In a workspace like a kitchen, it's important to find the perfect layout to suit your needs. One popular choice is the Peninsula kitchen, thanks to its flexibility and practical design.
Every type of kitchen layout has its advantages and disadvantages, but Peninsula neatly bridges the gap between several other designs and enhances their advantages. “A Peninsula kitchen has all the benefits of a U-shaped kitchen or kitchen island, but with more storage space, countertop space, a designated workstation, and dining area,” said Alex Main, director of The Main Company. I will explain.
Additionally, Peninsula kitchens are connected to a wall on one side only, allowing for more space than other layouts. “A peninsula kitchen is a great design because it has a smaller footprint than a freestanding kitchen island, giving you the feeling of extra space,” adds Alex.
peninsula kitchen ideas
“Peninsula is often thought of as an alternative to large island units for smaller kitchens,” says Eggersman UK Director Daniel Bowler. “While this is certainly true, the peninsula offers a wealth of opportunities for any kitchen. We're talking about meal preparation, a breakfast bar, a place where you can work from home, and even a cocktail bar to come in the evening. . The options are endless.”
When planning your kitchen layout, think about how you want to use the space and how you want to live in it. If you often start your day in the kitchen, a peninsula kitchen with breakfast bar seating is the perfect choice. Want to increase storage? Plenty of wide pan drawers are planned for the kitchen side.
You may want to use the peninsula for cooking and washing, which is quite possible since electricity and plumbing can usually be hidden under lower cabinets. Finally, don't forget sockets. Pop-up Power Point makes blending your morning smoothie a breeze.
1. Integrate the breakfast bar
(Image credit: Future PLC/Kasia Fiszer)
Sign Peninsula kitchens are always connected to a wall on one side and can be used to separate the kitchen space from the living/dining area. If this applies to you, consider incorporating seating options into your living space,” advises kitchen manufacturer Ben Burbidge, MD.
“These breakfast bars can easily be achieved by adding an overhang to your worktop, with a few simple bar stools lined up underneath to create storage on the kitchen side while allowing friends and family to cook at the same time. It's a place for the kids to do homework together while you prepare dinner.''
2. Create a statement
(Image credit: Future PLC)
“It's fun to experiment with different materials, and the waterfall worktop edge works really well at the end of a peninsula,” says Stacey Cobley, designer at Harvey Jones.
Use contrasting materials to differentiate your peninsula and kitchen worktops. This helps break up the scheme and is an easy way to add a statement design feature, even if the peninsula is painted the same color as the rest of the cabinetry.
3. Build open storage
(Image credit: Future PLC)
If you don't need or want a breakfast bar, check out the exterior created by the peninsula through the built-in cabinetry. Open kitchen storage is great for adding interest and creating stylish displays.
“You can incorporate a large amount of cabinet storage space at the lower level, which makes it look less impressive and allows for more flexibility in displaying shelving and artwork,” says Harvey Jones' Stacey.
4. Lean into the curve
(Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme)
A kitchen peninsula always needs a peninsula, but there's no reason the edges have to be straight and flat.
“Play around with the finishes,” suggests kitchen maker Ben. 'Adding curved edges to your countertop softens the look. ”
5. Keep it accessible
(Image credit: Future PLC)
A peninsular layout with open kitchen shelving allows light to filter through and enhances the sense of space. Open shelves are popular with professional chefs because they allow you to easily see and access the tools you need when you're busy in the kitchen.
Peninsula kitchen ideas abound, but this one is definitely not for dirty cooks. However, if you are good at maintaining order, we recommend stylish storage baskets to hide unsightly items. A peninsula placed on a shelf will give character and individuality. If you're going for an industrial design vibe, choose shelves with black metal frames lined with polished steel pots and pans.
6. Added chaise lounge seats to the rear
(Image provided by: Life Kitchens)
The breakfast bar fits perfectly into the peninsula-shaped kitchen, but it's not the only seating option. “A more complex design solution is to build bespoke seating in the form of banquettes at the back, creating zones for eating or casual lounging,” suggests kitchen maker Ben. Attaching booth-style seating directly to the back of the peninsula is also a space-saving way to allow more people to gather around the table.
The advantage of a chaise longue over a regular chair is that you don't have to pull it out or leave space for people to walk behind it. With a banquette attached directly to the back of the peninsula, the dining area becomes an extension of the kitchen and a very sociable place for entertaining.
7. Think about the color scheme
(Image credit: King Celia Studio/Anna Stathaki)
In open-plan kitchens, Peninsula colors and finishes can be used as a decorative tool, helping to achieve design unity between the kitchen and the living spaces beyond.
“Matching the worktop color and height to a half-height painted feature wall that encircles the entire living space helps this peninsula blend seamlessly with the rest of the room,” Kingseria says studio founder Jess Piddock.
“Using strong, bright colors will liven up and brighten your kitchen, and the same bright tones continue the look in living space accents and accessories.”
8. Slim down and save space
(Image credit: Future)
A narrow peninsular kitchen might not be enough to add a breakfast bar, but it can do a great job of keeping kids out of the busiest and most dangerous zones of the kitchen. Don't be afraid to go to A&E and let the chef sizzle.
The actual width of the narrowest peninsula is approximately 30cm/12 inches. Any thinner and the surface becomes unusable without objects falling onto the back. If you have limited space in your kitchen, choose open shelves instead of closed cupboards underneath for easier access. Cupboard doors only get in the way.
9. Utilize wall space
(Image credit: Future PLC/Heather Young)
The outside of the Peninsula Kitchen is perfect for a sociable breakfast bar spot, but you don't need too many stools, especially if there's plenty of additional seating nearby. Instead, use the space closest to the wall for storage, whether it's wall-mounted cabinets or open shelving.
Depending on how much storage you need, open shelving can be a great option for storing some essentials and providing plenty of styling opportunities. Create a practical space that is full of your family's individuality.
10. Place the stove on the peninsula
(Image credit: Future PLC / Kasia Fiszer)
Installing a stove on a peninsula is a great choice for sociable hosts who like to chat with guests while cooking. Even if you don't, no matter how stylish it is, it feels much better to look across the room than to stare at the splashing water.
To avoid having your view obstructed by an oppressive range hood, choose a 2-in-1 stove with a built-in extraction feature. The best induction cooktops are a particularly sophisticated option for high-profile locations like this.
11. Go long and lean, galley style.
(Image credit: Pluck Kitchens/Malcolm Menzies)
Peninsulas do not have to be installed at right angles to the main kitchen units, but can also be placed parallel to them as part of a galley layout. Acting as an important divider and providing seating for a convenient breakfast bar, this galley-style peninsula layout is unusual, but incredibly practical, especially in a home with a narrow mid-terrace.
A striking worktop, like this Bianco Lamijatto marble, installed all the way to the floor, waterfall style, will greatly enhance the design effect of your Peninsula kitchen. Give your small peninsula even more presence with stylish light pendants, and choose bar stools in luxurious finishes to make it even more appealing.
12. Work with walls
(Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme)
If you have a wall blocking off part of your kitchen, adding a peninsula to the end of it can make better use of the space. Here, a brick wall can be used as open shelving on the kitchen side of the open-plan room, with the entire opposite side available for seating.
FAQ
What is the Peninsula Kitchen layout?
A peninsula is similar to an island unit, except that one end is attached to a wall. Add Peninsula to all of our most popular kitchen layout ideas to add extra prep and storage space to your floor plan.
Attaching a peninsula to one cooking chamber creates an L-shape. Adding a peninsula to an L-shape makes it a U-shape, and adding a peninsula to a U-shape makes it a G-shape. That being said, it's best not to get bogged down in terminology. The important thing to note is that the peninsula has the power to make any kitchen much more flexible.
“With the increasing popularity of open-plan and break-plan spaces, the Peninsula Kitchen is the perfect device for zoning your cooking area,” says kitchen manufacturer Ben. “Depending on your cooking style and your household needs, Peninsula can install a sink or stove, use it as additional prep space, incorporate additional storage space, or add a breakfast bar for additional dining space. This versatility makes this design one of the essential, hard-working and desirable choices when planning your kitchen.”
What are the benefits of Peninsula Kitchen?
“In small spaces, a peninsula kitchen is often a better choice than a freestanding kitchen island, which requires plenty of space all around.A peninsula doesn’t require as much space, but it can still be used with an island. It has the same storage and multitasking capabilities,” explains Richard Moore, Design Director at Martin Moore.
There's nothing on the peninsula other than the odd pendant light, so it proves to be a more comfortable place to chop and cook than a workbench tucked under a wall cabinet. “The peninsula also acts as a very effective room divider, perfect for separating cooking zones from social areas,” adds Richard.
How wide does a peninsula kitchen need to be?
As with the space needed between the counter and the island, the most important measurement is the width of the entrance to the cooking space to make the peninsula a useful feature rather than an annoying pinch point or obstacle to movement. . . The magic number here is his 90cm/36in, which means he should be able to get in and out without bumping his butt.
To find out the width you need for your peninsula kitchen, measure 90cm/36in from one side of the wall and see what's left. There are no hard and fast rules, but you should aim for a peninsula that is at least approximately 90 cm/36 inches wide. This size allows you to place several stools on an outdoor elevation.
It's worth remembering that adding a peninsula to your kitchen layout transforms an easily accessible linear unit into an L-shape with less accessible corners, so the advantages should outweigh the disadvantages.
Do you want to choose a peninsula kitchen layout right now, or are you adamant that another design is best?
