How much space do I need between counters or around an island?
June 18, 2025
Creating a kitchen that’s both functional and stylish begins with the right balance of space. At Kembla Kitchens in Wollongong, we know that the layout can truly make or break the functionality of your kitchen, especially when it comes to spacing between counters and islands.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key considerations for optimal kitchen spacing, tailored to Australian homes. Whether you’re working with a compact apartment kitchen or a spacious family home, these insights will help you create a space that’s both practical and visually appealing, with a focus on the unique needs of the Illawarra region.
Recommended Clearances for Kitchen Layouts
When it comes to designing a kitchen, striking the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics is key. At Kembla Kitchens, we know that the layout of your kitchen plays a significant role in how comfortable and efficient your space will be. Proper clearance between counters and around kitchen islands is essential for ensuring smooth movement and ease of use. Below, we’ll guide you through the ideal clearances for optimal kitchen layouts, with a focus on Australian homes and the unique needs of the Illawarra region.
General Rule: 900mm to 1,200mm Between Opposing Counters or Around Islands
The space between opposing counters or around your kitchen island can drastically affect your kitchen's functionality. Whether you have a compact space or a sprawling open-plan layout, the ideal clearance typically falls between 900mm and 1,200mm. Here’s a breakdown of the considerations within this range:
900mm Clearance (Minimum Recommended)
Ideal for small or galley-style kitchens, particularly in Australian apartments or townhouses where space is limited.
Pros: Allows for basic kitchen functions—cooking, washing dishes, and food prep—without wasted space.
Cons: Tight for multi-tasking, especially in kitchens where two people might work at once. Limited room for movement around open drawers or appliances.
Best for: Compact spaces or kitchens with minimal traffic.
1,000–1,200mm Clearance (Recommended for Larger Kitchens)
Provides ample space for easy navigation, ensuring the kitchen feels open and spacious even in busier homes.
Pros: More comfortable flow, especially if you frequently entertain or have a large family. It accommodates multiple people working together without crowding.
Cons: Requires a larger kitchen area to maintain this spacing without sacrificing storage or work surfaces.
Best for: Open-plan kitchens or homes in suburban areas where space is not as restrictive. Ideal for larger households or those who cook together often.
Consideration for One-Person vs Two-Person Use
Your kitchen's design should reflect how many people use it regularly. If it's just one person doing most of the cooking or a larger family cooking together, adjusting the clearance can greatly improve the experience.
One-Person Use:
Recommended Clearance: 900mm to 1,000mm.
Perfect for smaller kitchens, where the main goal is to maximise every inch of space without unnecessary open areas. This clearance allows for smooth cooking and minimal movement, making it a practical choice for single cooks.
Pros: Maximises usable space, allowing the kitchen to feel more efficient.
Best for: Smaller homes, apartments, or anyone who doesn't need to multitask in the kitchen.
Two-Person Use (or More)
Recommended Clearance: 1,000mm to 1,200mm or more.
If you have a partner who often shares the kitchen with you, or if you enjoy cooking meals together, extra space makes a big difference. With more room, you can both move around without getting in each other’s way.
Pros: Encourages collaboration in the kitchen without feeling cramped. Provides enough room for multiple users to access different work zones (e.g., prep area, and sink)
Best for: Families, households where multiple cooks work at once, or those who often entertain guests.
By tailoring your kitchen’s layout to your lifestyle, whether you’re a solo cook or frequently share the space with others, you’ll create a kitchen that’s both functional and enjoyable to use.
Special Considerations Around Kitchen Islands
A kitchen island is the centrepiece of many Australian homes—both in style and function. But to truly maximise its benefits, the space around it needs to be carefully planned. Whether you're adding extra seating or simply need more room for movement, here’s what you should consider.
Appliance Clearance
When designing around a kitchen island, it’s vital to consider the space needed for essential kitchen appliances like fridges, ovens, and dishwashers. Adequate clearance ensures these appliances can operate efficiently, safely, and comfortably.
Fridge Clearance
A fridge is an essential part of any kitchen, and you need to ensure there’s enough room for the doors to open fully without obstruction.
Recommended Clearance: At least 800mm to 900mm in front of the fridge.
Why It Matters: Not only does this space make accessing the fridge easier, but it also ensures proper airflow, which is essential for the fridge’s efficiency and longevity. This is especially crucial in homes with open-plan kitchens, where space is often shared.
Oven Doors
Whether you have a traditional drop-down oven or a side-opening model, the clearance around the oven is crucial for both safety and ease of use.
Recommended Clearance: A minimum of 900mm in front of the oven.
Why It Matters: This extra space allows you to safely remove hot trays, pots, and pans without bumping into surrounding counters or walls, and it prevents the risk of burns or spills. This clearance also accommodates oven doors that swing open fully.
Dishwasher Access
Dishwashers often sit next to the sink or kitchen island, and you need to ensure there’s enough space to open the door fully for easy loading and unloading.
Recommended Clearance: 800mm to 900mm in front of the dishwasher.
Why It Matters: This ensures that dishes can be placed in or removed from the dishwasher comfortably, especially in busy kitchens where multiple people might be moving around. This is especially important in Australian kitchens, where functionality and space-saving are key.
Seating Space
Kitchen islands are not only functional but can also serve as a casual dining area, breakfast bar, or a space for entertaining. To make sure the island is comfortable and practical for seating, consider the following:
Per-Person Space
To create a comfortable seating arrangement at the kitchen island, ensure each person has enough space to eat, work, or socialise.
Recommended Clearance: Allow 600mm per person.
Why It Matters: This gives each person enough space to eat and move around comfortably without feeling cramped. It’s especially important in Australian homes, where kitchens are often the heart of the house and serve as multi-functional spaces.
Legroom Behind Stools
It's not just about how much space is available in front of the seating; the space behind the stools is just as important for comfort and ease of movement.
Recommended Clearance: At least 900mm behind stools.
Why It Matters: This ensures that people can move around the island and pull out chairs without any restrictions. It also allows individuals to walk behind seated guests without disrupting their comfort.
Safe Walking and Working Areas
A well-designed kitchen doesn’t just look good—it also allows for efficient movement and workflow. The space between your kitchen island and surrounding cabinetry or walls plays a significant role in ensuring safety and ease of use.
Clearance Between Island and Cabinetry
You want to make sure there’s enough space for people to move freely around the island while accessing work zones, drawers, and appliances.
Recommended Clearance: 1,000mm to 1,200mm between the island and cabinetry or walls.
Why It Matters: This ensures a smooth traffic flow, preventing overcrowding in busy kitchens. It also helps accommodate multiple people working in the kitchen, especially in Australian homes where families or guests often gather around the kitchen island.
Working Space
A kitchen island isn’t just a place to eat or socialise—it can also serve as a key work zone for food prep, cooking, and cleaning.
Why It Matters: To ensure the island supports your kitchen workflow, make sure it’s positioned to maintain a practical work triangle between the sink, stove, and fridge.
Tip: Ensure there’s ample counter space for meal preparation, and consider adding storage options to keep the island organised.
By paying attention to these key considerations, you’ll not only ensure that your kitchen island adds to the visual appeal of your space but also enhances its overall functionality and efficiency. Whether you're cooking for a family or entertaining guests, thoughtful planning will make your kitchen island the perfect centrepiece of your home.
When to Adjust These Measurements
Designing a kitchen in the Illawarra region requires understanding when and how to adjust standard spacing for counters and islands to meet the needs of your space. While the common recommendation is to allow at least 1.2 metres (approximately 4 feet) between kitchen counters or around an island, some homes—especially in older or more compact areas—may require adjustments. Whether you're working with a cosy apartment or a spacious open-plan home, here are key scenarios when modifying these measurements can enhance your kitchen’s functionality.
Small Kitchens: Maximising Space Efficiency
Space can be a premium in smaller kitchens, especially in older homes or compact apartments, common in Australia’s urban areas. In these situations, it's often necessary to reduce spacing to make the best use of available room. Here are some effective strategies:
Compact Appliances
Tip: Choose smaller, multi-functional appliances that fit into tight spaces while still offering full capabilities.
Why It Works: This allows you to reduce the clearance between counters and islands to as little as 90cm (3 feet) without sacrificing kitchen functionality. Compact appliances like under-bench dishwashers, slim fridges, and dual-purpose cooktops can help maintain a clean and efficient workflow.
Sliding or Pocket Doors
Tip: Install sliding or pocket doors instead of traditional swing doors.
Why It Works: These space-saving doors eliminate the need for large clearance areas around doorways, allowing you to place counters and islands closer together, which is ideal in small kitchens. This helps maximise every inch of your kitchen without feeling cramped.
Why It Works: These elements can offer additional workspace when needed, then neatly tuck away to create more space when not in use. Perfect for smaller kitchens where versatility is key.
Open-Plan Designs: Balancing Space and Cohesion
In larger, open-plan kitchens, especially common in modern Australian homes, the challenge shifts to creating a seamless flow while balancing the need for sufficient space. Open layouts allow for larger gaps, but it’s important to maintain a cohesive design.
Visual Continuity
Tip: Use consistent materials, finishes, and colour schemes across the kitchen and adjoining areas.
Why it Works: Maintaining visual continuity between kitchen elements and the living or dining area can help make larger spaces (up to 1.5 metres, 5 feet) feel more integrated. The space will feel expansive, but still connected.
Zoning Techniques
Tip: Use furniture, lighting, rugs, or floor treatments to subtly define different zones within the space.
Why It Works: This method allows you to create distinct functional areas without a hard divide. It makes it easier to maintain a balance between spaciousness and intimacy, while also ensuring that the flow isn’t disrupted.
Centralised Islands
Tip: Make the kitchen island a central feature of the open-plan design.
Why It Works: In an open-plan kitchen, a well-placed island can serve as a natural focal point, providing enough space for movement while complementing the overall layout. Ensure the island is proportionate to the space to maintain comfortable circulation around it.
Accessibility Considerations: Inclusive Design for All
Designing a kitchen that is inclusive and accessible to all, whether for elderly family members, people with mobility aids, or parents with young children, is essential. Here’s how to tailor your kitchen’s spacing for accessibility:
Adequate Pathways
Tip: Ensure pathways are wide enough to comfortably accommodate wheelchairs, prams, or walkers.
Why It Works: A minimum of 1.5 metres (5 feet) of clearance between the island and counters is ideal. This provides enough room for easy navigation, particularly when turning corners or manoeuvring large items.
Height Adjustments
Tip: Consider adjustable-height counters or islands that can be easily raised or lowered.
Why It Works: Adjustable heights cater to varying needs, such as those with limited mobility or people who prefer sitting while cooking. This is particularly important in creating a kitchen that’s functional for everyone, regardless of age or physical ability.
Lever Handles and Touch Controls
Tip: Install lever handles or touch-operated appliances instead of traditional knobs.
Why It Works: These features are easier to use for individuals with limited hand strength or dexterity, making the kitchen more user-friendly. Whether you're designing for elderly family members or just looking for added convenience, these simple adjustments can significantly improve usability.
Designing the perfect kitchen requires a careful balance of functionality, style, and practical considerations, particularly when it comes to spacing around counters and islands. Whether you're working with a cosy, compact space or designing a spacious, open-plan area, understanding when and how to adjust standard measurements can make all the difference in creating a kitchen that works for your lifestyle. By considering factors such as appliance clearance, seating space, and accessibility, you can design a kitchen that not only looks stunning but also enhances your daily routine.
