How to Plan a Kitchen Island

Looking at Aspects of Kitchen Design

© James Mahoney

Sep 23, 2009
Kitchen Island Plan, IStockphoto
The kitchen island should incorporate all of what is important to the homeowner both in style and function.

When planning out a kitchen island the goal is to be able to load it with every item and fixture that one would want in the kitchen. A kitchen island can be any size, shape and color and no two are the same. The kitchen island should incorporate all of what is important to the homeowner both in style and function.

A kitchen island can encompass having a simple roll-about cabinet with a work counter to a more elaborate multi-purpose permanent structure that can anchor the entire kitchen floor plan. Kitchen islands are one of the most often desired components in new kitchen design.

A well-designed kitchen island will provide a place for people to congregate while at the same time separating those that are cooking and cleaning from those who are just hanging out. A well-designed kitchen island must be a workhouse in the kitchen to make the island worthy of the space it occupies.

A kitchen island should add warmth and richness to the kitchen. Kitchen islands can be used for storage, a cooktop or a sink. A cooker canopy can make can be added and become a focal point of the kitchen.

Design Aspects of Kitchen Islands

Design aspects that need to be considered in planning a kitchen island include shape, clearance, function, range, sink, multilevel counters, type of countertop material, power and water and consideration of design possibilities.

For instance, the counter for your kitchen island should be placed at least 36 inches away from any existing counter. Many kitchen designers agree that about 42 inches is preferred if possible. You should try to preserve the kitchen work triangle, which is defined as the space between the sink, refrigerator and stove. Doing so will preserve ease of movement between these three work areas.

What will be the shape of a kitchen island? The shape of a proposed island will be determined by the contour of your kitchen, following the room's basic outline. The more space available for the kitchen island the more kitchen fixtures and features that can be included in it

With space to pull up stools, a second set of dishwasher drawers, plenty of storage and a wood-trimmed granite top to complete the furniture look, it becomes a functional and fashionable piece.

Countertop Materials

The choice of a countertop material can create really make the kitchen island one of the most dramatic changes that can be made to the kitchen design. It is not necessary to have the countertop material match the material used on existing countertops. A really dramatic design statement can be made in the kitchen by selecting a completely different but complementary countertop material. There are many choices available including solid-surface material, tile, and stone such as granite.

Conclusion

For many homeowners the ideal kitchen must absolutely include a kitchen island. Kitchen islands are a great way to provide a kitchen design that can insure that the kitchen will be able to perform so many functions. It is for this and other reasons that a lot of kitchen designers want to focus on an including a kitchen island when planning out a custom kitchen for their clients.


The copyright of the article How to Plan a Kitchen Island in Kitchen Decor is owned by James Mahoney. Permission to republish How to Plan a Kitchen Island in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Kitchen Island Plan, IStockphoto
       


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