Whether you've got an L-shaped kitchen, U-shaped kitchen, or any other kitchen design, a peninsula can be a brilliant addition to your kitchen space, adding more additional countertop space, storage, and usability to your kitchen while expanding the possibilities of cooking and preparing food.

Many people prefer them to kitchen islands!

Still, a peninsula isn't right for every design, so here we look at the do's and don'ts of peninsulas, helping to shed light on the right time to use these solutions and the right time to ditch them in favor of a kitchen island or something else.

Let's get to it!

The Do's and Don'ts of Kitchen Peninsulas

Do – Consult an interior designer

It's essential that you consult an interior designer before installing a peninsula, especially if you don't have much experience with kitchen layout and the logic behind different kitchen designs.

Even if you've got a lot of space in your home, a peninsula could cause unwanted traffic jams and problems when cooking with more than one person. It might also impede your workflow without you realizing it.

An interior designer can help you to plan for these factors, as well as solidify a chic design for the peninsula!

Don't – Disrupt the working triangle

The working triangle is the flow between the kitchen sink, the fridge, and the stove. Check out the U Shaped kitchen for more details about the working triangle.

These are the three most crucial areas of the space, so make sure that your kitchen peninsula doesn't put furniture in the way of your working triangle and disrupt the flow.

Do – Use cabinets & fittings in a similar style

Your kitchen peninsula is a reflection of your kitchen design at large, so it needs to match in with the existing theme and style.

Even if you change around some of the colors and finishes, make sure that the style of your countertops and cabinetry flow seamlessly with the rest of the space.

If you've already got white cabinet sets, quartz counters and stainless steel fixtures, one would be wise to replicate these design elements!

Don't – Make it too big

If you're remodeling your kitchen, it can be tempting to sign off on a huge peninsula that gives you ungodly amounts of storage and lots of room for new features and appliances.

But you can have too much of a good thing!

Don't make your peninsula so big that it takes up vital space and makes it awkward for the family to navigate the kitchen.

Do – Maximize storage

Your peninsula kitchen remodel should have cabinets and storage as a priority! Peninsula cabinets are a great way to add additional storage to your kitchen, freeing up your old cabinets for new appliances or tools. Make the most of these additional new cabinets.

White and gray cabinets are very trendy lately – just make sure they make sense with the existing cabinets!

Don't – Add a raised bar section

It used to be popular for kitchen peninsulas to have a raised bar section added. We wouldn't personally recommend this because it can be easy to trip over and it makes the area less multi-functional.

You can always keep booze in the peninsula cabinets as a makeshift bar!

Do – Consider a breakfast bar

On the other hand, you should consider a breakfast bar. Peninsula countertops make perfect breakfast bars – just pair some stools (or other seating) with some clear countertop room to make the perfect little “dining room” for the place.

Don't – Install any large appliances

Generally speaking, the kitchen peninsula is best used as a food prep and/or seating area for casual dining.

Occasionally the layout of a kitchen remodel may call for a sink or stove to be installed as part of the peninsula layout, but it's best to reserve the peninsula for cabinetry, eating, and countertop room.

Do – Hang some accent lights!

When remodeling a kitchen, one of the easiest ways to add a modern touch is to install some hanging accent lights that break up the room and make it feel fresh.

The best place to hang these lights is a kitchen peninsula!

Often in a muted black, white, or gray, this lighting really adds to the ambience of the kitchen while making your house feel sophisticated.

Don't- Install one in a small space

Kitchens of different sizes and layouts work for very different reasons – if you've got a small cooking space, you might be better off remodeling without installing a peninsula.

You could make the room cramped and awkward if you're not careful.

Do – Cook with multiple chefs

Large kitchens with well-designed peninsula counters are perfect for cooking with multiple chefs, as the amount of counter space, cabinets, and storage allows for it.

Give it a try!

Don't – Get a peninsula if an island would work better

If you've got a particularly large kitchen with a lot of floor space, a peninsula might not always be wise.

Oftentimes, an island would work better, keeping the floor open and reducing traffic jams in a busy kitchen.

What is a kitchen peninsula?

A kitchen peninsula is an additional kitchen counter and cabinet section that is attached to your wall.

It's usually attached to existing cabinets and counters, sticking out into the room (like a regular peninsula sticks out into the sea or ocean).

Is a kitchen island better than a peninsula?

An island may be better than a peninsula if you're dealing with larger spaces that have a lot of floor area.

If you've got a lot of spare floor area, it makes more sense to fill it with an island than to have a peninsula and then loads of floor area left unused.

How wide should a kitchen peninsula be?

It varies from home to home, but most kitchens' peninsula units are approximately 3 feet wide.

Is a kitchen peninsula worth it?

Yes! A peninsula in your kitchen can add additional cabinets, storage, lighting, and opportunity for creative designs when remodeling. Sounds good to us.

Whether you intend to use the peninsula for living/eating or as an additional prep area, there is lots to like about having more cabinets and storage.

The Bottom Line

A peninsula in your kitchen is a great way to introduce more cabinetry and features to your home without undergoing a full remodeling. With these tips, hopefully you'll see the true value of a peninsula and how it can really elevate your kitchen.

Good luck with your new kitchen!