During the design process, a question we are often asked at FINE Cabinetry Kitchen & Bath Co. is whether or not a customer should consider installing an island in their kitchen.
Adding an island in your kitchen has many benefits, but you should also carefully consider other factors before deciding if an island is right for you.
FINE Cabinetry Kitchen & Bath Co. has established itself as the premier source for kitchen and bathroom design in Bucks County, PA. With over 20,000 satisfied customers, we are dedicated to helping our customers create unique kitchens and bathrooms for their homes!
Here we will briefly discuss some of the aspects of adding a kitchen island to your cooking space.
Don’t Get Stranded in the Kitchen
The single most important factor to consider when deciding whether or not to install a kitchen island is space. Although there are many sizes and designs to choose from, sometimes a smaller kitchen cannot accommodate a kitchen island.
The addition of a kitchen island should allow the free flow of traffic on all sides of the unit. An island should be proportionate to the space as not to overwhelm or underwhelm the surrounding kitchen elements. If an island has a seating area, additional walk-around space should be accounted for when someone is seated in the kitchen.
In smaller kitchens, the utilization of a movable cart or workspace can provide the benefits of an island without significantly reducing space.
Planning Your Island’s Purpose
Another important factor to consider when planning the addition of a kitchen island is it’s intended purpose. There are typically five different categories of kitchen islands:
- The working island: as the name suggests, these islands are most often work tables with some drawers and open shelving. They usually are “see-through,” allowing visual space to be unaffected by their presence, yet lack the storage capabilities of enclosed kitchen islands.
- The storage island: a built-in enclosed kitchen island that adds counter and storage space to any kitchen.
- A prep and wash station: more complicated than a standard kitchen island, these units include a sink and washing area. They also have counter space for cooking and meal prep.
- The dining island: often found in larger kitchens, dining islands serve the needs of casual eating in the space.
- The cooking island: this type of island incorporates a range area so that cooking can be done in the kitchen center. Keep in mind the need for additional ventilation if going with this type of unit.
Some larger configurations combine elements of two or more of the above island designs. This would enable you and your family to dine on an island while other family members prepare the meal.
Cast Away the Old Ideas of Island Design
With today’s selection of unique and personalized kitchen islands, you no longer think about units being boxy and cumbersome blocks in the middle of the cooking space. Kitchen islands now come in a plethora of designs, allowing you to find an island that perfectly matches your kitchen’s appearance. From modern stainless steel to vintage farmhouse, today’s kitchen islands are the perfect complement for any design.
At FINE Cabinetry Kitchen & Bath Co., we will take you step-by-step through the design process. Our staff will evaluate your current kitchen space and determine the best island to suit your needs. With over 60 years of experience in kitchen remodeling in Bucks County, PA, and the surrounding areas, FINE Cabinetry Kitchen & Bath Co. takes pride in providing the best kitchen and bath remodeling services to our customers. For more information, please contact us today!
