Designing a Center Kitchen Island

Center islands add style and counter space to your kitchen.

In a functional kitchen, counter space is key. A useful workspace that adds functionality and style to any kitchen is a center island. This free-standing countertop is not affixed to any wall, making it easily accessible from all sides of the kitchen. Depending on the size of the island, this counter can also double as a casual eating area. To choose the right island to fit your needs, get hands-on with the designing process.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Graph paper

Instructions

1. Choose the right space for your kitchen island. Designate an area in your mind for the placement of the kitchen island. Make sure it will make a balanced addition to your kitchen. While a kitchen island creates more counter space, it might not be appropriate if it interrupts the work flow in your kitchen. You want to be able to move around the room easily once the island is in place.

2. Measure the width and depth of the space for your desired kitchen island. Before you begin designing, you should know how much space you have to work with. Measure the best height for your island space. A good judge can often be the height of your counters already in place, though your kitchen island can be taller or shorter depending on your needs.

3. Coordinate the base of the island with the style of your kitchen. For example, if your home is in a country style, you may choose to create an oak wood base for the island. If your style is more modern, you might prefer a solid black or white laminate or stone base.

4. Choose a countertop that is in your budget and matches your chosen decor. A countertop is a clever way to make a design impact in your kitchen. From granite to laminate, concrete or butcher block, there is no shortage of countertops to choose from. You will also need to decide if you want sharp or rounded corners for the island.

5. Decide whether you want your island to feature appliances or storage. Your kitchen island does not have to be just a flat countertop. It can also be the location for your sink, stove, dishwasher or any other appliance. The appliances you choose to feature should be considered with the flow of your kitchen in mind. Kitchen islands are also useful places for storage, from cabinets to draws or even open shelving.

6. Draw your kitchen island to scale. Once all your measurements are in place, your design can take shape. To be sure it will fit accurately in your kitchen, draw it to scale on ordinary graph paper.

References

• This Old House: Building a Better Kitchen Island