Should you go out of your way to find the right kitchen island?
A quality kitchen can set you back a large sum of money. The cost is worth it as the kitchen is the soul of the home and the pride and joy of many who love to cook and socialise.
It would therefore be a real shame to decide to purchase an island and ruin the style and ambience of the room by making the wrong choice.
Kitchen islands can add a great deal of character and style to a room, as well as added storage and counter top space, plus extra room to fit new appliance. Therefore I would say yes you should go out of your way to find the right kitchen island.
Which size is best?
How big is your kitchen and how much floor space do you have available? This is a good starting point, as you need to be able to open the surrounding cupboards, drawers and appliances, as well as the ones you decide to incorporate into the island.
You don’t want to feel cramped in your own kitchen, having to squeeze past someone loading the dishwasher, or eating their breakfast. The island should also not look as if it is over powering everything else in the kitchen.
On the other hand it would look rather peculiar to place a really small island within in a large kitchen especially if it was placed in the middle of the room.
If your kitchen happens to be far too small for an island but you need that extra space, or really like the look there are solutions.
A butcher’s block comes in a number of sizes and can look great in a small kitchen. There is also the option of a peninsular, as they are attached at the end of the kitchen unit rather than in the middle of the kitchen itself.
A number of smaller proportioned kitchens should be able to fit a peninsular rather than an island, especially within a kitchen that also combines as a dining room or lounge.
Square or Oblong Island?
If you have an eye for design then it’s easy to choose the right shape and size island for your kitchen, but if you haven’t it can be a costly mistake.
Employing a kitchen designer is a great option as they have a wealth of experience and expertise. Plus they’re able to help you choose a design that ticks as many of your requirements as possible, whilst at the same time suiting the space it’s designed for.
Generally the advice is to keep the kitchen island the same shape as the room, as the overall design will sit more comfortably.
Though if you look closely you will still find that many of the worktop areas still work roughly on the square or oblong shaped design.
What to place on & under the island
There are so many options to choose from that you can almost house the whole kitchen storage and appliance requirements within the kitchen island itself – including the kitchen sink!
This enables you to double up on appliances or change the whole design of your kitchen. Just remember to consult with a builder regarding plumbing and electrics, as it makes more sense to perform these requirements before the island is fixed into position and all work is done.
The great choices of items available to place within your island means you can use it as a breakfast bar with tucked away stools, a prep area with sink, fridge, and freezer, or a cooking station with hob and oven, which would be great whilst entertaining guests as you could arrange the appliances in such a way, that it would enable you to face your guest and converse with them at the same time as cooking.
Last but not least the lighting. Yes this isn’t always directly attached to the island, but never the less it is an important touch to consider.
A pendent light hanging overhead, spot lights positioned or directed to illuminate the islands work surface or lamps cleverly placed and positioned all add to the ambience and the functionality of the space.