Kitchen Islands & Layouts:
Why Open-Concept Still Wins (and How It’s Evolving)

A client-focused look at today’s most popular kitchen remodel move — and how to plan it right.

DSC | January 29, 2026

If you’ve been thinking about a kitchen remodel, you’re not alone — and you’re probably thinking the same two words most homeowners say first: “open it up.” Just as common is the next request: “and add an island.”

That combination isn’t just a trend; it’s become the default playbook for improving how a kitchen looks, stores, and functions day-to-day. In Houzz’s 2026 U.S. Kitchen Trends Study, nearly 3 in 5 renovating homeowners (58%) either add a kitchen island or update the one they already have.¹

And islands aren’t just bigger countertops anymore. Among homeowners upgrading an island, more than half (53%) add at least one appliance into it — most commonly a dishwasher (35%) or microwave (32%).¹

The data behind the island boom

Houzz’s 2026 findings put clear numbers behind what we’re seeing in the field:¹

• Islands are in the scope: 58% add or update an island during a kitchen remodel — split evenly between adding new (29%) and upgrading existing (29%).¹
• Bigger is common: among upgraded islands, 52% exceed 7 feet in length (30% are 6–7 feet).¹
• “Multi-functional” is real: 53% install at least one new appliance in the island; dishwashers (35%) and microwaves (32%) lead, followed by cooktops (15%).¹

These aren’t small changes. When an island gets longer, gains seating, and starts housing plumbing or appliances, it shifts the entire kitchen layout — which is exactly why it’s so valuable when it’s planned well.

Why islands work so well in open layouts

Open-concept kitchens look simple on Pinterest: fewer walls, more light, and everyone can hang out while someone cooks. But the real benefit is functional: an open kitchen needs a “center” that organizes movement, storage, and activity. That’s what the island becomes.

A well-designed island can:

• Add the prep space you wish you had (without taking away perimeter landing zones).
• Create storage exactly where you work — deep drawers for pots and pans, pull-outs, trash/recycling, or serving storage on the guest side.
• Let the cook face the room (instead of turning their back to family or guests).
• Define the kitchen boundary in an open plan — keeping the space connected without feeling like the kitchen has “taken over” the home.

The storage advantage: counters are not storage

Most kitchens don’t actually need “more space.” They need space that works. When small appliances, mail, pet food, and random daily-life items live on the countertop, the kitchen feels smaller than it is.

An island is one of the cleanest ways to give a kitchen back its counters. It adds square footage of storage without committing you to tall cabinetry everywhere, and it can be designed to hide the mess while keeping the everyday tools close.

The best part: island storage is flexible. You can prioritize what your household actually needs — baking, entertaining, kid snacks, coffee, bulk groceries, or a dedicated spot for trash/recycling that doesn’t interrupt the workflow.

Layout reality check: islands succeed or fail on clearances

Islands are popular — but they can also be the #1 reason a remodel feels cramped if they’re oversized or placed without enough circulation space.

As a rule of thumb, many kitchen-planning guidelines recommend keeping about 42–48 inches between the island and surrounding perimeter counters so people can pass, cook, and open doors without collisions.⁵

That clearance matters even more if the island includes appliances (dishwasher, microwave drawer, or trash pull-out). An island that’s “just a little too close” becomes a daily frustration, because every open door blocks the main path through the kitchen.

Practical island planning also needs to consider traffic flow and code requirements — especially for seating, electrical outlets, and ventilation when a cooktop is placed in the island.⁴

Open concept isn’t disappearing — it’s getting smarter

If you’re deciding whether to open a kitchen to adjacent rooms, you’re in good company. Reporting based on Houzz’s 2024 kitchen study found that 43% of renovating homeowners are making their kitchens more open to other interior spaces (up from 38% in 2021).²

At the same time, homeowner expectations are evolving. Instead of “remove every wall,” we’re seeing more demand for layouts that feel open but still controlled — quieter, less cluttered, and easier to live with.

Design publications and designers describe a renewed interest in defined or “zoned” spaces — not necessarily fully closed-off rooms, but intentional separation that helps manage noise, mess, and competing activities.^6,7

In practice, that often shows up as:

• A strong island that anchors the gathering area, while prep and cleanup stay on the back side.
• Pantries, appliance garages, beverage stations, or secondary prep zones that keep clutter out of the main sightline.
• Wide openings or partial separations that keep light and connection — without putting the kitchen on display 24/7.

Common island gotchas that impact budget and timeline

From a design-build perspective, an island is rarely “just cabinetry.” Costs and schedule can change quickly when the island includes:

• Plumbing moves (sinks, dishwashers, water lines).
• Electrical upgrades (new circuits, code-required outlets, under-cabinet or toe-kick lighting).
• Ventilation strategy (especially for island cooktops).
• Flooring patching where old cabinets or walls used to be.
• Structural work when opening up walls (beams, posts, or load-path changes).

None of that means you shouldn’t do it. It just means the best remodels start with a plan that matches your priorities: storage, seating, workflow, and how your family actually uses the space.

Planning an island? Start with function, then make it beautiful

The headline trend is simple: nearly 60% of kitchen remodels touch the island in some way, and many islands are becoming true multi-functional work zones.¹

But the outcome depends on the details — clearances, circulation, appliance placement, storage strategy, lighting, and how the kitchen connects to the rest of the home. If you’d like help evaluating your layout options (and what they mean for budget and scope), DSC can walk you through a design-build plan that reduces surprises and builds the kitchen around your real life.

References

1. Houzz Research. “2026 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study” (PDF, published Dec. 29, 2025). https://st.hzcdn.com/static/econ/2026_Houzz_US_Kitchen_Trends_Report.pdf
2. Designer’s Today. “See what kitchen feature is on the rise again, according to Houzz’s newest study” (reports 2024 Houzz study findings on open kitchens). https://www.designerstoday.com/kitchen-trends/see-what-kitchen-feature-is-on-the-rise-again-according-to-houzzs-newest-study/
3. Houzz Research. “2024 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study” (web page; includes island-size and post-renovation usage statistics). https://www.houzz.com/magazine/2024-u-s-houzz-kitchen-trends-study-stsetivw-vs~173163818
4. Fine Homebuilding. Matthew Millham. “How to Design a Kitchen Island: Code Requirements, Flow, & More” (Project Guide). https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/kitchens/kitchen-islands-practical-makes-perfect
5. The Spruce. “Kitchen Spacing Rules and Distances” (includes island clearance recommendations). https://www.thespruce.com/kitchen-space-design-1822138
6. Better Homes & Gardens. “Goodbye, Open Concept—People are Adding Walls in Their Homes” (on defined gathering spaces). https://www.bhg.com/defined-gathering-spaces-trend-open-concept-decline-6744445
7. Good Housekeeping. “This One Trend Will Transform Kitchen Layouts in 2026, According to Designers” (defined zones / kitchen layout trend). https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/decorating-ideas/a69989369/kitchen-layout-trend-2026/