Kitchen islands add beauty and versatility to one of the most frequently visited rooms in a home. A properly-made island can serve as a very practical addition to your kitchen, providing you with some much-needed extra workspace and dining space. Those who love to cook with appreciate the additional room probably more than anyone. Many design plans for kitchens factor in islands because of their desirability among residents and property owners.
What to Take into Consideration When Having an Island Designed
If you have been thinking about having an island added, the question you need to ask yourself is this: is there enough room for one? Kitchen islands that hog up space – or are in close proximity to your cabinetry – will only frustrate you. Think about the total square footage of the kitchen, as well as the factors below, before having an island added.
Don’t Make the Assumption That Small Kitchens Cannot Accommodate an Island
Because they make such versatile editions, an island can be modified to accommodate smaller kitchens. A kitchen island can be developed to have wheels or reduced depths. Further, alternative choices (like bar carts) can serve as a viable alternative to conventional kitchen islands. Ultimately, the kitchen’s actual size seldom remains an issue. The way a space gets used and the kitchen area’s shape are much more important aspects to consider.
Don’t Forget to Take Clearance into Consideration
There are much more to islands than just the size of them. Clearance remains an important aspect when it comes to island placement and installation. Clearance zones referred to spaces between the kitchen island and base cabinets (which are generally 1 m or 3’). When an island is installed, ensure that cabinets nearby can be completely opened. Appliances like your dishwasher should have sufficient clearance space, too. The last thing you want is to have an island interfering with existing appliances or conflicting with opened doors.
Optimize Efficiency
When islands are being added to small kitchens (or a kitchen that lacks extra space), room will be considered premium real estate. As such, an island needs to be multifaceted and practical, as far as its use is concerned. Islands that are well-designed can combine pan/pot storage, seati ng areas, a wine fridge, a cooktop, and a surface area. Islands that house both a dishwasher and sink will provide you with storage, such as the one shown in the picture below.
With regards to measurements, a fixed kitchen island’s recommended size is 1 m x 1 m (or 40” x 40”) with 88 mm (31.5”) of clearance space. For small kitchens, a well-positioned island may feel slightly snug if two people are cooking. In such places, one person will have ample room, but two people will feel cramped.
Islands and Their Proportions
On average, an island is about 1 m x 2 m (3’ x 6.5’). They have clearance measurements of approximately 1 m (40 inches). Distances surrounding an island establish its size. It is vital to keep these proportions in mind, as even in large kitchens, islands have the potential to take up a lot of room if they are improperly placed or too large. It may also be problematic to comfortably walk around or stretch across it. It also might not be situated close to cooking equipment or other relevant surfaces.
Consider Kitchen Peninsulas as Another Option
There are multiple ways of adding an island to your kitchen. Kitchen peninsulas are connected to one of your walls and come with three sides. They come with the same extra features that islands do, but don’t take up as much space and require less clearance. Peninsulas are perfect if you have a small kitchen, though each foot needs to be optimized as efficiently as possible.
By Planning Things Properly, Your Kitchen Island Can Be Installed Effortlessly
Kitchen islands warrant meticulous planning in order to mesh well with the room. The kitchen should be precisely measured. Ensure that it is capable of accommodating an island, to begin with. Don’t forget – even small kitchens can reap the rewards that islands bring, but the features, design, clearance, space, and location need to be considered before the addition of an island is even entertained. By planning things in advance, you’ll be able to bypass preventable errors and optimize the space of your kitchen.