The kitchen is one of the areas in your home where you spend the most time working. You need enough space to chop vegetables, cook meals, and wash dishes. That is why kitchen islands have been a popular fixture in kitchens for years, but some are wondering if they are going out of style.
Kitchen islands are not going out of style. They are an essential part of modern kitchens and more than just a passing trend. Kitchen islands provide much-needed additional workspace and storage.
This article examines kitchen islands and their many advantages. Read on to decide if a kitchen island is right for you and your home.
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Since when have kitchen islands been in trend?
Kitchen islands have been in trend since the 1980s. At that time, the kitchen evolved into a center of activity in the home, not just an area for food preparation and dining.
Kitchen islands became increasingly popular in the 1950s, shortly after World War II. It was during this time that popular home design began transitioning from closed-off living to open living. Kitchen islands are excellent for open living as they create separation between rooms without walls.
Open interior designs have many obvious benefits. However, removing walls also meant sacrificing storage space and workspace. The kitchen island provided a solution for that.
What is open living?
Open living is an architectural design concept that aims to create a more open, social space.
Shared areas such as the living room, kitchen, and dining area are not separated by walls. Instead, they are defined only by elements such as furniture, changes in flooring material, or differences in height.
Benefits of an open floor plan include:
- Light and air can move through the space. This makes your space feel wider and brighter.
- Perfect for family gatherings and parties. Living in an open space allows people to see and communicate with each other, as they are not separated by walls and other solid barriers.
- Open plans make it easy to watch the children. You can cook in the kitchen and easily keep an eye on your kids who might be spending their time in the living room.
Because they provide the necessary storage and workspace, kitchen islands are a great way to make open floor plans more practical in everyday life.
The Benefits of Kitchen Islands
If you are still on the fence about installing a kitchen island in your home, here are some benefits you can get from it:
Islands provide additional storage space
The mass of your kitchen island does not have to be a countertop with four solid sides. Installing an island provides the opportunity to add more storage space in various ways:
- Drawers: For utensils, supplies, or even a gathering place for your plastic bags, batteries, spare light bulbs, and more.
- Shelves: For your plates, cups, glasses, or other knick-knacks you want to display.
- Cabinets: If you do not have enough cabinets above or below your other kitchen countertops, you can install a few for storing cooking ingredients, cleaning supplies, and larger dishes.
Islands provide additional workspace
If you are preparing for parties or a large gathering, your kitchen countertop may not have enough space for all the tasks you need to do.
A kitchen island gives you more space to work. This allows more people to pitch in and help with cooking. Islands also provide space for placing finished dishes ready to be served. It can be a central hub in your kitchen where you can turn cooking into an opportunity to gather with your family and friends.
Islands can serve as a dining area
If you are in a hurry in the mornings and do not have time to set up the entire dining table for breakfast, you can turn your kitchen island into an informal dining area. All you need are a few bar stools for seating.
Your kitchen island can also be a place where you grab a quick snack and exchange stories with friends, or a place where kids can do their homework.
Storage space for appliances
With a kitchen island, you can integrate a built-in countertop appliance or an inset appliance. You can have a built-in stove, sink, oven, refrigerator or mini fridge, or your dishwasher.
If you are incorporating any of these appliances into your kitchen island, be sure to check for any additional requirements, such as plumbing, gas lines, or specific electrical work you may need to perform. Consider the space that opening an oven or dishwasher requires and whether the distance between your cooking island and countertop is sufficient.
Separate different areas without using a wall
When it comes to open living, kitchen islands are a great way to separate spaces while still keeping them connected in some way. The kitchen island acts as a solid dividing barrier that keeps the space visually open, bright, and airy.
You can cook on your kitchen island while conversing with people in the dining area and even watch your kids who might be hanging out in the living room.
Ideas to Spice Up Your Kitchen Island
You may already have a kitchen island or are thinking of having one installed. Read on for some design ideas for your kitchen island that you can try out.
Create an elegant design with waterfall islands
A kitchen island typically has a material like granite, quartz, or tile for its countertop.
Where traditional island countertops limit this material to the top only, a waterfall kitchen island has a countertop that extends over the sides of the island and down to the floor at a 90-degree angle.
Extend counter space with an overhang
On one side of the counter or on both sides where additional seating is to be placed, the counter extends or creates an overhang.
This overhang creates a recessed space that is enough for knees to be tucked like under a table beneath the counter. This way, a person can comfortably sit at the kitchen island without having to awkwardly lean forward to do tasks.
Looking for counter stools? Here is a set of two DHP Fusion Metal Backless Wood Seats from Amazon.com. These stools are compact and light, making them easy to store.
Utilize extra space as a creative display
Use your kitchen island for additional display shelves. Instead of stacking various pans or bowls, why not showcase some knick-knacks to add some personality?
You can also choose to paint one side of your kitchen island to add a bit of color to your space. By using tiles to decorate the sides of your kitchen island, you can also give it a different texture or visual dynamic.
Are all homes suitable for kitchen islands?
Not all homes are suitable for kitchen islands. Factors such as kitchen size, cost, and the flow of traffic in the house can affect a house’s compatibility with kitchen islands.
Small kitchens are not compatible with kitchen islands
The standard size for a kitchen island is about 60 cm x 120 cm. You need to have enough space around your kitchen island to move and work comfortably, not just pass through it.
The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recommends a minimum of 42 inches (107 cm) of clearance or space between the island and the counter on each side.
Consider the size of a kitchen island, the clearance, and the other countertops in your kitchen. A safe measure to use as a basis is that your kitchen should be at least 300 cm x 365 cm in size.
Island installation is often expensive
Adding a kitchen island to your culinary space can cost quite a bit, typically ranging from $1000 to $5000. In some cases, these costs can be even higher, depending on the materials, labor, and additional features built-in. Many people build an island into their kitchen while building the house, but it is also possible to add one to an already-existing kitchen.
Here is the general process you will need to go through when planning for the installation of a kitchen island:
- Measure your space.
- Set your budget.
- Plan your installation.
1. Measure your space
First and foremost, measure your kitchen space. The space needs to be large enough for your kitchen island but still provide enough room to comfortably move and work around the counters and island. This clearance needs to be larger if you plan to add additional drawers or appliances. Keep this in mind when evaluating your kitchen’s compatibility with a cooking island.
2. Set your budget
By creating your budget in advance, you can set aside the money for your kitchen remodel. A budget sets your limits and helps you make financial decisions throughout the process. A budget can help you determine where you may need to make adjustments for your kitchen island, whether that be in terms of materials, size, features, or appliances.
3. Plan your installation
The installation of your kitchen island requires time and space. Professional installation can take a day or less. If you are doing it yourself, it may take longer depending on your experience and the number of people working on your kitchen island.
You will not be able to use the entire kitchen during the installation, so you do not want to plan it at the same time as a party or dinner you will be hosting.
Professionals can help with difficult installations
You may need the assistance of a professional when installing your kitchen island. Professional help is especially useful if you have additional appliances or do not plan on installing them yourself. Depending on your individual needs, it may be worth the extra money to have a professional install your island. Look for installers in your area and see if their fees align with your budget.
Material availability may vary depending on location
Material costs for kitchen islands can be different for everyone. This is because you need to consider the accessibility, shipping, and availability of material from the area.
What if the material is not locally available? You can order online, but shipping can push the price out of your budget range. Research the required materials and their prices in advance, so you know what to expect for your island installation.
Alternatives to Kitchen Islands
Not every household is compatible with kitchen islands. If you cannot integrate a cooking island into your own kitchen, you can still enjoy some of the benefits of a kitchen island with the following alternative routes.
Kitchen tables provide additional workspace
A kitchen table gives you an additional workspace. This table can be used for food preparation, dining, and other activities.
A kitchen table offers the added advantage that it can be pushed to the side, against the wall, or completely out of the kitchen when space is needed. An island, on the other hand, is a permanent fixture.
Amazon.com has this MIERES Dining Table Set for 4 on offer, which not only serves as a workspace but also includes chairs. This makes it easy to use this table for dining in the kitchen.
If you prefer just a simple kitchen surface, you can try out this product from Amazon.com, HOOBRO Kitchen Island With Storage. This product has a simple rustic design that fits well in any home.
Kitchen carts provide additional storage in the kitchen
Rolling carts give you an additional workspace just like the kitchen table. Even more advantageous about a kitchen cart is that it can also offer you additional storage.
A cart can be easily rolled around to adjust its position as needed. This is especially helpful when you are working and moving around in the kitchen.
Hodedah Kitchen Island with Spice Rack, Towel Holder & Drawer is a cart that is practically a kitchen island on wheels. You can find this product on Amazon.com at a reasonable price.
Kitchen peninsulas allow for smooth workflow
A kitchen island is a freestanding fixture. On the other hand, a kitchen peninsula has one end connected to a wall of the kitchen. This can create a kitchen in an L or U shape.
The shape of a peninsula less disrupts the workflow in the kitchen.
A kitchen peninsula can be expanded to fit into kitchens of different sizes and offers almost the same benefits as a kitchen island.
Conclusion
Kitchen islands are not a passing trend – they have come to stay. Over the decades, kitchen islands have proven to be a valuable asset in the kitchen, providing more workspace and storage.
You can add style to your kitchen island with various design options, such as incorporating a waterfall kitchen island or using decorative materials.
However, not every kitchen is suitable for a kitchen island. The compatibility of an island heavily depends on the kitchen habits, needs, and budget of the user.