Guide to Having a Kitchen Island at Home

Why they're so popular, and what to note if you want one

A kitchen island is a versatile and practical addition that can transform your culinary space into a more practical and social area. Among its top benefits is that it can serve as an additional seating area when entertaining or as extra counter space when preparing meals and cooking. Many kitchen islands include built-in storage such as drawers, cabinets, or open shelves (as seen below), making it easy to store utensils, cookware, and other kitchen items.

Given its benefits, many homeowners sought out a kitchen island as an essential addition to their home. If you are planning to add one to your home, here are some things to consider when designing the perfect island that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional.

1. Determine the island's primary function

Before making a purchasing decision, consider the main purpose of your island. Will it be primarily used for doing dishes, cooking, dining, extra storage space, or a combination of these functions?

Once you have figured out its functionality, you can decide how to design your island. Take this monochrome kitchen as an example, if you want your island to function as a place to prepare food, cook, and enjoy meals. The spacious island with a quartz counter comes with a sink, an electric hob, and an empty surface for enjoying meals.

It’s important to keep in mind that a multifunctional island may require additional plumbing and electrical appliance installation expenditures. If you are tight on budget, keep your island designs simple or choose only one or two practical additions.

2. Ensure sufficient space around the island

The overall size of your island is important, whether it is round, L-shaped (like the lovely island below), square, or rectangular. A large island in a small kitchen can overwhelm the space, while a small island in a large kitchen might feel insignificant.

Before installing an island, measure the available space in your kitchen to determine how much room you have for the island. The island should ideally not obstruct the flow of traffic in the kitchen. Ensure that you have enough space to walk around your island (at least a metre) without feeling cramped. If your island has storage underneath, examine if you can still walk around it without bumping into anything when your cupboards or drawers are open.

3. Choose a suitable countertop material

When purchasing an island, consider what type of materials would be suitable for your counter. There are several factors to consider, including functionality, durability, maintenance requirements, and, of course, budget.

First, determine how you plan to use the island. If you plan to spend a lot of time in your kitchen, especially on the island, you should choose materials that can withstand regular use. Look for materials that are resistant to scratches, stains, heat, and moisture. Granite, quartz (as seen in this dry kitchen), and concrete are popular options known for their durability.

Different materials have different maintenance requirements. Some require regular sealing or polishing, while others require less. Consider your lifestyle and how much time you’re willing to devote to maintenance. For example, natural stone countertops, such as granite and marble, may require periodic sealing, while quartz counters are non-porous and do not.

Different materials also come with different price points, so it's essential to establish a budget before buying your island. Natural stone countertops like granite and marble are typically more expensive, while options like laminate are more budget-friendly. Quartz is a popular mid-range option.

4. Choose the right colour palette

Choosing the right colour scheme for your kitchen island can significantly impact the overall look and feel of your kitchen. Consider the following factors when selecting colours:

Take into account the colours already present in your kitchen, such as the cabinets, countertops, backsplash, walls, and flooring. You'll want your island colour to complement and enhance the existing colour scheme rather than clash with it. This can be accomplished by choosing a colour that matches or contrasts with the dominant hues of the kitchen.

For example, if your kitchen is neutral in hue, consider adding a pop of colour on the island to enhance visual interest, as shown in this farmhouse-chic kitchen. Aside from the island cabinets, you can also experiment with the colours of the countertop, drawer pulls, lighting, and hardware.

Another approach is to match the shade of your island to the colour of your flooring, backsplash, counter, or built-ins, as shown in this modern home. This contributes to the space's sense of continuity.

5. Find suitable lighting for the island

The kitchen island is naturally the focal point of a room, so it is important to choose lighting that can enhance its aesthetic. On top of that, it needs to be functional as well.

Ensure that the lighting fixtures you choose provide sufficient light for the island's intended use. Task lighting is essential for providing adequate illumination while chopping or cooking. If you want to use the island mostly for dining or entertaining, consider adding ambient and accent lighting to create a warm and inviting ambiance. Plinth lighting can also add a touch of drama and grandeur to your island.

The size and shape of your kitchen island will influence the type and placement of lighting fixtures. For a long or rectangular island, consider installing multiple pendant lights evenly spaced along its length, as seen in this modern kitchen. A single pendant light or a group of smaller pendants can work nicely for a smaller or square-shaped island.

6. Be clever with how you incorporate seating

An island seating arrangement is a great way to create a sociable space and encourage people to sit and spend time gathered in the kitchen. But before you start shopping for chairs, there are a few things you should consider.

First, evaluate what you intend to use the island for. If you only want to use it for quick meals, consider backless stools that can be tucked beneath the island when not in use. This gorgeous contemporary kitchen perfectly illustrates the point.

However, if you plan to use the island for long conversations or entertaining, consider adjustable seats with supportive backrests, cushioning, or armrests to enhance comfort for long periods of sitting, as seen in this stylish dry kitchen.

If your space is too small, you may want to skip the seating altogether to avoid cramping up the space.

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