Construction of a 144 sqm bungalow in Fichtenwalde (near Potsdam)

I have a question about the kitchen. How large should an island be and how much space should there be between the island and the cabinets? We have a 3.95m x 3.80m kitchen. We want to extend the left side (no seating area) and are considering placing an island. Between the cabinets on the right and left (assuming 60cm width) there will be 2.60m of space. I was thinking of an island about 1m wide and approximately 1.60-1.80m long. This would leave about 80cm of walkway space around the island. Is that enough?

80 cm is quite tight but still doable if you just want to pass through. The problem could be that the passage is blocked when the dishwasher door is open. So I would think that over carefully and probably go for a 90 cm island if it really has to be. It’s best if you take a look at it in the kitchen studio. It would probably make more sense to only have an L plus island, which can also be deeper. That then compensates for some of the U base cabinets.

80 cm is already very tight but still doable if you just want to walk through. The problem could be that with the dishwasher door open, the passage is blocked. So I would think about it carefully and probably rather go for a 90 cm island if it really has to be done. The best thing is to take a look at it in the kitchen studio.

It would probably make more sense to only set an L plus island, which can then also be deeper. That would compensate for some of the U-base cabinets.

We are still in the exploratory phase :-) We can also imagine a U-shaped kitchen and a small (4-person) table in the middle.

a small (4-person table) in the middle

In the middle of the U? Never. Doesn’t fit. Besides, it would then be exactly on the shortest path from one kitchen cabinet to the other.

Man, it's really annoying when you want to change plans now and things get really tight – I still remember that so many people advised you to do this…

That will leave about 80cm passageways between the island. Is that enough?

I think 80 is too little when it comes to kitchen and cabinets. The doors will then be quite bulky and you’ll feel cramped.

We are still in the discovery phase :) We can also imagine a U-shaped kitchen and a small (4-person) table in the middle

With a table it would be similar, even tighter, because someone would be sitting there. Then nothing would work anymore. I can’t quite follow your room measurements, but keep in mind that these are raw construction measurements. Later, some centimeters will be lost. Also, kitchen cabinets aren’t necessarily flush with the wall. For a closed, not oversized kitchen, 90cm depth should be enough. Otherwise, it gets too bulky. Surely you have already calculated your necessary running meters and cabinet space – maybe you can manage with an L-shape? Or take the room “across” again? …move the door to the pantry.. however, it must also be pointed out that U-shaped or two-row kitchens with a central island defeat ergonomics if not everything is on one side. You’d also have to walk around a table.

Man, it’s really annoying when you want to change your plans now and it gets really tight – I can still remember that so many people advised you on this…
I consider 80 too little when it comes to kitchen and cabinets. The doors then become quite bulky and you end up cramped.

It would be similar with a table, even tighter, because someone will be sitting there. Then nothing works anymore.
I can’t quite follow your room measurements, but keep in mind these are raw construction dimensions. Later, you lose a few centimeters.
Also, kitchen cabinets don’t necessarily sit flush against the wall. For a closed, not oversized kitchen, 90 cm depth should be enough. Otherwise, it becomes too bulky. Surely you’ve already calculated your needed linear meters and cabinet space – maybe you can manage with an L? Or take the room “crosswise” again? …move the door to the pantry… however, it must also be pointed out that a U or two-liner with a centered island messes with ergonomics if everything isn’t on one side. You’d also have to walk around a table.

Maybe many want bigger kitchens, but we don’t belong to them. 15 sqm (raw construction size, yes) is completely sufficient, even very big for us. Now it’s time to make the best out of it.

The floor plan is fixed. We don’t want to wait another 9 months.