If you’re renovating your kitchen, you shouldn’t think twice about installing a kitchen island. Decorative and multipurpose alike, the kitchen island has now become essential. Here’s how thinking through the key elements to install a kitchen island will get you the most out of its design and fully take advantage of what it has to offer.
Start by defining the principal purpose of your Kitchen Island
Before beginning to take the measurements and select the type of storage space or the materials you want to use, you should be clear about your kitchen island’s primary function. You need to decide if you wish to use it only to cook, if you want to include a sink area in its center, or if you want it to be used as a dining area or even for socializing and convert it into the real heart of your home. A kitchen island table can effectively become the central feature around which your entire kitchen will be designed.
If you want to install a sink area and electrical appliances on your kitchen island, you will need to opt for a larger one. Also, if you prefer to use it as an office space with stools or high chairs, you will need to prioritize the seating arrangement. A kitchen island is an independent unit with four free sides, can therefore be used to separate different spaces, especially in the case of open kitchens with access to the living room or dining room. It is also perfect to create balance and instill fluidity, making the most of your floor space.
The Ideal Measurements
If you have enough space, you will be able to install a kitchen island table with an ideal length of between 98 inches and 106 inches. These measurements will allow you to fit in a stove top or a sink while enjoying a spacious worktop that’s ideal for preparing food. You will also be able to install drawers of various sizes to set up a spacious and practical storage area, not to mention cupboards for your recycling, etc. The ideal height for your countertop will mainly depend on whether or not you’re going to include an office space with stools. If you opt for low seats, 35 inches is an optimal height.
On the other hand, 43 inches is the perfect height for high stools. You can also design a kitchen island table on two levels: the lower one for working and cooking comfortably and the higher one for installing the bar and the stools. If you create an island with uniform height and space for stools, leave 14 to 18 inches off the countertop to overhang; anyone seated on a stool will then be able to move their legs freely. To easily move around your kitchen, you should leave a distance of about 35 inches between the island and the kitchen units attached to the wall; you will then be able to open your cupboard doors, drawers, and electrical appliances like the dishwasher, with ease.
A Perfect Layout
Always bear in mind the kitchen work triangle; the three essential areas of a kitchen — the cooking, sink, and storage areas — should be positioned at separate corners of the triangle and similar distances from each other. Even if you intend to install a kitchen island table, the distances between these areas should still be balanced to avoid awkward or excessive to-ing and fro-ing. If you’d prefer to create a more conventional dining area, rather than installing a breakfast bar on your island, you could position a free-standing table and chairs beside the longest wall in the kitchen.
The Best Material
You can design your kitchen island table using the same materials as the rest of the kitchen, or you can have it contrast with the other features by using a different color tone or different materials. Either way, you should aim for a balanced overall look.
When it comes to the island’s worktop, there is a range of materials to choose from. By using quartz surfaces, you’ll be able to enjoy the perfect kitchen island, one that’s highly attractive and practical at the same time. Quartz surfaces offer superior resistance to stain and are available in a wide range of colors and textures, allowing you to customize the design of your dream kitchen, filled with character and style.
To learn more on how we can help you create your dream Kitchen Island, make an appointment at 502-315-5110 to visit our team of stone experts and view our large selection of beautiful Quartz in-stock countertop slabs.
To read the complete article by Cosentino, please visit: https://www.cosentino.com/usa/blog/how-to-design-a-kitchen-island-
