Finding a kitchen island that will speak to your heart and make your life easy is easy. It all comes down to making choices – something hard to do these days and not due to shortage of choices but the opposite. We should be happy for we live in a world where money buys everything. And even if you are on a budget, there are some great solutions for splendid kitchen designs and islands for all tastes.
Nearly all people love kitchen islands. They stand in the middle of where all good things are happening every single day. They are in the front line of defense, allowing you to hide things behind them or display things on them. They act as natural room dividers but without blocking the view or shrinking the home and at the same time they make the atmosphere friendly and create more storage and working space.
Yes, you need to have some space to build a kitchen island. That’s true. But with an average size kitchen, remodeling experts can integrate an island that would fit right in. Not all islands are huge. Some are narrow and long. Some are short and wide. Some are rectangular or square. Some have curves too. See? There’s no shortage of ideas and creativity when it comes to kitchen islands.
A few tips and ideas for your own kitchen island
• When you consider the kitchen island size, remember that you need to
easily reach all parts of the island. If you make it too wide – that is, you may not be able to reach the things you place right in the middle and you will have a hard time cleaning it.
• In the same context, consider what will be on the island before you decide on its dimensions. Will you place the kitchen sink on the island? Both the sink and the stovetop? The more permanent fixtures you place on the island, the larger it should be.
• If you like to have a snack standing by the island or have kids, it’s good to leave room for stools. This would take up space otherwise used for storage, but it’s worth it. That’s if you were planning to otherwise place an extra table for breakfast and lunch. Don’t overcrowd the space with too many tables and an island. It’s best to have one island and one dining table.
• Use the space given to create a storage room. You could also integrate a wine fridge. Or a built-in dishwasher – if the main sink is on the island. If it’s not and the kitchen is big, you could have a second small sink on the island to help you when you prep food.
• When you plan the island with your kitchen remodeler, remember to leave sufficient traffic space around it. If not, the island will overcrowd the room, making the space seem busy while at the same time, it won’t help you move with ease.
• Carefully consider the surface you choose for the island’s counter. Don’t forget that the island is used to prep food too. The material must be strong and resistant. Basically, it should be the same material as the kitchen counter material – or aesthetically, the same.
Should we talk about aesthetics for your kitchen island?
To have a cohesive kitchen design, it’s best to stick to the same materials and color schemes. And so, the cabinets over and under the cabinet should match the cabinets on the island. The countertops should be the same too.
Another idea is to play with contrasts: black island, white cabinets and counter – or vice versa. Since marble is trendy, you can use white marble for the island and black marble for the counter.
If the cooking area is on the island, match it with a ceiling hood. If not, you may put a rack where you can hang pots and pans. For a more minimalistic, sleek look, prefer to limit the over-the-island decorations to minimal lighting fixtures.
If you can build a large island, you may also opt for unusual shapes – like an island with different levels.
Kitchen islands may match perfectly the rest of the kitchen or not. They may be made of one material or a combination of materials. They may be glossy or matte. We could talk about the possibilities all day long. The point is that there are splendid ideas for all kitchens and you just need to consider the functional and aesthetic requirements in yours.
