Many homeowners desire to have an island in the kitchen but do they know why? Is it solely for the beauty of it? What are the actual benefits to consider?
Counter Space
Most islands offer a large and practical additional area of counter space to the kitchen. Even large kitchens can do with a bit of extra counterspace. Whether you are preparing several dishes or working with another person, the space an island offers is a much appreciated thing.
Cupboard Space
The extra cabinet space your island brings can help reduce clutter. Now you will have extra space to store items you might have kept on the counters or out of arms reach. Island cabinet space gives you the opportunity to maximize the efficiency and convenience of available space.
Versatility
The great thing about kitchen islands is the versatility of shape. Making an island a custom shape is relatively affordable. Since the area of an island is small compared to the cabinet space of the whole kitchen, some custom design is both doable and highly recommended.
Even if custom designed islands aren’t an option for you, there are a large number of premade islands in all kinds of shapes and sizes; for small and large kitchens alike.
Tying the Island In
When adding an island, one of the most important visual aspects is to make sure it works with the rest of the kitchen. If you add an island without making an effort to match it to the existing cabinetry, it may stick out like a sore thumb instead of complimenting the area.
Matching doesn’t necessarily mean duplicating. You can achieve a wonderful effect by choosing complimentary colors and materials that aren’t necessarily the exact same as the existing kitchen. It is beneficial to keep the cabinetry as close as possible to the original.
Some people opt for a more expensive counter. Adding a splash of stone or other special material to the room through the island countertop can make a statement without breaking the bank (as might be the case if the entire kitchen counter area was made of the material).
Don’t forget to match up the fixtures and hardware to what you already have in your kitchen. An island can look thrown together if you have different faucets or drawer handles from those already in the kitchen.
Accessories
Take the time to figure out exactly what you’d like the function of the island to be. There are so many ways to use your island to suit your particular needs. Here are some of the extras you can put in your island area:
butcher block
sink
electrical outlets
shelves
drawers
stools/seating
range
grill
An island gives you new opportunities for accessorizing the ceiling area. You can add an eye catching lighting fixture or a rack for pots and pans. You may want to add pot lights for recessed lighting.
You can really make an island your own by personalizing every aspect of it and taking advantages of the benefits that are right for you.