Peninsula Kitchen Layout Ideas for Your Next Remodel Project

If you want the benefits of an island but don’t have the space for one, a peninsula layout can be the perfect fix. It adds storage, seating, and a generous work surface while keeping your kitchen open and easy to move around in.

Blog, Floor Plan Types, Kitchen

By Paul Boldizar

Published May 10, 2022 Updated December 08, 2025

Images by Hvjezd

Today’s kitchens do more than cook meals. They are places to work, study, entertain, and relax. Because the kitchen plays such a central role at home, it helps to understand the layouts that make the space work well. One of the most versatile options is the peninsula kitchen.

A peninsula layout gives you extra counter space, storage, and seating. It can fit into many room sizes, including small and medium kitchens, and it offers the benefits of an island without needing as much floor space.

In this guide, you will learn what a peninsula kitchen is, why it works, and how you can design one that suits your space.

What is a Peninsula Kitchen Layout

A peninsula kitchen layout has a worktop that extends from a wall or an adjacent counter. It is similar to an island but attached at one end. This makes it a useful way to add workspace, storage, and seating without the need for a freestanding island.

Are Kitchen Peninsulas Outdated?

No. Peninsulas remain a popular and practical choice. They make smart use of space, add storage, and create a natural boundary between the kitchen and nearby living areas. They are especially common in homes where a full island is not the best fit.

What is a Good Size for a Kitchen Peninsula?

When deciding on the ideal size for your kitchen peninsula layout, it is important to keep several things in mind:

Walking Space - You need enough space to comfortably walk around the peninsula and around the kitchen.
Depth - You need enough depth on the peninsula for preparing meals, eating, or even working.
Overhang - You need enough overhang space for comfortable seating.

The standard size of the kitchen peninsula is 24-36 inches in depth, with 10-12 inches for the overhang. However, this could be adjusted to meet varying needs.

Benefits of a Peninsula Kitchen

A peninsula kitchen design offers several advantages:

More storage with additional drawers and cabinets
More counter space for prep, dining, or working
Continuous counters for a seamless, tidy look
Easier to install appliances or utilities since one end connects to a wall
A comfortable place for seating
A layout that works well in small kitchens
Optional privacy if you add a raised breakfast bar
A flexible surface that can be used for cooking, serving, or everyday tasks

These benefits make the peninsula a great solution for both new builds and remodels.

Island vs Peninsula Kitchen Layout

Both layouts offer storage, workspace, and seating. The main difference is how they fit into the room.

An island is freestanding and needs walking space on all four sides.
A peninsula attaches at one end and only needs space on three sides.

If you have a small or medium kitchen, a peninsula often makes better use of the available space. If you have a large kitchen, an island may give you more flexibility to move around the room.

Where Can I Put a Peninsula in My Kitchen?

Peninsulas connect to a wall or an existing counter. Good placement options include:

Extending from a run of cabinets
Extending into an open plan to define the kitchen zone
Filling a gap where an island would take up too much space

As long as you can walk comfortably around the peninsula, it can be a strong layout choice.

Best Kitchen Layouts With Peninsula

While it may initially seem limited in design opportunities, a peninsula-shaped kitchen layout has many variations and ways to personalize. Let’s go over some appealing peninsula kitchen layout ideas. This is a good starting point to gather some kitchen peninsula ideas as you begin to build your dream kitchen.

1. Galley Kitchen Layout With Peninsula

Sometimes referred to as a corridor layout, a galley kitchen has a long, narrow path that is surrounded on either side by services. It is generally surrounded by countertops, base cabinets, or wall cabinets on either side.

This layout creates a long walkway within the kitchen floor plan. A peninsula can act as one of the sides of the galley.

2. U-Shaped Kitchen Layout With Peninsula

A U-shaped kitchen layout is a common floor plan for peninsula kitchen designs. This floor plan features a built-in cabinet, countertops, and appliances on three sides with one entry point into the kitchen.

Due to the nature of a peninsula kitchen design, this is a popular floor plan for this kitchen design with optimal levels of storage, counter space, and seating. You can add the peninsula as one of the surfaces of the U-shape, incorporating more countertop space into the kitchen.

3. G-Shaped Kitchen With Peninsula

A G-shaped kitchen layout is another common expansion of the peninsula floor plan. This design has three walls of storage, with an additional peninsula within the kitchen to give it the G shape.

4. L-Shaped Kitchen With Peninsula Layout

An L-shaped kitchen layout is a simple layout with two countertops that meet together to form the L-shape. One of the legs is normally longer than the other, and this leg holds most of the countertop and storage space.

You can add a peninsula to provide even more countertop space. Some kitchen peninsulas are deeper than the rest of the countertop space. This proves beneficial as it provides more prep space for baking and the use of smaller appliances.

5. 10x10 Kitchen Layout With Peninsula

A 10x10 kitchen layout is a fairly standard size for a kitchen. This kitchen size has sufficient space for various different kitchen layout ideas. A peninsula can neatly separate the kitchen from other living spaces in the room and create countertop space for all activities.

Looking at the below 10x10 kitchen, you can see how the peninsula creates a cozy yet separate space for cooking, entertaining, or dining.

6. Small Kitchen Layout With Peninsula

A Peninsula kitchen layout is not only for grand spaces. This can be an excellent option for a small kitchen that needs more storage and countertop space.

Many of the design styles above serve as excellent small kitchen layout ideas with a peninsula. Small peninsula kitchen layout templates are common and can help efficiently organize limited spacing.

Kitchen Work Triangle

The kitchen triangle is centered around three main standpoints in the kitchen: the stove, the sink, and the refrigerator. These three points in the kitchen are spaced apart to form a triangle.

A kitchen peninsula gives more depth to the kitchen work triangle as you can place the stove or sink easily on a peninsula for optimal traffic within the kitchen.

This floor plan can create an effective workflow within the kitchen, as it structurally directs traffic throughout the kitchen for ideal circulation within the kitchen

Kitchen Peninsula Designs With Seating

One of the most appealing benefits of a kitchen peninsula design is that it factors in multi-functional, comfortable seating and dining options within the kitchen.

The seating and tabletop area around a kitchen peninsula design can be a great place to set your computer or homework down on, or can be a prime location to entertain guests while you prepare some food.

Kitchen Peninsula With Seating Dimensions

Here are some standard measurements to help you plan:

Width:
A typical peninsula is about three feet wide.

Height:
The standard height is about 36 inches.

Overhang:
A comfortable overhang for seating is 10 to 12 inches.

Barstool Height:
If the peninsula is 36 inches high, the barstool height should be 24 to 26 inches.

Use these as guidelines and adjust them based on your space.

Kitchen Peninsula With Seating and Storage

Many standard designs for a kitchen peninsula include one side for storage and one side for seating. This design allows you to make advantageous use of one side of the peninsula for storage, and the other side left spacious for work or dining.

Kitchen Peninsula With Seating on Both Sides

For big families, or just to maximize the workspace available, you can have seating on both sides of the kitchen peninsula. If you have seating on both sides, the dimensions should be appropriately adjusted to guarantee plenty of space within the kitchen for traffic around the seating.

Ready to Get Started With Your Peninsula Kitchen Layout?

The peninsula layout is an excellent solution for kitchens of any size that aim to maximize storage and workspace through a functional layout. The design of a peninsula can feel daunting when looking at the dimensions and height of the various features.

That’s where our RoomSketcher Kitchen Planner can come in handy as it makes it easy to plan for layout, dimensions, and height. The kitchen planner helps you organize and create a visual representation by drawing your kitchen layout.

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