Kitchen Remodeling: Adding a Kitchen Island
09 October 2007
If you have a large enough kitchen, it would be wise to consider adding an island to your new design when renovating the kitchen. If your current kitchen already has an island, consider a few options you have to update your more basic design:What is a Kitchen Island?
If you don't have one or have only seen them in magazines or kitchen remodeling shows, you might not fully appreciate what an island can do for your room. A kitchen island is a cabinet that stands out in the middle of the kitchen, usually in L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen configurations. The long, narrow, or galley kitchens usually don't have room for an island. Kitchen islands are usually square or rectangle in shape, but many designs have included round and oval-shapes, as well.
The island provides the kitchen with additional storage space, food preperation area, counter space, and even an eating area on one or two sides. Some islands even include plumbing to add a sink or include some appliances.
Why Consider Adding a Kitchen Island?
The kitchen is such an integral part of the modern home. It's more than just a place to make dinner these days. It's the focal point for eating, meeting, and greeting. It's a much more social room than in past eras. The island gives you more cabinet space below, a place to hang pots and pans above, and even more valuable counter space which has been taken up by all of your new small appliances. It's perfect when more than one member of the family likes to cook because it gives room to have several projects going on at once. It's also a way to cut down on the lengths in a "work triangle" by giving a closer spot to jump doing during the cooking process. An island can even give you room to add a second dishwasher or other luxury appliances, like a garbage compactor, recycling bin, or wine cooler.
What Options Are Available?
- Sit Down Dining: if you want to add an island, and you have the room, you should seriously think about adding one with a counter surface that will allow people to eat there. To enhance the social aspects of your kitchen, having guests or kids be able to sit at the counter and talk with your while you're cooking is a great advantage. Plan on a counter that can allow for either regular chairs or bar stools, depending on the height.
- You Have Choices: consider whether you're going to go with a small, portable island that has wheels on it, or a larger built-in island. If you go with the built-in, consider whether you'll go with a stock island or have one custom-made for your room.
- Stock vs. Custom: you can save money with a stock island installation. A stock cabinet has already been manufactured and will cost less than custom. Also, a stock one is usually available for delivery right away. However, you have fewer options with stock. A custom island can be built specifically for your room with the options you want - like a sink, room for appliances, with or without counters, and in your choice of cabinet materials and color as well as the countertop surface.
- The Modern Trends: if you're feeling daring, you might consider putting a different countertop material or different color of material on your island versus the other kitchen counter top surface. The trend today is to mismatch, or jumble, the look of various cabinets and countertops.
If you'd like to talk with a kitchen designer or finish your kitchen remodel by adding an island, you can find a professional in your area today. It's a fast, free, and easy way to find local kitchen professionals - simply post your project on ConstructionDeal.com and sit back to wait for these experts to call you! It saves time over searching for a company or two, at random, in the yellow pages. And it saves money to have several companies bid on the job. You'll be able to pick the price and company that is just right for you.
Labels: Kitchen Cabinets, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Islands, Storage
