Do You Need Two Kitchen Islands? Experts Weigh the Pros and Cons

The kitchen island is the lifeline of your space. It might double as a kitchen table, a buffet, a homework station, or even a desk when you’re working from home. Historically, the island was added to bridge the gap between the stove and the sink or the refrigerator and the pantry, serving as the third point in the traditional triangle layout. It’s intended to level up a kitchen, providing extra countertop space, seating, and storage to make it more functional. But what happens when one hardworking surface isn’t enough? Enter: Double kitchen islands.

Lately, we’ve been seeing more designers opt for not one but two kitchen islands. Whether positioned parallel to each other, in an L-shape, or end to end, double kitchen islands are the latest kitchen trend. Of course, in order to have double islands, you need to have a lot of space. Two islands just don’t make sense in an apartment or small home; whatever countertop space or storage they might add would be offset by the traffic jam they’d cause. However, if you have the square footage and want an additional serving station, a separate island for seating, or more storage, they might be the perfect solution. We’re here to help you determine if a double kitchen island is the right kitchen layout choice for your space.

What Are the Benefits of Having Two Kitchen Islands?

Extra Storage

Having an island with seating can take up valuable storage space, and vice versa. Two islands can eliminate the need to compromise. Designer Tanya Smith-Shiflett opted for a two-level, side-by-side double island layout. The taller one is designed for food prep and storage, with a multitude of drawers and a tall cabinet. The lower one is for rolling out pastry and bread dough. (Any baker knows that the more downward force you have while doing this task, the better.) The marble top ensures minimal sticking and easy cleanup.

Any home cook knows you can never have enough counter space. But when your outer kitchen counters are covered in small appliances and cookbooks, the island becomes your de facto worktop. To create the high-functioning space seen above for her culinary clients, designer Amy Knerr included two prep islands instead of one. Placing the sink on the inside, between them, allows for easy food prep without having to walk to the other side of the room.

Room to Entertain

When designing this California kitchen, Lindye Galloway needed to create space for the kids to hang out while the parents cook dinner. The marble waterfall island has cabinets on two of the four sides, including extra-deep ones for cookware, and a prep sink on top, right across from the stove. The second island is a counter-height table complete with eight stools that borders the family room and breakfast nook. “They’ve got three kids and wanted their home to be the hangout house,” Galloway says. It’s a casual dining spot that can double as a serving buffet for larger gatherings.

Double Island Pros

• Extra storage
• More seating capacity
• Additional prep space
• Easier layout to navigate

Double Island Cons

• Bulky
• Can limit layout possibilities
• More surface area to clean and maintain

Are Two Islands Worth It?

For people whose kitchens are bursting at the seams and desperately need more surface area and storage, a double island can be life-changing. Ideal for homes with large kitchens and ample square footage, the feature can also help fill the space and create a more comprehensive design. It can be a smart way to partially zone off an open-concept kitchen slash living room.

However, a double island isn’t for everyone. In standard kitchens, usually, one island is enough. And unless you’re hosting dozens of people every week, that amount of prep space or seating isn’t necessary for daily living. Having two islands also increases the cost of your kitchen renovation because you’ll need to purchase twice as much stone, wood, and hardware. It’s important to think about the upkeep and additional cleaning required.