Want to know how functional an kitchen island will be without actually installing one. Try a mock trial version of a kitchen island; observe how easy it is for you to perform the task in that area, such as food preparation; and if it improves the flow of the kitchen, you’re on your to creating your island space. If that trial version is not good enough for you, here are 10 reasons as to why you should have a kitchen island
in your kitchen.
1. It can be a subtle divider between the work area and rest of the space.
Your kitchen is a workshop and should have functional space. An island helps divides the space into various task centers. The kitchen island can in turn become a room divider where one side is mainly used for the preparation of food and the other side as a plating area and informal dining space.
2. It is one area in the kitchen where many kitchen tasks can be performed
The kitchen island can provide a good transition between cooking and preparation tasks and living spaces. It is also an informal dining area, area for eating, area for entertaining, and an area as a buffet at mealtime.
3. It can carry an appliance or fixture
The kitchen island can incorporate any appliance, such as a microwave, a wine rack, a stowaway garbage can, and even a small refrigerator or a freezer. The kitchen island can also include towel bars and hooks for dish towels and potholders. Ensure that there are electrical receptacles on the island so you don’t have to use an extension cord.
4. It can improve storage and organization.
A kitchen island that is deep or long enough which has cabinets or drawers on one side and shelves on other have great storage capacity. The shelves are ideal to store your cookbooks. Cabinets and drawers can be used to store anything: mugs, cups, dishware, wines, cookbooks, even snack and cereals. Kitchen islands can serve as a snack bar. Long islands not only offer versatile storage capacity, but lots of preparation space. Use a combination of storage features in a long island island, such as: open storage, pullout shelves, and drawers of all sizes. Also, dedicate the non-storage side of the island for cooking gear, such as a towels rack and place mats. Note, your silverware should be kept on the dining side.
For a small kitchen, an island on wheels could add storage and counter space where and when needed. There’s no need for electrical outlets for movable kitchen islands; however, there plenty of storage space and shelves are sometimes open and airy.
Irregular shape island can also offer plenty storage and serves as a snack bar. However, a curved island, known for its beauty and ease of traffic pattern, is expensive and may well reduce avail storage space. Therefore, it is best to curve the countertops, but not the base cabinet. It may be safer to stick to simple designs.
5. It can create an informal dining space.
A kitchen island can serve as a preparation and serving space. Islands such as this one can accommodate diners informally. Kitchen islands that are narrow have shallow shelves that are easy to access. There countertop are also a perfect coffee bar.
6. If the island countertop is expansive enough, it can be used to set an entire meal or act as serving space for a large dinner party.
Some kitchen islands are expansive enough to accommodate an entire meal or act as an additional place to serve a dinner party. Bar-height chairs should be welcoming and comfortable for an informal dinning space.
7. It increases flexibility in the kitchen.
A kitchen island has multifunctional uses; it can be used as a snack bar, kitchen office, washing area with a sink, and storage for a number of appliances. Therefore, there is more than one place to prepare a meal. Meal-maker can also face each other or speak with others in view.
8. As a centerpiece, it can add class and style, to a traditional kitchen.
You could spice up your traditional kitchen with a little style by adding an island as a centerpiece. The cabinets in the first kitchen have classic simple lines. The curved top island, with ornate brackets, rich gray colour countertop, and silver bar-stool chairs provides a more elaborate design profile for this kitchen. Other types of added accents a homeowner could consider are mirror countertops or countertops can be extended to create an unusual shape. You may also want a continuous feel to your countertops.
However, your island countertop and cabinetry must complement the rest of the kitchen cabinetry style, especially if it is a large kitchen island. Smaller kitchen islands are better accented by different finishes on the island countertop (see the second picture above). You can have a granite countertop for your island even while the rest of the base cabinets have countertops of tiles. Others are tempered glass shelving, faux-painting finishes, laminate, or the entire countertop can be made of a butcher block.
A simple kitchen table can also stand in as an island and be a place for food preparation, dining, and homework. A moveable island furniture is a good choice.
Solid surface materials, such as Corian, granite, and stainless steel, are popular choices for island They have an unbroken look; they are also durable, practical for the preparation area, and beautiful. Though they might be expensive material, the limited space of an island can make them affordable. A cost effective way for countertops are the avant garde look of concrete which can be dyed to have a sand look.
Some centerpiece looks like a piece of furniture and as an heirloom.
9. It can be a central spot for most appliances in kitchen.
A kitchen island with a cooktop and/or sink is highly functional and allows the cooking action in the kitchen to spread out. Note, utilities (power, fuel, plumbing) have to be routed through the floor structure and a large hood is a must for adequate ventilation. However, please remember that an island can become a focus point in the kitchen, and a large sink would emphasize the clutter of a lot of dirty dishes.
Placing cooking utensils in the cabinet by a cooktop kitchen island can be very handy. Some designers don’t think sinks or stoves belong in an island because ventilation can be difficult. If you do want sinks or stoves in the kitchen island it is better to keep the design practical and simple, and use neutral colours.
10. It makes it easy for two cooks to work together.
An expansive kitchen island, with nothing on the surface but open space, is a baker’s delight. An island with different heights can have various functions (low for pastry-making and high for bar seating) and is accommodating for children.
Two separate islands can minimize movement while preparing food. These island have recessed toe spaces. Pendant lights will provide task lighting for the entire workspace.
Kitchen islands that leave storage space for cookbooks and an area for reading can also be handy for cooks. Corner sinks and recycling bins are also convenient at islands used for preparing food. Plus, granite and solid surface countertops makes it easy to roll dough on and a therefore easy clean up
Cooktops on an island are loved by some cooks, but you should make sure the necessary safety precautions are taken. Install heatproof landing space on all three sides of the cooktop. It is good to have a vertical barrier to protect other areas from spatters and steam. These barriers are also perfect to plate meals.
All photos courtesy www.photobucket.com
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