Kitchen Island - A Popular Addition to the Kitchen

What are the Benefits of a Kitchen Island?

When you think of an island, you don’t usually associate it with the indoors or the central hub of most households. However, kitchen islands are fast becoming one of the most popular additions to the average family kitchen. Figures from the American National Kitchen and Bath Association show that more than 50 percent of kitchens created now include islands.

So what makes a kitchen island such an essential element of a functional kitchen? They serve many purposes but perhaps their most important function is they provide extra preparation and storage space. Most people who spend a lot of time in the kitchen will agree, there never seems to be enough counter top space.

A kitchen island can provide an easy solution to the lack of storage and counter space within close proximity to the key work areas in your kitchen.

Kitchen islands come in all shapes and sizes; designs can be as basic as a table with legs to a complex multi-level work station that incorporates prep and eating areas, plus cook tops, sinks, warming ovens, refrigerator draws, wine chillers, dishwashers, display space. A large majority of homeowners follow a center orientated island, while others opt for a more custom look.

A kitchen island can also help to create a more casual and social place for your family to enjoy. Instead of dining at a formal table you could gather around the island. A kitchen island can also serve as a great buffet, just place all the food and plates on it and let your guests or family members circle around it. Kitchen islands don’t need to be fixed either, you could always opt for a portable island that you can put on wheels and move around the room.

If you do decide to choose a fixed island design, make sure there is plenty of space between the island and other work areas so you can allow for the opening of cabinet and appliance doors as well as allowing for two people to move easily in the area.

Whether you opt for a center or custom isle, the following measurements can serve as a general guideline for space allocation. Allow a minimum of 36 to 42’ as a walkway between existing cabinets and the island. You can allow less space between the island and plain walls (36”) but it does need to be further away (42” or more) from appliances such as refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers.

 

 

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