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Island or a Peninsula

If given the choice of kitchen layouts, most homeowners desire an island above all else. Islands are great if you've got the room. They create extra space for work, storage, and a place for family and friends to hang out while being out of the cook's way.
But sometimes a peninsula is a better solution. It has circulation on three sides, vs. the island's four, with one end usually attached to a wall. Sure, there's the kind of peninsula you commonly see in a U-shaped kitchen , but there are a few others that will have you doing a double take. After seeing these kitchens you may put a peninsula at the top of your wish list:

eclectic kitchen by Soorikian Architecture

You can still mix countertop materials when you have a peninsula rather than and island. Here the butcher block top doubles as a prep area and snack counter.

eclectic kitchen by Ken Levenson Architect P.C.

My personal favorite expression of the peninsula is the one that's attached to a perpendicular wall, without any cabinets on that wall. It looks like an island; the only difference is that there's no walkway on one end, and this can often translate into more counterspace and better circulation. For smaller kitchens, this is a great solution. When you have to carve out at least 36 inches on both sides of the island, that really eats into your real estate. If you're looking for a more spacious circulation path, this is the way to go.
Tip: To get this look, where a peninsula looks more like an island, resist the desire to put cabinets on either side on the perpendicular wall or even above the counter.

traditional kitchen by 1 2 1 S T U D i O . C O M

An alternatve layout to this kitchen might be an L-shape with an island turned the opposite way of the peninsula shown. To do this, you would have to raise the sill height and change out the window in order to fit base cabinets below. If you want to avoid doing exterior work like this, then a peninsula like this is a terrific solution.

eclectic kitchen by Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

Because of the extra circulation space created by doing a peninsula, you can often add another seat to the end of the counter.
Tip: To get this more asymmetrical look, don't make the peninsula the same length as the cabinet wall behind. Hold it in a bit and give yourself a bit more room for an extra stool.

modern kitchen by Michael Merrill Design Studio, Inc

Here you can really see how much space is gained by connecting this peninsula to the wall. If this were an island with circulation on both sides, that wine refrigerator would have to go, plus some. The top, without any counter space on the right of the sink, would be too small to for a comfortable workspace.

modern kitchen by Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

In this L-shape kitchen , the decision to do a peninsula over an island solved so many problems. There's more space in front of the range, more counter space, and a better sense of separation between the kitchen and family-room/sitting area (see more next).

eclectic family room by Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

Here's the same kitchen from the opposite view. The peninsula helps to define the kitchen as a separate space for the family room/sitting area.

traditional kitchen by Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

Here's a different approach. This kitchen was too small for an island, but making it a galley would have wasted quite a bit of space in the center. The solution was to bump out a small peninsula off the main sink, giving the cook much needed extra counter space. This peninsula also is home to an under-counter freezer and allowed the homeowner to do a full, all-refrigerator unit. This small peninsula also has enough of an overhang for someone to pull up a stool on the other side.

traditional kitchen by Mahoney Architects & Interiors

Working on a similar premise but in a larger kitchen, this peninsula helps to define the room and add counter space. It's a perfect example of a kitchen that's just a little too narrow for a full-size island.

contemporary kitchen by Jodi Feinhor-Dennis

Even the smallest peninsula can be well worth the effort. This kitchen wouldn't have any seating if it weren't for this clever addition.

traditional kitchen by Home Systems , Wendi Zampino

This L-shaped kitchen has a spot for a few stools and adds much needed counterspace.

traditional kitchen by Moroso Construction

The classic U-shaped kitchen with a peninsula. This keeps the cook in his or her domain, and everyone else out of the way (technically). A banquette on the back of the peninsula creates table seating rather than counter stool seating.

2014/3/19

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