The kitchen is the heart of the home and how that space is designed reflects how it is utilized. It is not only a place to come together and share meals, stories, and quality time, but also serves as a social focal point when entertaining guests. Whether you are simple and find peace in your kitchen or emphasize the social potential, here are some things to consider about kitchen islands before you decide to buy one and have it be the centerpiece for your kitchen.  

Why Islands?

Preparing food back in the day was restricted to the countertop, meaning there was roughly three feet of space and while working you were oriented towards a plain wall. Now, with the increasing popularity of backsplashes there is at least an aesthetic view while working, but it hasn’t changed the way that food is prepared.

Arguably the most beneficial aspect of a kitchen island is the Extra Space. With the addition of extra countertop space for preparation, or simply staging a kitchen, homeowners have the ability to promote a social experience and maximize the utility of the kitchen. Many people find that kitchens provide a variety of utility other than just cooking. Often it is a peaceful place to get work done and the addition of a kitchen island with chairs helps increase a kitchen’s utility.

The extra space doesn’t stop there because the Versatility of kitchen islands is outstanding. They range from small and simple, to large, complex, and often are used as areas for primary dining. Simple kitchen islands vary in purpose. They serve mainly as extra space but have the potential to tie together a room and make it seem either more aesthetically pleasing or more organized. On the opposite spectrum includes complex kitchen islands that have the ability to incorporate appliances, create a new dining station, and the most important to us…EXTRA STORAGE!

Having Extra Storage like cabinets, drawers, and appliances is an easier trick to making your kitchen appear more organized in general. It has the ability to create a visual focal point, which many people use to accentuate the contrast between the kitchen cabinets/appliances and the island itself. Alternative reasoning is just as common because islands minimize walking distance in comparison to an open floor plan kitchen. This means less walking back and forth or across the kitchen in order to get to appliances, prep areas, or kitchen utensils. It can create a flow or pattern of travel that is more useful in everyday life, from utility or purpose to visual appeal.

With the increasing popularity of kitchen islands in homes, the potential for resale and the impact on resale value can be viewed as either a positive or negative addition. Often times it adds value and a unique touch to the kitchen that many home buyers prefer (76% to be exact in a study done by the National Association of Home Builders).

Other Considerations:

·      Fit to the flow of the room

It doesn’t make sense to have your kitchen be cluttered while the rest of the house is open. Make sure the addition of an island is both purposeful and effective.

·      Size to dine

Depending on how large the family is, or how much you prefer to entertain, the size of the island should correlate if you are aiming to make it a primary dining space or a social focal point. This doesn’t mean get an island that is too large for your kitchen, rather consider how you could comfortably fit in the kitchen while sitting or standing. It is also important to consider what and where storage is on the island to ensure legs or chairs will not be in the way or possibly break things.

·      Not all are created equal

Although it is seemingly obvious, it is important to know your options when it comes to kitchen islands or alternative solutions. Find a style and design that best emphasizes you and your house.

·      Extra utility

Similar to extra storage and space, utility can be added by incorporating outlets or USB ports to increase versatility and purpose.

·      Most common kitchens

There is not a right and wrong so to say for kitchen islands, however it is found that islands tend to fit and work best in kitchens that are U or L-shaped. Much of the reasoning is to decrease space from adjacent or parallel countertops, but can often hinder the work triangle in the kitchen.

·      Alternatives

Peninsulas and Island carts are good alternatives for those who like an open floor plan or smaller kitchens. Peninsulas create effective work environments without taking up the same space as islands and make the kitchen appear a little more enclosed. Island carts are useful if you are the type of person that strives on change and does not like the commitment of a permanent island.

Here at UR Cabinets, we aren’t trying to convince the average homeowner that islands are a necessity because that simply isn’t true. Every kitchen has a unique style and we believe in maximizing the potential and effectiveness of the space at hand. To make it easier to imagine life with or without kitchen islands, we have a team dedicated to designing and revising potential client projects. As a company that prides itself in its cabinetry services, we believe we are much more than that and strive to make every client satisfied not only through our products, but the way in which we work to help you achieve your dream kitchen or bathroom.   

Information and Design Speculation Courtesy of:

Houzz - “The Pros and Cons of Kitchen Islands”

Martha Stewart – “Choosing a Kitchen Island”

Better Homes & Gardens – “Designing Kitchen Islands and Peninsulas”