For a lot of interior design clients, no kitchen is considered complete minus the kitchen island. The island has, somehow, become an icon of contemporary kitchens and it is quite easy to understand the reason behind this.

Benefits of the Kitchen Island

• The kitchen island design is highly functional because it can provide access on all sides of the table.
• This free-standing piece can automatically become the focal point in your kitchen. It has the look and feel of a furniture rather than a part of a lab.
• The island offers easy cleanup with easy access of the compost and garbage bins right by the sink.
• The storage for the silverware, dishware, dish soap and towels is also more accessible.

Installation Requirements

Space is something that you must have if you want to have a kitchen island at your place. It should have a minimum length of 4 feet and about 2 feet deep. If you have less than this, then do not even think about installing an island.

Make sure that there is ample storage for things that will be needed in the kitchen. The pots, pans, even the spices; must be at hand at all times. That space under the cooktop is great for setting up drawers for the pots and pans.

If it is a prep island, then you must create a storage for small appliances such as food processors and mixers. See to it that your knives are also stored discreetly.

With regard to kitchen islands that are installed with a sink, oven or dishwasher; you need to carefully plan how you will set up the under counter storage. This is also true for a cooktop with downdraft fan because the machinery for such needs to be installed in a cabinet below. A way around this is to utilize the ends of the kitchen island. Round ends are also great for lazy Susans.

When Planning Your Kitchen, Consider These Also…

• The kitchen island works best in an L, G or U shape. If the kitchen has a cramped space, the island will only become an obstruction so for smaller kitchens, use a kitchen cart or a portable butcher block.
• Always include a ventilation hood to eliminate steam, smoke and cooking odors. The fan capacity must be 50 cfm (cubic feet per minute) for every cooktop square foot area.
• Another kitchen sink may be added on the kitchen island. Find a sink that is deep enough for pots and pans to be washed in. Ask how you can have a trash compactor, recycle bin or garbage disposal unit on your island. Cleaning up is a lot easier with all these installed right by the sink.
• Allow ample countertop space on both left and right sides of the kitchen island. This means you must leave 15 inches on both sides and with a larger kitchen, you can allow more space.
• Do you collect cookbooks and do you use them often in the kitchen? Then you might as well add a storage space for them. Built-in TV can also be installed especially if the family room is facing it.
• The materials used for the countertop do not have to match the rest of the countertops. For as long as they blend with the rest of the kitchen design, then you are still doing okay.
• Make good use of natural light by installing skylights and windows. Effectively reflect daylight by painting kitchen walls with a light color.

Use these ideas to create the most attractive area in your kitchen. If designed correctly, the kitchen island will provide a functional, efficient and aesthetically-pleasing piece in the heart of your home.