While most kitchen designs can accommodate an island, some may not have enough space, such as a small kitchen. An island may also get in the way of reaching work areas (such as a sink, refrigerator, and cooktop) without having to cross through the island. Even when an island is feasible, a peninsula might give you more seating space and a spacious appearance. Typically, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, it is recommended to leave at least 42 inches between an island and the cabinets and appliances surrounding it. If a kitchen includes a seating island, allow at least 60 inches for wheelchair access. If many cooks use the kitchen, designate a 48-inch-wide work aisle.
Dream your desired kitchen in Irvine. Click here to get professional advice.
Contents
How To Use The Kitchen Island?
Consider that if you choose an island with all the bells and whistles, running gas, electric, and plumbing lines can add to the price.
-
cooking:
As part of the cooking island, you can include appliances such as a stove, oven, microwave, and warming drawers. Be sure to factor in ventilation requirements as well.
-
Preparing meals:
For meal preparation, an island with a prep sink should have a continuous, broad surface. A dishwasher makes post-meal cleaning a breeze.
-
Having fun:
An island used for entertainment must have enough space on the countertop for serving or dining, and the area outside of the work zones ought to be large enough for guests to mingle or socialize.
Top 6 Ways To Think About The Kitchen Island Ideas For Small Spaces In 2022
The Advantages Of Having A Kitchen Island
Kitchen islands come with a variety of advantages. Here are just a few to consider:
1. A Storage Space
When you dwell in a tiny house or wish to keep your furniture to a minimum, storage space might be tough to come by. Kitchen islands usually have cabinets underneath where you can store bulky items like flour. Additionally, it’s a great place to store plates and kitchenware.
2. A Place To Sit
You can convert a kitchen island into a dining table by adding stools or seating along the outside edge. You can now eat near the kitchen and have a table without having to put one up. It can serve multiple purposes.
3. Ample Counter Space
if you’re working in an open kitchen, you may lack enough counter space for preparing complex meals. A kitchen island provides more workspace for cutting meals, soaking or drying stuff, or gathering all the ingredients you’ll need.
Make your island countertop look like granite with these ideas, watch the video
The Disadvantages Of Having A Kitchen Island
You may be wondering what the drawbacks of having a kitchen island are now that we’ve covered all the benefits. To my knowledge, there aren’t any real disadvantages to having a kitchen island. An island would not be appropriate, however, in some scenarios and kitchen designs. Here are a few examples:
1. In The Case Of A Small Kitchen
If you have a closed kitchen with a door, then a kitchen island isn’t viable or appropriate for your house. It’s like placing a dining room table in your bedroom if you squeeze it into your kitchen. If that’s the case, it will look odd and out of place. Instead, you should get a dining table.
2. In The Case Of Having A Dining Table
In the case of a beautiful dining table, there is no need for a kitchen island. Although islands offer some storage, they are effectively the same thing. Please don’t overdo it, and keep both pieces intact.
KITCHEN LAYOUT PLANNING AND EXAMINATION
Is A Kitchen Island A Great Place For Design?
An island doesn’t have to be rectangular to be functional. If your kitchen is large and has a layout that suits your needs, you can customize its shape or simply emphasize an area of your kitchen. Some of the more common rectangular alternatives are rounded L-shaped and T-shaped islands.
The use of freestanding islands, such as carts and tables, helps to keep a small kitchen from feeling cramped. These islands, however, are less durable than built-in models. Inbuilt islands resemble furniture. They are usually created to order and include any island feature, such as seating, appliances, storage, and fixtures.
If you design your island, think about what type of lighting you’d like it to have, such as recessed, ceiling-mount, or natural light. Such lighting improves a kitchen the most. Traditionally, chandeliers have been used over islands because they provide task lighting inside the work area.
Choosing a dark wood finish or tone for your island base will stand out in a room that has a light, primarily neutral cabinets. If your perimeter cabinets are basic, consider a striking island with curving corbels, crown moulding, or twisted legs to project the whole room.
Kitchen Island Design Tips
Here is where the fun begins: designing the kitchen island! We will discuss some of the latest trends in kitchen island design here, from a movable island to a countertop that squeezes! We’ll also cover the fundamentals, like kitchen island lighting ideas, size and shape, countertop material, and more. Keep reading to find out more!
-
The Latest Trends In Kitchen Island Design
For the year 2021, we’ve compiled some of the most popular kitchen island design trends. Let us first point out that sensations arise and fade, but they don’t disappear completely. Trends come back periodically, which means they will return in the future. You should not be fretting if your design does not match recent trends – wait a while, and your work will be hot again!
If we’re talking about periodic trends, the retro aesthetic is in! Retro kitchen islands are elegant and sophisticated, reminiscent of films from the 1980s. Make an island that can perform all three functions while looking charmingly vintage.
TIPS TO FIND THE BEST KITCHEN REMODELING CONTRACTORS FOR YOUR 2021 REMODELING PROJECT
You can choose from an array of unconventional shapes and styles, or you can select some hidden storage. People choose unusual counter shapes that match their homes’ aesthetics and requirements, such as L-shaped counters, hexagons, circles, and more. When your living area requires a central focal point, and you want the island to play that role, you will not use a bare rectangular island. Because hidden kitchen cabinets face the kitchen, they also appear elegant and minimalist in design.
If you attach casters to the bottom, you can move and install a stylish, movable kitchen island almost anywhere you want! You might assume it’ll appear odd and bizarre – and it will – but with the right design, it can seem both innovative and strange. The key to success is a large area, an attractive design, and simplicity.
You can use the island’s countertop to create different working zones within the kitchen. For example, butcher block is a common material for islands primarily used for food preparation, but marble is more famous for islands used for baking. You don’t need to stick to flat objects; many homeowners mix up the materials over the island, for example, by adding a butcher block.
HOW MUCH A HOME REMODELING COSTS IN ORANGE COUNTY (2021)
-
Optimize Storage
- Use these options when designing cabinets for your island. Regardless of what you plan on doing with your island, you’ll almost certainly require storage.
- The deep drawers in the cabinets are a fantastic solution for storing bulky objects, including pots and large mixing bowls. Drawers are also a wonderful solution for storing small kitchen appliances since they can be accessed quickly without searching deep into the cabinets.
- The vertical slots in the kitchen make it easier to store baking sheets and to serve trays. An open shelf makes it easy to access cookbooks, utensils, and even everyday dinnerware.
- Open shelves allow you to access cookbooks, serving dishes quickly, and even everyday dinnerware.
- An island can also be adorned with display storage, such as glass-front cabinets or shallow open shelves, to display collections.
- Dishes, silverware, or cutlery can be held in drawer plugs to maximize drawer space. Pins can typically be customized to meet a variety of needs.
- A recycling area on your island can benefit the environment. Having outlets for electricity helps with food preparation. Additional features can turn your island into a display that meets your kitchen’s needs.
Update your kitchen island by free estimate in Devine Home Design.
-
Convenience Is Key
It is vital to choose furniture that is both visually pleasing and functional, and easy to use. Shelf heights that require you to stand on tiptoes, drawers that become clogged repeatedly, a cabinet that rattles when you open it, or a countertop that you constantly bump into would be uncomfortable.
Planned kitchen islands with seating usually result in one of two failures: they are either square or perfectly rectangular (like a stick of butter), forcing you to tilt forward and bruise your knees on the storage cabinets.
Or, It might be more practical to have a countertop that sticks out a bit, making eating easy (and your knees happy), but bumping your head on the countertop whenever you reach for something from the storage area.
-
Choosing The Proper Lighting
When it comes to kitchen island lighting, do not overwhelm yourself. Focus on a clear and practical approach. Your kitchen island will be the focal point of the room, and you’ll spend a lot of time there. You want a pleasant and quiet lighting environment. Kitchen islands ought to look like permanent fixtures in your home, rather than merely a one-time purchase.
Place a fluorescent light above the work surface, so it directly illuminates it. We don’t suggest putting bulbs in the storage area because it isn’t necessary. Instead, use a simple overhead fixture that isn’t too harsh on the eyes. A good light should not be too dark where you can’t see your food, nor is it too bright where your eyes feel hurt.
People who suffer from migraines have to be extra cautious when working on the island for long periods. If you are going to be on the island for a long time, ensure you don’t have a migraine.
Count on our top-notch professionals for any kitchen remodeling ideas you require
-
The Ideal Form And Dimension
If you want something modern and stylish, an odd shape might be the ideal design for your home. However, you should look for sufficiently rounded since you don’t want to get trapped in an island shaped like a triangle while doing your tasks. The best shape to use would be a hexagon, square, oval, or circular – anything unusual and safe.
Kitchen islands with rectangular shapes are famous. Most likely, you’ve seen hundreds of photos of them, and you’re familiar with the way they look. They have a lot of benefits, including space efficiency, a comfortable sitting area, and compatibility with many designs.
It’s ideal to have a kitchen island at least 4 feet by 5 feet, although you can opt for something a little smaller if that’s what you want. Be sure there’s at least 2 feet of space around it to allow you to move around it freely. Check that the planning process uses the available space well if you are planning an unusual shape. Otherwise, you will not get as much space as possible (most people have the opposite problem).
-
Countertop Material
Wood or granite are common choices for countertops in the kitchen, but what should you have on your kitchen island? The countertop should be easy to maintain, simple to use, and blend in with your home’s decor. You should not choose a quartz countertop if your home is primarily rustic and antique.
Choosing countertops that require little or no maintenance is essential. Both wood and granite offer several benefits over one another, including being easy to work with, lasting for decades if properly cared for, and having a timeless aesthetic. In terms of weight, however, they differ significantly.
Food hygiene and visual appeal demand regular maintenance and cleaning of porous materials like granite and marble, while laminate, quartz, and solid-surface surfaces need less maintenance and cleaning.
You’ll appreciate having a mobile island if you like to reorganize your home or if you’re planning to relocate soon. Granite isn’t a good choice for this because it’s so bulky. Instead, use stone for repaired pieces of furniture. However, if you plan to move it, the kitchen island might not be the best place to put it.
In contrast, granite is a better choice than wood if you’re not planning on replacing your countertop any time soon and want to give your home some character. Its lush, natural design is lovely, and it’s sure to give your home a sense of energy.
Visit our professionals for more information
To Sum It Up
An island is a fantastic kitchen design because they double as a dining table and provide additional counter space. They also look great! We have discussed kitchen islands today – their advantages, when they are not the right choice, and designing the perfect kitchen island – form, dimension, light, and everything in between!
I hope this article was helpful to you. You can explore all the essential information you need about kitchen design at Devina Home Design, including tips and tricks. Additionally, Devina Home Design has given you the option to renovate the building in installments so you can dream of a more attractive home without having to worry about the cost.
REFRENCES
Ebert, J. (N.D). Kitchen island ideas – 25 clever ways make a statement. Homes & Gardens. https://www.homesandgardens.com/spaces/decorating/kitchen-island-ideas-202887
Kitchen Island Design Tips & Recommendations. (2015, June 08). Better Homes & Gardens. https://www.bhg.com/kitchen/island/kitchen-island-design/
Sweet, J. (2011, October 11). 4 award-winning tips for designing kitchen islands. Proremodeler. https://www.proremodeler.com/4-award-winning-tips-designing-kitchen-islands
Kitchen island design tips and ideas. (N.D). Mastering Kitchens. https://masteringkitchens.com/kitchen-island-design-tips-and-ideas/
0 comments