The island has to be proportionate to the rest of the kitchen, it shouldn’t stand out or be too small to accommodate your specific need and requirements, nor should it obstruct easy navigation around the kitchen and the overall accessibility.
With all of these details to keep in mind, it’s important to go through a kitchen island design checklist before starting with construction. Let’s take a look if your kitchen can support an island, and if the benefits outweigh the costs.
What is the purpose of the island?
First and foremost, you need to specify the island’s intended purpose. Do you picture it as a space for serving and preparing food, or do you want to realize your dreams of becoming the best amateur chef in your neighbourhood and install dedicated cooking amenities? These are all important questions you need to answer before starting anything, as the final product can significantly affect the cost of the island.
If you need the space to serve as a cooking station, you’ll need to convey the appropriate electrical wiring and install the necessary appliances such as cooktops, the oven and the range hood, all of which require significant investments, both time- and money-wise.
Is your kitchen suitable for an island?
Generally speaking, smaller kitchens wouldn’t benefit from an added island, as it would only clutter up the room even further, but there are ways to combat the drawbacks of a small space with different design shapes. The rectangular design is the most widely-used solution, however there are also practical shapes such as a rounded island, an L-shaped and a T-shaped island, as some of the best substitutes for the rectangular design.
You can also opt for a freestanding island in the form of a table or a cart that will make the room feel more spacious. The best thing about a freestanding island is that it’s not a permanent solution like a built-in piece, so it leaves room for modification. Also, it is able to carry all of the amenities of a built-in one, including appliances, fixtures and storage units.
Another major component is the amount and type of lighting you have in your kitchen. The island should be properly lit with a mixture of natural and artificial light, both for ambiance and safety measures. If you don’t have lighting in the centre of the room, the you will need to install one to make the island as functional as possible and create an appealing focal point in the room. Additionally, the design of the island should complement the rest of the kitchen, but also give it a unique flair, so make sure to experiment with various accentuating colours and hardware styles.
Which features to implement?
It’s important to specify the island’s purpose in the kitchen and establish dedicated work areas. Luckily, there are some popular kitchen layouts to facilitate your design efforts. They are all about style, socialization and functionality, and the kind of features you choose could make or break the synergy of these three elements.
Maintenance is also a big issue, as popular countertop materials such as granite, marble and even laminate need frequent care and sealing in order to prevent cracks and to ensure food safety and aesthetic upkeep. However, there are other surfaces such as quartz materials that are sturdier and require less attention.
Storage considerations
Finally, you want to think about storage features. Drawer inserts are good for storing utensils and dishes and can be modified to accommodate different items, while open shelving allows you to easily access frequently used items such as cookbooks and glasses. You can also opt for extra-deep compartments for storing bulky items such as pots and pans, mixing bowls and various small appliances.
As you can tell, designing a kitchen island is no easy task, as it requires planning and practical thinking in order to assess whether your kitchen would benefit from this stylish addition. With these essential guidelines, you can safely plan and design the best possible solution for your specific needs and create the kitchen of your dreams.
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