How to choose and integrate a kitchen island

How to choose and integrate a kitchen island

If you plan on rebuilding your kitchen, you should consider the integration of an island. This furniture unit is suitable for large kitchens, but solutions can also be found for smaller spaces. You could ask for the support of an interior designer to make sure you choose the most suitable type of island if your kitchen has an atypical shape.

The advantages of having a kitchen island are easy to spot: more work and storage space, the possibility of incorporating kitchen appliances, and space delimitation in an open-space kitchen. Aesthetic advantages should not be overlooked, while a kitchen island can nicely complement the design of this area.

What we should provide a kitchen island with

The island’s primary purpose also ‘dictates’ the items you will provide it with later on. Therefore, you have to answer the following question: what shall I use the kitchen island for? If you want to use it to prepare ingredients, you should incorporate a dishwasher, sink, and storage space for cutting boards and knives into the kitchen island to keep them at your fingertips. Also, place a rubbish bin as close as possible to the area, so you do not make many unnecessary strolls from one side of the kitchen to the other. If you want to use the island for cooking, then you should provide it with a stove and install a hood over it, then make sure you give enough storage space for your cooking utensils.

Last but not least, if you want to turn the island into a dining area, choose hardwood countertops for a warm ambiance and, under it, create storage space for plates and tableware and also for chairs.

Kitchen size vs. kitchen countertops size

The kitchen must be at least 250 sqft large in order to accommodate an island. There are situations when it can be included in a smaller space, for example, when the living room is an open-space type. The island’s size is dictated by the space remaining around it as you need freedom of movement and access to furniture. Therefore, it must be a distance of 30” between the island and the furniture, but not more than 60”. The idea is for you to be able to move around, but, at the same time, not move too much from one work area to another. On average, kitchen island countertops are between 40” and 120” long.

The height and width of the kitchen island tops

When you have a clear idea about the size of the kitchen and the island, you have to think about the height and width of the island. The height should be chosen according to the role your island will play in your kitchen. For example, if the island serves as a dining place, you can order an island with a more significant height of about 40” and bar seats (adjustable), or an island of 30” high for standard seats. On the other hand, if you intend to use the island as a working and cooking area, the island must have the same height as the kitchen furniture countertop, about 35”. The width depends on the role of the island and the size of the kitchen. You can choose a kitchen island top of 36” wide; the 26” being the width most commonly used for the kitchen countertops. Of course, these dimensions are only indicative, and they do not apply to atypical kitchens.