The Benefits of a Kitchen Island
If you’re at that stage in your kitchen planning project where you’re deliberating over whether to take the plunge yourself, the first point to consider is your overall kitchen space:
It’s important to be realistic about the space you’re working with. We recommend there’s a distance between the island and other units of around one metre. Whilst this isn’t set in stone, anything less can start to compromise the functionality and aesthetic of your kitchen.
If it’s not possible to incorporate a full-sized island (including a hob and heaps of seating space), there may well be alternatives.
A breakfast bar, for example, is an extension of a conventional worktop and provides seating and additional storage. Similarly, a kitchen layout that is U-shaped can meet the needs of a ‘sociable’ living space. There are also freestanding-style options that look beautiful when thoughtfully designed into the overall kitchen.
Once you’ve decided that a kitchen island is a good idea, there are heaps of benefits to look forward to.
Sociable Surface Space
Because your island is in the centre of the kitchen, you can feel connected with others whilst prepping meals, rather than potentially facing a wall. A kitchen island with seating would be perfect for chatting with guests, helping the kids with their homework, looking out to the garden, and also knocking up the evening meal for guests.
Extra Storage
There’s no such thing as too much storage space, right? Deep drawers with hidden pull-out compartments will be the de-cluttering saviours of your kitchen workspace. Perfect for storing pots, pans and ambient food, or you may have room for that wine fridge you’ve always wanted.
Kitchen Triangle Rule
An island is a great way to close the gap between your hob, sink and fridge, AKA ‘The Kitchen Triangle.’ This is an important consideration if there are a few keen cooks in the kitchen. The less you cross paths, the less you’ll get in each other’s way.
Focal point
Let’s be honest. There’s a reason everyone wants an island – they look fantastic! When designing your colour scheme, having an island gives you many more options to inject some individuality. Consider a contrast with furniture colours and materials for a modern or industrial look, or choose different perimeter and island worktops for a striking finish.
Contact Us for Kitchen Island Ideas
We’ve created a handy guide with heaps of different kitchen island design examples, take a look here. If you’re interested in adding an island to your kitchen design, get in touch with our designers today.
Call us on 020 8629 0438 or you can book an appointment at any one of our kitchen showrooms in London, Brighton & Hove, or Horsham.