out how to create your kitchen.
