Adding a kitchen island to your kitchen is every amateur (and professional) chef’s dream. They have the potential to transform the entire room and make it more practical.
Kitchen islands give the kitchen a better flow. Not that long ago, they were quite a rare feature. However, as we started making our kitchens, not only bigger but also the focal points of our homes, we made room for innovations and just a bit of splurging.
That’s why today, a kitchen island is a must-have in every modern kitchen, no matter the overall style. Even with the kitchen island worktops, it fits in perfectly in high-gloss modern kitchens as much as it does in rusting, cottage-like ones. Sure, it takes up floor space, but it has so many benefits:
- more space on the kitchen island worktops for food prep and dining
- extra storage room
- creates a breakfast bar
- works even in small kitchens etc.
Before we jump into explaining how to design the perfect kitchen island, let’s see how adding an island to your kitchen renovation plans will transform them.
Why Add an Island to Your Kitchen
No matter the kitchen design, every room has an excellent potential to be elegant, functional, and practical. However, sometimes it’s difficult to get that balance between display and functionality to be perfect.
That’s what a kitchen island is for.
Kitchen Island Creates a New Focal Point
Planning a kitchen update means figuring out what you want to highlight the most. Many people struggle to find the focal point in their dream kitchen. Sometimes, those are sleek solid surfaces and kitchen island worktops like quartz worktops, and other times it’s something smaller like a butcher block.
The focal point depends on the flow of the kitchen and your habits. Think about how your family functions in the kitchen and what you all use the most. Maybe it’s the oven or prep space or kitchen island worktops; heck, it could even be some bar stools!
Now think about turning the very center of your kitchen into a focal point. You could easily do that with an island. That will create a central point where you all gather, cook, and spend time together.
And a New Place for the Family to Gather
If you’ve ever kicked someone out of your kitchen because they were in the way, you probably aren’t too keen on creating more space for people to linger. However, a kitchen island is a perfect way to ensure that more than one person can use the kitchen at the same time. With extra-large kitchen island worktops, it can accommodate a bigger number of people, providing them with space, comfort, and better kitchen organization.
They make for excellent places to gather the entire family. Not to mention, if you don’t have an open space floor plan, they can help you feel less isolated while you’re doing prep work and using kitchen island worktops, or cooking since other people can sit on the island and keep you company (without ever being in your way).
And, as a nice bonus, you can even give them something to occupy their hands with — after all, they have all that gorgeous space in front of them, and those veggies won’t cut themselves, will they?
Kitchen Island Gives You Extra Storage Space
No matter which type of island you go for, you’ll get extra storage space. Even if you just opt for a table island, you’ll still have the additional kitchen island worktops and their space to store your appliances.
Sometimes we’re so focused on getting that next kitchen gadget that we forget we don’t have the space for it. Thus, even handy things and appliances we’d use every day end up either cluttering our kitchen or collecting dust in some long-forgotten drawer or the upper cabinet.
With a kitchen island and the kitchen island worktops, you’d have more room to keep the appliances you want to use every day handy.
Not to Mention More Workspace
Of course, storage space isn’t what you think of when you start thinking about kitchen island benefits. No matter what you’re cooking — a quick meal for two or an elaborate dinner for a party of people — you can always use more space on the kitchen island worktops.
Dishes pile up, chopping boards appear as if summoned by magic, and cutlery ends up everywhere. It’s rather challenging to get organized in a small space which is why you’ve probably caught yourself thinking, “I wish I had a bigger kitchen” more than a few times.
Well, perhaps instead of trying to make your kitchen bigger (which is a feat not many can pull off), you give yourself more kitchen island worktops to work with.
A kitchen island doesn’t have to be huge to be functional. Even a tiny bit of extra space on the kitchen island worktops will come in handy when you’re doing your best Gordon Ramsey impression in the kitchen.
The Extra Seating Will Come In Handy
Your dream kitchen is lovely, isn’t it? There’s a see of stainless steel and granite kitchen island worktops everywhere the eye can see. You’ve imagined every last detail and found the perfect spot for each of the functional (or just cute) gadgets and appliances that you have. So, now, you can stand there and admire it.
Do you know why? Well, because you have nowhere to sit. Having casual seating in the kitchen comes in quite handy. If you’re frustrated that you can’t enjoy a cup of tea by yourself or have a glass of wine with your significant other in the kitchen, then an island with a few bar stools and large kitchen island worktops is the perfect solution.
Kitchen Islands Are Versatile
Possibly the best feature of a kitchen island is that it’s utterly versatile. You can use the kitchen island worktops as work surfaces for food prep, as a separate dining spot, or even as a work-from-home spot (yeah, we all know how those are scarce around the house these days).
However, the versatility of a kitchen island doesn’t end there. Adding an island means taking your kitchen remodel to the next level. Since it can transform the entire room, an island can turn your L-shaped kitchen into a U-shaped one.
And, because kitchen island worktops come in all materials, you could also add one to spice things up (so to speak!). A granite worktop island could elevate your kitchen and take it from mundane to elegant with just one addition.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something more sustainable, then quartz worktop islands are the best pick for you. Keep in mind that there are many different kitchen island worktops to choose from.
Natural stone kitchen island worktops can make a huge difference when it comes to the overall design of your kitchen, and the fact that you can add them to your kitchen island just adds to the versatility of this kitchen feature.
Kitchen Island and Kitchen Island Worktops Ideas
If you’re wondering which island is the perfect pick for you, don’t worry; you’re not the only one. Generally speaking, the island you end up picking will depend on the following:
- the overall layout of your kitchen
- available space for the kitchen island worktops
- your budget
- the style you want
Although there are many different types of islands, the most popular picks are:
- rolling cart
- table island
- base cabinet with kitchen island worktops
- full kitchen island
- double-tiered kitchen island
Rolling Cart Island
If you’re looking for an island that is practical but doesn’t take up too much space with the kitchen island worktops, then a rolling cart island might be a good fit for you. Although islands make for excellent focal points, sometimes we don’t have the room in our design to let them be that (or we don’t have the space).
That’s why rolling cart islands, which you can push to the side when you aren’t using them, are a great solution.
Kitchen Island Worktops: Table Island
A table kitchen island- with kitchen island worktops- might seem like a cop-out, but it’s the most affordable way to get an island without actually investing in one. However, just because you opt for the most affordable option doesn’t mean you can’t spruce it up a bit.
For example, changing the table’s work surface to something other than thin wood is a great way to make this type of island seem elegant and elevated.
Base Cabinet With a Worktop
The most common type of kitchen island is the base cabinet with kitchen island worktops. It offers everything a good island should: extra storage space and an additional work surface.
However, this island also has to be made to measure. Even if you have a base cabinet, you still need to cut the material of kitchen island worktops (such as granite, quartz, wood, laminate, etc.) to measure so you ensure it fits perfectly.
Full Kitchen Island
A fully functional kitchen island is, in essence, a small kitchen. It has electricity and water. In other words, it has a sink and a drain, and it has plenty of workspace. When it comes to dreaming of kitchen islands, a full island is what most people dream of because it practically doubles your kitchen space.
However, full kitchen islands are somewhat expensive to install due to technical difficulties. Adding a drain so far away from the main drain system means installing the water supply and drainage pipes on the floor and having them join the main utilities in the wall.
Double-Tiered Kitchen Island
A double-tiered kitchen island and kitchen island worktops double as a breakfast nook or even a dining room table (albeit a small one) and a cooking station. Typically, any counter can have two purposes.
But if you’re a stickler for the rules and want to keep everything separate, a double-tiered island is your best pick.
BUCKSMARBLE Will Give You the Island of Your Dreams
Kitchen islands are not just for show. They can make your kitchen more practical and functional (not to mention elevate its look)!
Overall, there are many benefits to adding a kitchen island:
- it will create a new flow in your kitchen, and add to its functionality
- an island will be your and your family’s new favorite spot
- you’ll get more workspace and storage space with the kitchen island worktops
Maybe a great island is just what your kitchen has been waiting for. Here at BUCKSMARBLE, we know all about transforming kitchens one feature at a time. So, if you’re considering a remodel, give us a call and book your consultation today!
