9 Polished Peninsula Kitchens

Ah, the peninsula kitchen: an indispensable and stylish kitchen surface

Kitchen peninsula and seating for two

Access your space

For small kitchens, an island can take up a lot of square footage. Peninsula kitchens, on the other hand, shift to one end attaching to a wall or a set of cabinets. Even narrow ones can fit as few as two barstools. Some are used just as surfaces, while others hold storage or appliances, such as a cooktop or wine cooler.

The peninsula kitchen is more space-efficient than an island. Therefore, it’s an optimal solution for a small- or medium-sized kitchen. Allow for 42 inches between the edge of the peninsula to the next countertop or wall. In contrast, an island will need adequate free space on either end to move around. Discuss with your Sweeten contractor how a peninsula can make your kitchen work smarter for you. Here are some ideas for your own renovation. 

Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and secure deposits—for free.

Peninsula kitchen at its simplest

simple eat-in kitchen bar (Image Credit: Ebom)

Multiple countertop materials

peninsula kitchen with wood countertop gold light fixture (Image Credit: Kavitharia)

Loads of working countertop space

green kitchen with waterfall peninsula

(Image Credit: Sunset)

A slender profile for a functional kitchen

kitchen with wood countertop(Image Credit: Kouch)

Renovate to live, Sweeten to thrive!

Sweeten brings homeowners an exceptional renovation experience by personally matching trusted general contractors to your project, while offering expert guidance and support—at no cost to you.

Start your renovation

A peninsula throws a curve

kitchen with curved peninsula (Image Credit: Mel)

A peninsula kitchen with group seating

white subway tile with black grout and bar stool seating (Image Credit: Domino)

Multi-tier peninsula bar

kitchen with multi-tier peninsula bar and pink tile(Image Credit: Kitchen Tune-up)

Waterfall countertop

green kitchen cabinets with kitchen peninsula and open shelves

(Above) Sweeten homeowner’s kitchen remodel

Perfect spot for a cooktop

Kitchen peninsula and seating for two

(Above) Sweeten homeowners Dia and Alex’s kitchen remodel

In a kitchen, the two most common actions are seeking counter space to lay something down or to work on. The other is to perch whether it’s to talk to the home cook or to find a quick seat for morning coffee. The kitchen peninsula fits the bill.

When you’re ready to get started on your kitchen or home remodel, work with Sweeten to renovate with the best contractors.

A note on fixture and appliance deliveries: If you’re on a tight timeline, Appliances Connection has over 50,000 items in stock and ready to ship nationally. If you’re in the NY/NJ metro area, in-stock items typically deliver within 2-3 days.

Ready to get matched with contractors for your kitchen renovation?

Get Matched With Contractors

A peninsula is an immovable floorstanding cabinet structure with one end attached to a wall or to existing countertops and cabinets. Adding one usually turns a kitchen into a U-shaped space. It adds more work surface and storage as well as a place to install a second sink, an undercounter appliance, cooktop, or microwave.

A peninsula is more efficient with square footage which works well in small and medium-sized kitchens. A peninsula typically attaches to the main countertop and lower cabinet for a continuous worktop center. This creates a 90-degree cabinet angle often referred to as a blind cabinet which can be difficult to access. Some countertops feature an overhang, which provides bar-like seating.

In a kitchen, it’s recommended to have 42 inches of space between the edge of a peninsula and any other counters, work centers, or walls. Walkways, like passthroughs, (not work aisles) should be no less than 36 inches wide.

Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.

You may also like

Renovate with Sweeten!

sweeten-magic

We’ll match you with vetted general contractors and offer support until your project is done — at no cost to you!

Start your renovation

Customer review 5.0

sweeten-thumbsup

“Sweeten made the process of gathering bids easy and painless, and I was able to find a great contractor. I'll use it again.”

— Holly M. from Queens, NY

Read more reviews —>
Start your renovation
no-cost-blue

Subscribe to our
renovation newsletter