Kitchen Islands
Installing a kitchen island is a great way to add additional work space and decorative interest to your kitchen. Most people think of elaborate custom built islands with electrified, plumbed and tiled cooking centers when they imagine a kitchen island, but it doesn't have to be so extravagant. It can also be as simple as a small table. Continue reading and you will find out some helpful ideas for how to add an island to your kitchen.
In recent times, kitchens have been getting larger and larger and kitchen designers are now using industrial appliances, state-of-the-art cabinets and top-end countertop materials. To enhance the kitchen even more, designers are including a kitchen island whenever possible. Kitchen islands look great in most kitchens and they are loved by many homeowners for creating more work space, more room to entertain and more storage space. They also provide an additional place for cooking and storing appliances.
The design of your kitchen island can be one of many. Some prefer to have a simple flat surface island to be used for preparing food, dining, and storing regular kitchen items. Other designs consist of multi-level units and islands that contain architectural details such as bump-outs, corner posts, inset areas, and open shelving. The more complex the design becomes, the more personality and style you will be adding to your kitchen. Keep in mind, when it comes to your islands design, you have the option of blending it in with the design of the rest of the kitchen or giving it a design that distinguishes it from everything else.
Most people enjoy turning their kitchen islands into the focal point of the room. This is typically done by designing an elaborate custom-built island that includes fine cabinetry, a sink, granite counters, a dishwasher, wine racks, deep fryers, shelves, a cooktop, an oven and even a mini refrigerator. The truth is that there are no limits to how elaborate you want your kitchen island to be. They can be made to any dimensions, with any combination of shelves, drawers, pull-outs, etc.
The first thing you should do when considering an island is to think about how you want to use the kitchen island. Is additional storage your main concern? Are you looking for extra countertop space? Do you plan on adding a second sink, cooktop or refrigerator to your island? Will you need to add electricity or plumbing? The options are virtually endless so let your imagination go wild, but also remain practical and budget conscious.
Kitchen islands can be placed just about anywhere in your kitchen, granted you have enough room. A great way to see if an island will fit into your kitchen is to pile up empty moving boxes in the size and shape of the island you'd like. Place these boxes exactly where you are considering an island to go and keep them there for about a week. This will give you an idea of whether an island with comfortably fit into your kitchen and if it will obstruct any important traffic. Also, observe how the size works in relation to your appliances and layout. Feel free to alter the size to see what works best.
Tips for making a Kitchen Island fit:
- The walkway between island and stationary cabinets should be about 36 to 42" wide.
- 36" is enough clearance if the island is to be located by a flat wall.
- 42" or more is required if the kitchen island stands near a stove, refrigerator, or dishwasher.
- Make sure that you can easily open and close doors of appliances without hitting the new island.
- The height of the island can vary depending on personal preference.
- Try to keep the kitchen triangle (movement between stove, sink and refrigerator) working after the kitchen island has been installed. Consider a portable island for versatility and convenience.
Interested in More Information About Kitchen Remodeling?
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