3 Questions To Ask When Planning a Kitchen Island

Tips for Designing The Perfect Kitchen Island

Part of the reason that kitchen islands are so popular is because they are so versatile. A kitchen island can add workspace, seating, and storage all in one. Its roots extend back to the colonial era when worktables were situated close to the hearth and used for both meal preparation and the eating thereof. In the 20th century, when open concept kitchens became the norm, they became popular again.

However, kitchen islands are not appropriate for all kitchens. Not all of them have the space to accommodate it, and it just may not fit in very well. If you are interested in integrating an island into your kitchen design but are not quite sure how to do it, here are some helpful questions to ask yourself first.

1. What Do You Want Your Kitchen Island To Do?

It is true that kitchen islands can serve many purposes at the same time. However, it is also true that you may rely on it to serve a specific function more often than others. If you are not sure which function your island will serve the most often, this is something that you have to give some thought to before the remodeling job begins. The primary function that your kitchen island serves will have some bearing on all the other decisions you make, including the size, shape, and materials used.

Do you plan to use your island primarily for dining or entertaining? If so, you should consider making it round or U-shaped so that diners or guests can see and interact with one another more easily when they are gathered around it. When your island is primarily for entertaining, people may either stand or sit around it. Therefore, you should make sure that the countertop is at a comfortable height for standing and also provide some seating that matches the height of the island. The seating should be comfortable, or people won't want to linger.

If you plan to use your kitchen island primarily for storage, it should be large enough to accommodate multiple cabinets and drawers. Including some of each makes the space more versatile. A square shape will probably provide the most room for storage, but if you also need more workspace or would like to add more visual interest, you may benefit from an L-shaped island. Don't assume that you have to limit your island storage to drawers or cabinets. If you are able to modify the plumbing and electrical wiring adequately, you may be able to put an appliance in the island as well, such as a dishwasher or garbage disposal.

If you intend to use your island primarily for cooking, an L-shaped or square island will probably serve you well. The most important consideration here is that the kitchen countertops are sufficiently durable to use as a workspace. Quartz, porcelain, recycled glass, and natural stone are all examples of attractive materials that are also very sturdy. It may also be convenient to add a small sink to the island if you can make the necessary plumbing changes.

2. How Large Is Your Kitchen?

If your kitchen is small, it doesn't necessarily mean that you can't have an island. However, it may mean that you have to modify the shape of your kitchen island so that it will fit.

An efficient kitchen design has unimpeded space to walk between the refrigerator, the range, and the sink. This is sometimes referred to as the "kitchen work triangle." The island should not obstruct this space, so you need to figure out the dimensions of your kitchen to determine the size that your kitchen island should be.

Choosing a different shape may allow you to get a bigger island than your kitchen would be able to accommodate otherwise. For example, a square island may fit more efficiently in the space than a circular one, but an L-shaped island may fit the available space even better.



3. What Is the Style of Your Kitchen?

Kitchen islands do not always match the cabinetry and countertops exactly. There are sometimes variations to make it stand out as more of a focal point. However, the island should match the overall design scheme of your kitchen. Therefore, if it is traditional and elegant, you may want to choose natural stone for the countertops, whereas if it is industrial, you probably want stainless steel accents.

You don't have to go through kitchen remodeling alone. For answers to questions that you have about your kitchen design, contact us at 707-578-1350.