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Kitchen Islands and Breakfast Bars Mansfield

The Heart of Your Kitchen: Islands and Breakfast Bars

Kitchen islands and breakfast bars have become the must-have feature in modern kitchens. They're more than just extra worktop space - they're where family gathers, friends chat, and kids do homework while you cook dinner. At Kudos Kitchens, we've designed and installed countless islands and breakfast bars for homes across Mansfield and nearby towns like Nottingham, Chesterfield and Newark.

"Islands completely change how people use their kitchens," says Michael, our founder. "We had a customer in Sutton-in-Ashfield who told us their new island became the hub for everything from morning coffee to late-night chats with teenagers."

Whether you want somewhere to prep food, a casual spot for quick meals, or a social space for entertaining, we'll help you find the perfect solution for your space and lifestyle.

Types of Kitchen Islands

Built-in Traditional Islands

These are permanently fixed islands that match your existing kitchen cabinets. They're great if you want a cohesive look and maximum storage. We recently installed a gorgeous sage green island for a family in Mansfield Woodhouse that included deep drawers for pots and pans, a wine rack, and a bookshelf for cookbooks.

Built-in islands can include:

Custom cabinet storage
Integrated appliances like dishwashers or wine fridges
Sinks and taps
Cooktops or hobs

Multi-level Islands

Want both prep space and a dining area? Multi-level islands give you the best of both worlds. The lower section works for food prep while the raised area creates a natural barrier to hide cooking mess and provides a comfortable dining height.

Emma remembers: "We designed a split-level island for a couple in Warsop. The husband loved to cook but made a mess, while his wife wanted a clean space to work from home. The different levels meant they could both use the island at the same time without getting in each other's way."

Mobile/Rolling Islands

Don't have space for a permanent island? A mobile island on wheels might be perfect. These can be moved when you need more floor space and provide flexibility for different activities.

"For smaller kitchens in places like Clipstone or Ollerton, we often recommend our portable islands," Michael explains. "They're great value and super versatile - you can wheel them wherever needed."

Peninsula Islands

If your kitchen is too narrow for a traditional island, a peninsula might work better. This extends from a wall or cabinet run rather than standing free in the room. We've installed many peninsula units in terraced houses around Mansfield where space is limited but homeowners still want the island experience.

Statement Feature Islands

Want something unique? We can create one-of-a-kind islands that become the focal point of your kitchen. From waterfall worktops to contrasting cabinet colours, these islands make a big impact.

One of our favourites was a dramatic navy blue island with a white quartz waterfall edge we installed for a customer in Rainworth. It completely transformed their plain white kitchen into something special.

Breakfast Bar Options

Breakfast Bars Attached to Islands

Adding a breakfast bar to your island creates a casual dining or working space without taking up extra room. These typically overhang the base by 30-40cm to give enough knee room for comfortable seating.

"The overhang is really important," Emma points out. "Too little and your knees bang against the cabinets. We always make sure there's enough space for people to sit comfortably."

Wall-mounted Breakfast Bars

Don't have room for an island? A wall-mounted breakfast bar can be a great alternative. These extend from a wall, often near a window, and provide a spot for quick meals without taking up much floor space.

"We installed a lovely oak breakfast bar under a bay window for an elderly couple in Blidworth," Michael says. "It gave them somewhere to enjoy their morning coffee with a garden view without needing a full dining table."

Extending from Worktops

Another space-saving option is extending your existing worktop to create a breakfast bar. This works well in galley kitchens or L-shaped layouts where space is tight.

Counter-height vs. Bar-height

Counter-height breakfast bars (around 90cm) use standard kitchen chairs or lower stools, while bar-height options (around 105cm) need taller bar stools. Counter-height tends to be more comfortable for longer sitting, while bar-height creates a more defined separation between cooking and dining spaces.

A customer in Forest Town chose a higher bar-height design because she has young children and wanted the breakfast bar to be "out of sticky finger reach" for her baking projects!

Functional Features to Consider

Built-in Appliance Integration

Islands can house all sorts of appliances:

Hobs for cooking
Sinks for washing up
Dishwashers for convenience
Wine fridges for entertaining
Microwaves to free up counter space

We recently built an island for a serious home cook in Kirkby-in-Ashfield with an induction hob, prep sink, and built-in oven. It created a complete cooking station away from the main kitchen run.

Clever Storage Solutions

Islands provide valuable extra storage. Some popular options include:

Deep drawers for pots and pans
Open shelving for cookbooks
Wine racks for bottles
Specialised storage for baking sheets
Pull-out trash bins

"Storage is usually the main reason people want an island," Michael notes. "It's amazing how much extra stuff you can fit into even a small island."

Sink and Prep Area Incorporation

Adding a sink to your island creates a more efficient workflow. A prep sink lets you wash vegetables while someone else uses the main sink, or a main sink can free up counter space elsewhere.

"We did a kitchen for a family in Warsop where we put the main sink in the island facing the living area," Emma recalls. "The mum said it completely changed how she felt about washing up because now she could chat with her kids while doing it instead of staring at a wall."

Electrical and Plumbing Needs

Remember that islands with sinks, hobs, or appliances need proper connections. We handle all the electrical and plumbing work to meet safety regulations. In older homes around Mansfield, this sometimes means updating systems to support the new features, which we can advise on during planning.

Lighting Considerations

Good lighting transforms your island from functional to fabulous. Pendant lights create a focal point, while under-counter lighting helps with tasks and creates ambiance.

Michael says: "Lighting makes such a difference. We installed three copper pendants over an island in Newark that looked stunning and really highlighted the space as special."

We are your Kitchen Furniture Experts in Mansfield

Material and Style Selection

Worktop Material Options

Your worktop choice affects both looks and functionality:

Quartz: Extremely durable, non-porous and comes in loads of colours and patterns. Great for busy families.
Granite: Natural stone with unique patterns. Heat-resistant but needs sealing.
Solid Timber: Warm and natural. Can be sanded if damaged but needs regular oiling.
Laminate: Budget-friendly with many design options. Not as durable as stone.
Porcelain: Modern option that's heat and stain resistant. Good for contemporary kitchens.

"For islands that will see heavy use, we often recommend quartz," says Emma. "We've been installing Symphony's quartz worktops recently with great feedback from customers."

Contrasting Cabinet Finishes

While matching your island to existing cabinets creates a cohesive look, contrasting colours can make a statement:

Navy blue island with white cabinets
Sage green island with neutral cabinets
Wood effect island with solid colour cabinets
Dark grey island with light grey cabinets

A recent project in Mansfield featured the Symphony Langdale Sage island with Chalk White main cabinets - a combination that's proved really popular.

Mixed Material Designs

Combining materials adds interest and character:

Timber breakfast bar with quartz worktop
Timber end panels with painted cabinets
Stone top with exposed brick base

"Mixed materials are definitely trending," Michael observes. "We did an island with an oak breakfast bar section and quartz prep area that looked amazing - practical and stylish."

Statement Details

Small details make a big impact:

Feature handles or knobs
Curved end cabinets
Waterfall edges where the worktop continues down the side
Decorative end panels or corbels
Open shelving sections

Our Kudos kitchen showroom in Mansfield has several island designs on display with different detail options so you can see what appeals to you.

Space Planning Guidelines

Clearance Requirements

You need adequate space around your island for safe movement. We recommend:

At least 1 metre between island and cabinets
1.2 metres if multiple people need to pass each other
More space (1.5m+) for wheelchair access

"We always measure carefully and sometimes even mark out the proposed island with tape on the floor so customers can feel how much space they'll have," explains Michael.

Traffic Flow Considerations

Think about how people move through your kitchen:

Don't block paths between major appliances
Consider the "work triangle" (sink, hob, fridge)
Allow for opening appliance doors and drawers

"Traffic flow is so important," Emma emphasizes. "We've redesigned many kitchens where the original island placement blocked important pathways."

Sizing Guidelines

The right size depends on your room dimensions, but generally:

Minimum width: 60cm
Standard width: 90-120cm
Minimum length: 120cm
Popular length: 180-240cm

For breakfast bars, allow at least 60cm width per person for comfortable seating.

Small Kitchen Solutions

Limited space? Consider:

Narrow islands (as little as 60cm wide)
Peninsula rather than island
Mobile island that can be moved when needed
Wall-mounted folding breakfast bar
Slim breakfast bar extension from existing worktop

"Even the smallest kitchens can usually fit some type of island or breakfast bar solution," Michael encourages. "We've done beautiful compact islands for cottages in Edwinstowe and Teversal that transformed how functional their kitchens were."

Kitchen Islands and Breakfast Bars: Real Mansfield Projects

Family-friendly Island in Rainworth

The Johnsons wanted a space where their three kids could eat breakfast and do homework while they prepared meals. We created a large L-shaped island with a raised breakfast bar section and plenty of storage underneath. The worktop is durable quartz that stands up to art projects, and the base has a mix of drawers and cabinets for school supplies and kitchen items.

"It's changed our family life," Mrs. Johnson told us. "The kids hang out in the kitchen now instead of disappearing to their rooms."

Entertainer's Dream in Mansfield Woodhouse

Mr. and Mrs. Clark love hosting dinner parties but had a small dining room. We designed an extended island with seating for six that doubled as a serving station. It includes a wine fridge, soft-close drawers for linens, and a stunning waterfall edge in granite. The island effectively created a new dining space within their kitchen.

"Now we can chat with friends while cooking instead of being shut away," said Mr. Clark. "And the island becomes a buffet table when we have bigger groups."

Space-saving Solution in Clipstone

In a compact terrace house, we installed a peninsula breakfast bar that extended from the kitchen into the living area. At just 40cm wide, it doesn't intrude into the room but provides valuable worktop space and a spot for two people to sit. We added electrical outlets for laptops and mounted two pendant lights above to define the space.

Questions People Ask About Kitchen Islands and Breakfast Bars

Is a kitchen island or breakfast bar better?

It depends on your space and needs. Islands provide more workspace and storage but require more room (at least 1m clearance all around). Breakfast bars take up less space and are great for casual meals but offer less storage.

Michael says: "For most of our Mansfield customers, if they have the space, an island with an integrated breakfast bar gives the best of both worlds."

How much does a kitchen island cost UK?

In the Mansfield area, a basic kitchen island starts around £1,000 for a simple freestanding unit. Built-in islands with standard worktops typically range from £2,000-£5,000 depending on size and features. Premium islands with stone worktops, appliances, and special features can cost £5,000-£10,000+.

"We always work with your budget," Emma assures. "There are good options at every price point, and we can phase installations if needed."

What is a good size for a kitchen island?

For most family kitchens, an island about 100cm wide by 200cm long works well. This gives enough space for food prep plus room for 2-4 people to sit if you include a breakfast bar overhang.

"The right size relates to your room," Michael explains. "A massive island in a medium kitchen just creates obstacles, while one that's too small might not be worth the investment."

Do kitchen islands add value?

Yes! Estate agents in Mansfield consistently tell us that well-designed kitchen islands are a major selling point. A 2023 survey suggested kitchens with islands can add 3-7% to property values.

"We've had several customers come back to us saying their island was the feature that sold their house," notes Emma.

How much space is needed around a kitchen island?

You need minimum 90cm clearance on all sides, but 100-120cm is better for comfortable movement. If the island includes a dishwasher or oven, allow at least 120cm on that side for door clearance.

"In tight spaces, we sometimes recommend rounded corners on islands to prevent painful hip bumps when moving through the kitchen," Michael adds.

Let's Create Your Perfect Kitchen Island

Ready to transform your kitchen with an island or breakfast bar? Here's how we work at Kudos Kitchens:

Book a free design consultation at our Mansfield showroom
We'll visit your home to measure and understand your space
Our designers create custom plans based on your needs and budget
You receive a clear, no-obligation quote
Our skilled team handles the complete installation, including all plumbing and electrical work

"We take the stress out of kitchen renovations," Michael promises. "From design to final clean-up, we manage everything so you don't have to worry."

Visit our Mansfield showroom to see island and breakfast bar displays in person, or call to book your free consultation. We serve Mansfield and surrounding areas including Nottingham, Newark, Chesterfield, Ollerton, Rainworth, Sutton-in-Ashfield and more.

Kitchen Renovation Financing Available!*

Even if you do not have the funds now, you may be eligible to access project funding from Dopple! Contact us to learn more about how financing can help you get your dream kitchen renovation sooner.

We've partnered with Dopple to offer flexible kitchen renovation financing options for your kitchen project. With Dopple, you can spread the cost of your new kitchen over manageable monthly payments, choose from multiple finance options. You will get support from a friendly UK-based team and be able to finance kitchen projects big and small

*Credit is subject to status and credit assessments by the lender. Missed payments may affect your credit file, future borrowing and incur fees.

Michael Bateson t/a Kudos Kitchens is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, under FCA number: 1016750. We act as a credit broker, not a lender. We work with a number of carefully selected credit providers who may be able to offer you finance for your purchase. (Written quotation available upon request). Whichever lender we introduce you to, we will typically receive commission from them (either a fixed fee or a fixed percentage of the amount you borrow), and this may or may not affect the total amount repayable. The lender will disclose this information before you enter into an agreement, which only occurs with your express consent. The lenders we work with could pay commission at different rates, and you will be notified of the amount we are paid before completion. All finance is subject to status and income. Terms and conditions apply. Applicants must be 18 years or over. We are only able to offer finance products from these providers. As we are a credit broker and have a commercial relationship with the lender, the introduction we make is not impartial, but we will make introductions in line with your needs, subject to your circumstances. Michael Bateson t/a Kudos Kitchens are registered with the Information Commissioners Office under registration number: ZB713083.