Yes, You Can Put a Kitchen Island Into a Tiny Space—Here's How (2025)

It's easy to dismiss the idea of adding an island to your already compact kitchen if it's lacking in square footage, but we're going to suggest that's exactly what you should do. As long as you don't eliminate essential walkways, small kitchen islands can significantly enhance the design and functionality of your cooking space. They provide additional countertop work areas and storage opportunities, which are incredibly valuable in tight quarters.

There are a multitude of creative solutions available, from portable islands with wheels to multifunctional islands that double as dining tables or prep stations. Small kitchen islands can incorporate features like built-in shelves, pull-out drawers, and even appliances, making the most of every inch of space. To help you better visualize how one of these multipurpose features can fit into your space, we've compiled 35 small kitchen island ideas, all from designer-approved spaces. Whether you want your kitchen to feel more spacious or you're happy to embrace its cozy dimensions, these small kitchen island ideas are here to meet your needs.

For more kitchen inspiration:

• 60 Small Kitchen Ideas That Maximize Your Space in Style
• Editor-Approved Appliances and Cookware From Wayfair
• 60 Stylish Kitchen Cabinet Ideas for Every Design Aesthetic

In this Georgia kitchen, designer and member of the 2024 Next Wave class Jerel Lake had to find clever ways to add storage, so he chose to install a small kitchen island with numerous apothecary-style drawers. The multiuse drawers include a docking station for recharging phones, specially designed storage for heavy Dutch ovens, and built-in steel canisters to keep side dishes warm.

When designer Kelly Cook of Orangerie Home was tasked with renovating this small kitchen, she chose only dark colors for the cabinets, floor, and ceiling. Doing so made the space feel larger, she explains, because sticking within a similar, darker color palette eliminates many of the shadows. Choosing an island that also fits this palette helps make the overall kitchen feel bigger.

The size of your island doesn't matter too much when you make it interesting to look at. Think of it like a statement piece—that's what designer Fitzhugh Karol from the Brooklyn Home Company did in this 400-square-foot studio apartment. Karol hand-carved this small kitchen island from fallen oak and cherry logs.

In designer Reena Ravi's home kitchen, she put her small kitchen island on wheels to up the versatility factor. “Since the kitchen, dining, and living area are all one space, the rolling island can be pushed aside when more space is needed,” she explains.

In a kitchen outfitted in one prominent color, make your small kitchen island idea stand out by choosing (or painting it) a contrasting hue. It can still match the overall vibe like this muted gray island, chosen by Celia Bryson for Sophie Donelson's kitchen.

Want to make your small kitchen island look larger? Choose a monochromatic color scheme to match its surroundings. Designer Molly Singer went with a bold green—Solitary Tree by Behr, to be precise—for this kitchen's island, cabinets, and window trim.

In a tiny space, everything has to pull double duty. For instance, if your small kitchen island doubles as your dining area, choose a table with a countertop that's fit for an island, so you can dinner-prep and dine right on the same surface. Weeth Home made the elegant custom table pictured, and it's ready for any task.

While many small kitchen islands are permanent home features, you can easily put casters on a beloved vintage find to increase its versatility. Designer Lynn Kloythanomsup picked up this antique Swedish butcher block for this small San Francisco kitchen—its wheels make it easy to move around the space or relocate if the homeowners decide to leave.

This skinny island is long and relatively basic apart from the decorative panels on its front. Without these accents, it would be easy to overlook a small kitchen island like this. However, adding those extra decorative elements transforms the piece, making it much more visually appealing.