The Kitchen Island. Everything you need to know.
The Kitchen Island.
A kitchen island is an elegant yet functional element in a kitchen. It serves three main purposes: food preparation, dining and storage. If you stay up to date on latest trends, you will know that kitchen islands have become the most desired feature in modular kitchen interior design. This is a trend which shows absolutely no sign of slowing down, but, while they are attractive and incredibly practical, they can push the boundaries of a budget. However if you choose smartly, you can get the island of your dreams without breaking the bank.
How big should my Island be?
Kitchen Islands do not have standard dimensions. However, as a rule of thumb, a kitchen island must have a walkway of between 900 – 1000 millimeters all the way around. This is to allow a comfortable space to maneuver, to open your cabinet doors and to use your appliances with ease.
It is best to base the size of your island on the size of your room. It can be all too tempting to go for an extremely large Island. But, depending on the size of your space, this can be overpowering. On the other hand, an island that is too small can look just as out of place. Considering the size of your room, your storage needs, and how you want your Island to function will best determine its size.
Which kitchen layout is the best fit for an Kitchen Island?
Kitchen Islands are best suited for L-shaped or straight kitchens with open walls.
In a straight kitchen with open walls, the extra space is best utilised by an island that works as a breakfast bar or dining area. This provides ample space to move around freely, and plenty of room to include a hob or sink, therefore, freeing up valuable counter space in the rest of the kitchen.
Similarly, if your kitchen is L-shaped and big enough to house an island, you will have lots more storage to keep things organised, and plenty of space for family and friends to gather around. If you are shorter on space you could consider a peninsula, this works similarly to an Island, but would be attached to either the wall or your base cabinets with space to move around three sides instead of four.
Can I add an island to my existing kitchen?
Yes, it is possible to add an island into an existing kitchen!
Here is what you need to consider:
Space – Allow at least 900mm of maneuvering space around where you intend to place your island (it can be helpful to measure out the area on your floor with tape, this will give you an idea of size and space).
Make sure you can still open all of your existing cabinets, access your appliances and move around freely.
Style – if your current kitchen has shaker or traditional doors, choose the same style for your island, similarly if your doors are modern or minimalist, stick to this style for your island.
Colour – If you cant match your existing door colours, dont worry! Contrasting, complimenting and two tone kitchens look beautiful when done properly. Our design experts will be happy to help you make decisions on colours and finishes.
Worktops – We can easily replace your worktops and fit your island on the same day.
How many people I can seat at my kitchen island?
Work on the basis that 600mm per person usually results in a comfortable space between adults.
You can go down to 500mm per person if you don’t mind a bit of a squeeze or if a mix of adults and children will be sitting at the island.
When shopping for seating, keep in mind there is a difference in height between bar stools and counter stools, counter stools are generally shorter and better suited for island seating.
You should consider the worktop overhang you will require for people to sit comfortably
The minimum worktop overhang is 200mm.
The standard overhang for a breakfast bar is 250mm.
While 300mm is the most comfortable knee space for an average-sized adult, you would need brackets to support the worktop if the overhang is greater than 300mm.
Can I get an Island on a smaller budget?
Yes, there are number of ways to save money when considering a kitchen island!
You can create an island from as little as 1 or 2 cabinets, but the minimum size that we recommend for a kitchen island is 1000mm x 1000mm. This will still create a practical working island.
If you are trying to keep costs down, opt for doors instead of drawers on your island.
Adding a sink, hob or oven to your island will drastically push up the price. Stick to a simple breakfast bar with base cabinets and a worktop.
Skip a waterfall edge on your worktop and opt for a simple overhang.
If you are thinking of renovating your entire kitchen, consider saving money buy keeping your existing cabinets and replacing your cabinet doors, get in touch with us for more information on our Reface Service.
