Kitchen Island Design Ideas

The kitchen is perhaps the most visited part of any home. Here is where hearty meals are lovingly prepared and shared over pleasant conversation among family and friends. Here is where kids sneak off to eat ice cream in the middle of the night. Here is where couples end their rendezvous with microwave snacks just before dawn. Here is where cups of coffee are savored and papers are read every morning. Whatever time of day it is, there's always someone using the kitchen as a refuge of sorts. That's why it is only fair that the kitchen be given special treatment, beginning with no less than a makeover. A kitchen makeover is a great way to customize your kitchen according to the needs of your family. For example, young families need child-friendly furniture, while growing families need more modern appliances to cater to the teenagers' food choices. The kitchen island design is one that fits the needs of most families. It's a safe choice regardless of the style, such as country, contemporary, or futuristic, you want to employ for your kitchen.

Kitchen Island designs are important to consider if you think a kitchen island would fit in well with your current setup. If you have decided that a kitchen island is a good idea (and it usually is, if you want more work space and/or eating space).

Kitchen island design options offer so many features, whether it be more cabinets for storage, a sink to aid in food preparation, a wine rack or bookshelf, a stove or dishwasher, and the list goes on. Once you have decided on your island's primary function, then you can set about choosing the particular design and features to be included that will optimize your time.

Whatever the chief function of your island is to be, the necessary items to make it happen should be stored within easy reach. For example, if it is to be mainly used for cooking, then cabinets for pots and pans with drawers for utensils and spices are priority. If food preparation is the ideal chief function of the island design, then space for knives, cutting boards and small appliances such as food processors is what you are after. If the kitchen island in your home is to be a center point for gathering, then seating space and counter space for homework plus food preparation are your top needs.

Here are some things to consider so that you choose the right one for your needs and decor:

1. Determine what you're going to use the island for.

When choosing an island design for your kitchen, one of the most effective steps is to determine the function of the island. Will you use it strictly as a place to eat and chat? Will you use it for a microwave, refrigerator, or sink? There's no "right" or "wrong" function of your kitchen island. Instead, it's important to determine how it can enhance your time in the kitchen.

2. You can add food preparation surfaces underneath the island.

While food preparation is part of any kitchen, it's not the most thrilling sight for others to see. Fortunately, you can create levels of preparation areas underneath the island's surface. This allows you to do whatever slicing, mixing, and other activities you need to do-without everyone seeing the mess.

3. Provide enough clearance.

That should be enough room between your island and kitchen cabinets. Specifically, three to four feet is usually adequate. If you're in doubt, provide more space, so that your family will be comfortable around the kitchen island table. In addition, when you put in your island, make sure you measure so that you sure you have enough clearance. This will help prevent mistakes or accidents because there are things that are too close to the kitchen island.