Ideas for Kitchen Islands

For many, the kitchen island is the center of the entire kitchen design. A functional kitchen island helps create more food preparation space, serving space and becomes the center for social interaction. When designing a kitchen island, consider the size kitchen you have and what needs the island will serve. Does this Spark an idea?

Food Preparation

Having extra space in your kitchen is always helpful for those major cooking projects. Proper kitchen design makes things accessible and useful. If you are adding a kitchen island but retaining the rest of the kitchen design, you likely won't be adding the range to your kitchen island. But you may consider adding a sink to help with food preparation. Also, make sure you have enough space between the island and the other counter for easy movement, at least 42 inches. If you are doing a complete remodel, consider placing the range on the kitchen island to keep food prep next to the source of heat.

Clean Up

A sink is useful on an island. But to be truly effective, make sure the sink has a garbage disposal so you don't have to transfer food remnants to another sink or trash. Also consider installing a trash compactor in the base of the kitchen island to reduce drips along the floor.

Serving

A kitchen island allows you to prepare food and then serve it without taking more than a step or two. Adding a raised breakfast bar opposite the main area of food preparation makes cooking and serving much easier. Place seating with ample leg room for diners to sit comfortably while eating. You don't need to have a raised bar, but many people like this to separate food preparation areas to eating areas. A comfortable sitting area also makes people at ease to sit and talk while you prepare the meal. This encourages family discussions or friendly cups of coffee while getting your work done.

Storage

Many kitchen remodels tear out a wall to open the kitchen up to a dining or living room. When you do this, you sacrifice a major thing: storage. Cabinets are removed, leaving you with lots of items that need a place to go.

A good kitchen island design incorporates cabinets with pullout shelves to make cooking bowls and utensils readily available where you prepare your food. Other designs incorporate root storage bins to keep potatoes, onions and other food items stored in cool, dry and dark places. Add a bookshelf to keep cookbooks close at hand and a wine rack in view of the adjacent room so guests may pick a favorite.