Kitchen Island Design Tips
A well-designed kitchen island can add storage, counter space and functionality to your kitchen. Even a small kitchen may work better with an island. Kitchen islands can be professionally installed, purchased or built on your own with materials from your local home improvement center. Smart design will make your island work center a good use of space and improve your enjoyment of the room at the center of your home.
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Style
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The style of your kitchen island should coordinate well with your existing kitchen cabinetry and any rooms open to your kitchen. Consider the formality of your living spaces first, as well as whether you want painted or stained wood for your island. Your countertop surfaces can be the same as the rest of your counters, or you can consider butcher block, tile or stone for your countertop areas.
Function
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Your kitchen island should work in your space. Be sure to leave ample walking space to each side. If you are having a kitchen island built in, you may wish to include your oven and range, dishwasher or even your sink in the island. Cabinetry, open shelving and drawers in your island can all offer plenty of room for kitchen items of all sorts. Power outlets in your island are also a useful feature, allowing you to plug in food processors, mixers or blenders with ease. If your kitchen island has an overhang, it can double as a breakfast bar, providing space for easy meals, homework or just hanging out with the cook.
Decorating Your Island
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Kitchen decor should be sparse to avoid cluttering your workspace. You should, however, consider lighting and using the space over your island. Pendant lights are an effective and attractive choice or you can hang a pot rack over your island to clear out cabinet space and display attractive cookware. Add wire or wicker baskets for fruit and a cookbook stand to keep your counters tidy, while still adding personality to your kitchen island.
Kitchen Island on a Budget
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Adding a kitchen island is a great way to modernize an older kitchen. While having a custom kitchen island built is quite expensive, you can build your own island or recycle another piece of furniture into an island. Consider watching flea markets for vintage pieces, then raising them on purchased furniture feet. You might also opt to purchase a small rolling kitchen work cart or small kitchen breakfast bar to use as a kitchen island at a lower cost. Stain or paint your purchased or built island to match your current kitchen.
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