Should you choose a kitchen island or a breakfast bar? These are the key differences, plus which is best

Designing a kitchen is never an easy feat, whether it's a colour scheme or layout to decide on, it can feel like a mammoth task. Choosing between a kitchen island vs a breakfast bar is no simple task, but kitchen design experts are on and to help guide you through the process.

Kitchen island ideas have quickly become one of the most desirable features to have in your cooking space. They're a spot to socialise around, somewhere to casually dine and crucially, a space for extra storage and appliances. But what happens if an island won't fit in your physical space or budget?

This is where breakfast bar ideas come in - the kitchen island's younger sister, it's the perfect compromise for small kitchen ideas or those who don't want to lose as much floor space. Neither an island nor a breakfast bar are better than the other, they're simply just better in different circumstances.

I've spoken to the experts to the experts to figure out the core differences, and which would suit your new kitchen.

Kitchen island vs breakfast bar

'Both kitchen islands and breakfast bars, also known as peninsula kitchens, can transform how a space looks and functions - it all comes down to how the kitchen is used on a daily basis,' explains Josie Medved, design manager at Symphony Group Plc and Laura Ashley Kitchens.

Before you begin planning whether to include an island or breakfast bar, you'll need to assess what it is that you want to achieve with your kitchen layout. Do you need a sociable space for a growing family? If you have a separate seating and dining room, do you need the extra storage that an island provides, or is it best to leave more floor space?

Considering how your lifestyle and a kitchen overlap will allow you to assess whether an island or a breakfast bar would be best for your space.

Breakfast bar - pros and cons

A breakfast bar differs from an island in that it is connected to a wall or other kitchen cabinets. Rather than a separate entity in the middle of the room, a breakfast bar is essentially your regular worktop in your kitchen layout, with room for seating around it.

If you're short on space or have an awkward kitchen layout, it's a simple way of creating a casual seating spot without taking up extra room.

'If space is tighter, a breakfast bar could be the perfect alternative. Because it extends from existing cabinetry, it offers many of the same benefits as an island, like extra worktop space and seating, without needing as much floor area,' echoes Josie Medved.

'It also creates a natural divide between the kitchen and living or dining area, making it a great option for broken-plan homes where some separation is required. The main downside is that they don’t quite give the same freedom of movement or impact as an island does, since one side is attached to the wall or units.'

If you're looking to improve the flow of your kitchen then a breakfast bar might not be what you're looking for. A peninsula provides the perfect opportunity for adding casual seating that means family members can sit and chat while someone is cooking, but this is the main benefit.

For those looking to majorly increase storage and find another way to incorporate appliances, a kitchen island might be the answer.

Kitchen island - pros and cons

As the name suggests, a kitchen island is a unit that typically sits in the middle of the space away from the main wall cabinetry. If you have a larger room then it's the perfect way to fill it, creating a naturally flowing and ergonomic cooking space that works just as well for entertaining.

'For those working with more space an island naturally offers greater variety - not only does it provide ample storage and prep space for cooking, but it's also ideal for multigenerational living and can serve as a workspace, play area, and social hub where friends and family gravitate throughout the day,' explains Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr.

An island also offers much more versatility when it comes to making it your own. If you need ample seating for a large family then you can opt for a square island with stools around multiple sides. Alternatively, if you want to position your hob centrally to make it easier to socialise while cooking, you can also play around with where your appliances sit.

'A welcome divide in a large open-plan kitchen, an island will anchor a design and draw the eye to where the action takes place. Often a homely and personal area of the kitchen, the island is a place where you can display flowers, arrange your favourite cookbooks, and most importantly entertain and cook,' adds Al.

An island is a wholly practical space that is really useful for additional storage, seating, and day-to-day functionality, but as Al said, it's stylish too.

As an island sits in the middle of the space and is smaller than your main cabinetry, it's the perfect opportunity for trying out a bolder colour. Kitchen island trends will instantly revamp your kitchen and they mean you don't have to commit to a complete scheme in that style.

Final word

The only right answer to the question of which is best is that it depends on your wants and needs. If you're grappling with a smaller cooking space then a peninsula breakfast bar will be just what you need for adding a tiny bit of casual seating.

Alternatively, if you're designing a larger family kitchen with the space available then a kitchen island would be highly beneficial. It often becomes the centre of daily life with bags dropped on bar stools and homework flung on the worktop, creating a sociable spot for everyone to gather around.

Are you leaning towards an island or a breakfast bar? Which would work in your home?