What Is A Floating Kitchen Island?

The phrase "floating kitchen island" describes several different types of islands.

Floating kitchen islands appear to float because the pedestal holding it up is significantly setback from your eyesight.

Designers and kitchen remodelers are not purists, so some designers consider a floating kitchen island to be "floating" if its countertop extends beyond the base, allowing for convenient seating at high chairs. Some slap the name on rolling cabinets or portable islands that can move about the kitchen for easy storage and use.  Portable kitchen islands are not the same as floating kitchen islands, which may seem confusing as both seem to imply the same thing, but are actually quite different.  Portable islands can move about, whereas floating islands are stationary, but appear to have no legs.

Others limit the term to cabinetry with a deep toe kick area, while some simply contrast the finish of the pedestal portion with the main cabinets to give a floating effect. 

There are general guidelines for designing and installing kitchen islands, whatever the variety or name. Clearances are crucial for a successful floating kitchen island:

• No more than 54 inches from island to kitchen countertops

• A pathway of 48 inches (ideally) but no less than 36 inches on all sides of the island

• Length of 60 inches for food prep alone; add a sink and it needs a minimum length of 78 inches

• If the floating kitchen island contains a dishwasher or will be placed opposite an existing one, measure door height carefully to allow for full swing down without hitting anything

• Similarly, the island opposite a refrigerator door must be set back enough to allow for easy passage around the open door

Pedestal support for the floating kitchen island can provide solid support for two-tiered cabinetry. A work surface of 42 inches for food preparation or plating can take the bulk of the island's width, with a higher (48 inches), narrow counter for a dining area.

For pedestal support to work, the pedestal itself needs to be set back from the vertical faces of the cabinetry enough so that it is not readily visible when near the island. This means, too, the island must be of sufficient width that the much smaller pedestal footprint is still adequately large to fully support the floating kitchen island.

The recessed space can accommodate dramatic downlighting, helping to deepen the illusion of suspension or floating. The same effect can be seen using strip lighting and LED spotlights. The additional LED lighting is also practical, since it can serve as a nightlight for midnight snacking without using significant power. 

Another clever way to give the illusion of a floating kitchen island is by mounting the countertop on a mirrored cabinet. Contrasting materials can also create a trick of the eye, such as white marble countertops appearing to float above natural wood floors. Trendy and cool, these areas would still provide a handy spot for informal dining. 

If the available space cannot allow for a pedestal floating kitchen island, a rolling cabinet may work. Here the carpenter creates the illusion of a permanent piece by hiding, or minimizing, the wheels that allow the island to move. Ready-made rolling islands with dark wheels are best, giving the illusion of a floating kitchen island.