Multi-level kitchen islands are like the Swiss Army knife of modern renovation — one side for cooking and prep, one for casual dining, and sometimes even a hidden spot for homework, wine tasting or that midnight instant-noodle moment we all pretend we don’t have. In Sydney homes, especially where space must work twice as hard, multi-level islands bring a stylish and practical edge that single-level islands sometimes can’t match.

But here’s the catch:
A multi-level island is only functional if the cabinetry around it is planned well. Otherwise, you end up with wasted storage, awkward corners, or a design that looks flash in photos but frustrating in daily life.

Below is your complete guide — filled with real Sydney examples — to help you plan cabinetry around multi-level islands and benchtops for maximum performance, storage and workflow efficiency.

Why Multi-Level Islands Make Sense for Sydney Homes

Sydney kitchens come in all shapes and sizes:

• Terraces in Newtown and Redfern: long, narrow and perfect for raised bar seating at one end.

• Units in Zetland, Ryde and Parramatta: compact layouts where dual-level surfaces help divide living and cooking zones.

• Family homes in Castle Hill, Pymble and Turramurra: large open-plan spaces that benefit from integrating cooking, dining and entertaining.

• Renovated bungalows in Strathfield or Concord: heritage charm with modern needs, ideal for creating a “feature island.”

Multi-level islands solve real problems:

• Hide clutter behind a raised section

• Create ergonomic heights for prep vs dining

• Provide separation between cooking zones and kids' zones

• Offer more cabinetry opportunities

• Increase usable surface area without increasing footprint

1. Understanding the Functional Zones of a Multi-Level Island

A multi-level island typically consists of two or three heights, each with a specific purpose:

Prep Height (Approx. 900mm)

This is where the hard work happens:

• Chopping vegetables

• Rolling dough

• Using mixers and appliances

Cabinetry here usually includes:

• Deep drawers

• Under-bench appliances

• Pull-out bins

• Utility storage

Dining / Bar Height (Approx. 1050–1100mm)

This level creates:

• Seating zone

• Social area for guests

• “Hide-the-mess” shield during meal prep

Cabinetry here usually includes:

• Shallow cupboards

• Open display shelving

• Under-counter wine fridges

• Hidden compartments

Feature Height (Up to 1200mm)

Seen in luxury homes in Mosman or Vaucluse, often used for:

• Sculptural stone

• Breakfast bars

• Elevated servery windows

This height is best used for:

• Open shelving

• Storage for occasional-use items

• Lighting or feature cabinetry

2. Cabinet Planning Depends on How You Use the Island

Here’s where the magic happens — matching cabinetry to lifestyle.

If You Cook a Lot:

Island should be your command station.
Include:

• 900mm wide drawer stacks

• Spice pull-outs

• Under-bench microwave

• Prep-only drawers (knives, cutting boards, mixing bowls)

• Charging drawer for gadgets used while cooking

If You Entertain Frequently:

Perfect for homes in Leichhardt, Five Dock, Lane Cove and Surry Hills.
Cabinetry focus:

• Wine storage

• Glass cabinets

• Concealed rubbish bins

• LED-lit display shelving

• Bar-height face panels hiding the cooking mess

If You Have Kids:

Ideal for families in North Rocks, Baulkham Hills, Kellyville.
Go for:

• Rounded corners

• Shallow child-friendly storage drawers

• Snack drawers

• Durable laminate faces on seating side

• Charging points for laptops/homework zone

If You’re Short on Space:

Typical in inner-city units.
Maximise:

• Deep drawers on prep side

• Slimline cabinets on raised side

• Bench extension pull-outs

• Vertical dividers for trays

3. Optimising Storage: Where Every Millimetre Counts

Multi-level islands open new cabinetry opportunities you don’t get with traditional islands.

Deep Drawer Banks

The backbone of modern Sydney kitchens.
Perfect for:

• Pots and pans

• Appliances

• Pantry overflow

Shallow Bar-Side Cabinets

Often only 200–300mm deep, but incredibly useful:

• Cookbooks

• Wine bottles

• Tableware

• Chargers and cords “dump zone”

Flip-Up Doors for Elevated Sections

Great for tight walkways in terraces.

Internal Organisers

Because rummaging is not a lifestyle:

• Cutlery inserts

• Spice trays

• Plate holders

• Drawer dividers

Under-Bench Power

A must if you use:

• SodaStream

• Stand mixer

• Portable induction burner

Hidden Charging Stations

Popular in young professional homes in Waterloo and Wolli Creek.

4. Cabinetry Materials to Support Multi-Level Structures

Because these islands must be strong enough to support stone of different heights.

Best Choices:

• Plywood for structural strength

• Moisture-resistant MDF for painted finishes

• Premium laminates for durability

• Finger-pull or push-to-open hardware for clean lines

Stone Considerations:

• Waterfall edges can visually separate heights

• Matching or contrasting colours change the mood

• Thicker stone on raised side helps hide clutter

Sydney Trends:

In suburbs like Rose Bay, Killara and Hunters Hill, homeowners prefer:

• Contrasting stone levels

• Natural oak timber cabinets

• Dark base with light upper bar

5. Appliance Integration in Multi-Level Islands

The beauty of multi-level islands?
Appliances disappear more easily.

Common Integrations:

• Dishwasher under prep height

• Wine fridge under bar height

• Microwave drawer hidden in mid-section

• Pop-up power tower on elevated height

• Induction cooktops (if island cooking is preferred)

Ventilation Tip:

If you're installing a cooktop in your island, especially in open-plan apartments around Macquarie Park or Chatswood — consider a downdraft rangehood.

6. Workflow Planning Around a Multi-Level Island

The island must work with the rest of your kitchen.

Best practices:

• Keep dishwasher on the prep-height side for easy access

• Allocate serving plates on bar-height side (closer to dining area)

• Store daily items nearest your main movement path

• Ensure the island doesn’t block the fridge door or oven swing

• Leave at least 1000–1200mm walkway around

Sydney reality check:

Older homes in Burwood, Ashfield and Marrickville often have narrow spaces — multi-level islands must be customised to avoid congestion.

7. Lighting and Cabinet Design for Multi-Level Islands

Lighting amplifies the “multi” in multi-level.

Recommended lighting approach:

• LED strip under raised section

• Pendant lights above prep bench

• Warm lighting for dining side

• Recessed lighting for display cabinets

Aesthetic trick:

Different heights = different moods.
Lighting = separation without walls.

8. Examples from Real Sydney Renovation Situations

1. Parramatta Apartment:

Compact space, dual-level island with:

• prep height for cooking

• bar height for laptop work

• shallow cabinets for plates

2. Pymble Family Home:

Large island with:

• His-and-hers prep zones

• Storage for kids’ school bags

• Baking station drawer system

3. Newtown Terrace:

Narrow island with:

• Raised servery to block kitchen mess

• Pull-out pantry drawers in island

• Dishwasher tucked behind raised panel

9. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Making bar height too tall for comfort

• Having cabinets that are too deep — things get lost

• Placing drawers behind chairs

• Forgetting about appliance ventilation

• Using poor-quality hinges for heavy stone tops

Fixing these mistakes later costs more than planning ahead.

Final Thoughts: Multi-Level Islands Should Feel Effortless

A well-designed multi-level island should feel like it belongs to your life, not someone else’s Instagram feed. When the cabinetry is planned correctly, every movement — prep, cook, serve, clean — flows smoothly.

Different heights create different functions.
Different functions create better workflow.
Better workflow creates a better home.

For expertly planned kitchen cabinetry and multi-level island design tailored to Sydney homes, visit www.mb9.com.au to explore kitchen renovation and bathroom renovation services from MB9 Australia Pty Ltd.