The kitchen island has become the must have feature for new kitchens and for those updating their kitchens. These days kitchen islands come in all sizes and designs to suit any home. The kitchen island is placed in the centre of the kitchen and becomes the focal point for food preparation by adding workspace. It makes the kitchen a more social place where the family can gather around. Kitchen islands come in various sizes from small to oversize that can even function as a dining table for the whole family.

I wanted to find out more about the kitchen island designs and what you should consider if you are thinking of building a new kitchen or renovating your existing space. Firstly the kitchen island does not come in a standard size or shape. You may think of the kitchen island as a rectangle, most are but do not need to be. They can have rounded edges, they can be L shaped, U shaped or practically any shape that will fit into the centre of the kitchen. So as you are not limited by standard designs, you can use your creativity to design the kitchen island that fits best into your kitchen.

One of the questions that you can think about is what function you want your kitchen island to perform. Most kitchen islands are used for extra workspace and for food preparation. But if you have room, they can double as a casual or even semi formal eating location. If you have limited room, you could round off the edges of the island and use it as a breakfast bar. If you have a little more room, you can extend the island further than you need for preparing food and have space for a family of four or five. The ultimate kitchen island if you have space is to install two, one for food and one for eating.

Once you have decided on the function of the kitchen, you can think about what features you want it to have. These days kitchen islands can have an amazing range of features built right into them. The most obvious features are drawers and cabinets, to give you extra storage space. Another idea is to use the space under the island for your kitchen appliances, such as the dishwasher and even refrigerator drawers. Depending on the space and if you plan to have people eating at the island, you can have cooking facilities built in, although you need to think ahead on this one to make sure it will be safe.

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The kitchen island has proven to be the essential feature in today’s modern kitchen.
Not only do they complement the kitchen’s overall design, but they serve as a food prep area, a work space and a dining table. The kitchen island design can vary depending on the size and style of the kitchen. While kitchen islands add to the aesthetics of the kitchen, it’s versatile and multi-functional aspects are also important factors in deciding which kitchen island design to choose.

Countertop Space

Deciding on the need of the countertop space is very important in determining size. If having a dining area is one of the main purposes of the space, then a multi-level kitchen island design can be beneficial. The higher level can have stools or chairs for eating, while the lower level can function as a cooking and serving area. The countertop can also extend beyond the base to allow face-to-face seating. The countertop dimensions can be dependent on whether the space is going to be used to prepare food or operate as a work zone.

Storage

Determining the inventory that needs storing in the kitchen island can be a factor in choosing the size and type of cabinets or shelves that are needed. Cabinet and shelf styles can come in various forms. Drawers with handles, open shelves, cabinets with drawers, and cabinets with shelves are popular choices. To optimize space, an organizer can be added to the island and function as a spice rack and cooking utensil holder. Wire baskets can also be installed underneath the island to tuck away dishcloths and potholders. Three tier pull-out stations designed into the side of the island can slide out dishes and glasses with ease.

Appliances and Accessories

There are many things to add to the kitchen island design to make life easier. Appliances can be built into the island as well as extra accessories. A wall-mounted paper towel holder can be hooked to the side of the kitchen island for easy access. For additional workspace, rolling carts can fit underneath and slide out when necessary. A range, sink, dishwasher and microwave can also be installed in a kitchen island. When choosing a range for a cooktop island, a down draft venting system or a ventilation hood that vents up through the ceiling is used. The sink in the island can be the main sink or serve as a secondary sink. Plumbing and electrical features should be thoroughly planned out when choosing to have appliances within the island.

Countertop Designs

Island countertops can vary in texture, size and cost. Granite is a very popular countertop design. It is a hard, natural, speckled stone that ranges from black to white. The granite is sealed to resist damage and is great for water absorption. A marble countertop is very durable and is resistant to heat. Laminate is an affordable and versatile option for countertops. It comes in a variety of patterns and colors. Solid surface countertops have a smooth surface and are very easy to clean. Butcher-block countertops vary in grain patterns and color. It has a thick, tough surface and retains its quality for years. Wood countertops are natural protectors from bacterial build-up. They are long-lasting and easy to refurbish.

Designs and Trends in Kitchen Islands

Kitchen island designs can come in many different themes and styles to enhance the overall appearance of the kitchen. Depending on if your kitchen is L, U, or G shaped will help determine the design style and space needed for the island. Traditional kitchen islands can come in natural oak with wood countertops, while a contemporary or modern kitchen can feature cherry wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Some popular trends in kitchen island designs include the country kitchen, French kitchen, Italian kitchen, and the all-white kitchen. Dual Islands are increasing in demand as they provide a separation of space and they complement as well as contrast each other. One island can be used for food prep, while the other island can be used for placing platters of food for entertaining guests. The mobile island is the preferred choice for flexibility. It can be moved around as needed to create more space in the kitchen.

A Place to Come Together

In many homes, the kitchen is the major relaxation area to cook, eat or just to socialize. The kitchen island becomes the main focal point. Everyone gathers around the island to congregate and catch up on the day’s happenings. The popular dual islands are the perfect choice for two cooks who want separate cooking spaces. It can also be used as extra space when more table space is needed for entertaining large crowds. Kitchen islands can also be used in Al Fresco kitchens, where parties can be held outdoors. The outdoor kitchen island can be installed with all the necessities, including a grill, side burners, and an outdoor mini refrigerator.

And if that weren’t enough, there are tons of different kitchen island accessories and appliances you can choose from to personalize and add function and utility to your new kitchen island space. You do not have to sacrifice style for functionality either. These accessories and appliances come in a huge number of different styles so as to provide you with plenty of choice. You can choose these additions as complements to the style of your kitchen and to enhance the usefulness of the island as a cooking space.

Functional

For the avid cook, a kitchen island is an excellent way to enhance the utility of your cooking space. Not only can functionality be part of the design of the kitchen island itself, you can also find tons of different, highly functional additions for your island as well.

Extra prep space

Sometimes the counter space in a standard kitchen is just sorely lacking. A kitchen island takes what is otherwise fairly useless space and turns it into an area that can be used. This is a great place to set up cutting boards and other prepping stations so as to make meal planning a lot simpler.

Cook tops

You can even go so far as to have a cook top stove placed in your kitchen island. This is one of the best kitchen island accessories and appliances for the home cook that has a lot of people to feed. It provides additional cooking space with the convenience of being directly next to a prep area. This extra space can be a hot commodity when cooking for a crowd.

Butcher Board Tops

When you choose a kitchen island, there are a number of different choices as to the surface you pick for the top of the island. For the home cook looking to use this area as a preparation space, you can consider the addition of butcher board tops. These are tops that are, for all intents and purposes, giant cutting boards. Easy to clean, these tops turn your entire island into a prep space in waiting.

Sinks

There is nothing worse than preparing a home cooked meal and drenching yourself and the kitchen in the process. Any meals that require a large number of fresh ingredients pose this risk. The sink is often not in the same part of the kitchen that prep and cooking take place in. This means that once you have your produce clean, you have to lug it across your kitchen to your work station. You can have a sink, with or without a garbage disposal, installed into your kitchen island, making this an even more functional work area.

Extra Storage and Convenience

There is a lot of wasted space in most kitchens and the kitchen island, by its very nature, is a way to maximize your use of space. There are ways to maximize your use of space even further, as well as the convenience of your kitchen through your choices in kitchen island accessories and appliances.

Cabinet and drawer space

Kitchen islands are tall cabinet-like structures that take up the middle of the kitchen. The sides of these islands are not useful for prep, but they are useful to storage. You can put in a number of different tired storage spaces in a kitchen island to store extra tablesettings, appliances and more. You can even add drawers kitchen utensils, keeping them in easy reach.

Places for appliances such as microwaves

Small compact appliances that are designed for use in a kitchen island are cropping up. You can find convenience items such as microwaves available for kitchen islands. These are great choices as they provide a space maximizing way to have a convenient appliance.

Kitchen island accessories and appliances come in a wide variety of proverbial shapes and sizes. Depending on what you intend to use your kitchen for, your choices are near endless. You can find accessories and appliances that will help maximize the work space available to you, cooking space, and storage space. You can choose appliances that will created added convenience to your kitchen without taking up a ton of premium space.

There are a number of considerations that you will want to make when selecting kitchen island lights. Not only are there a number of different “styles” there are different colors, materials, etc. There are a lot of choices! You likely took into account the theme of your kitchen when choosing your kitchen island, and you will need to do the same with your decision on kitchen island lights as well. You do not want to have a space that is too dim, if the point of the kitchen island was to create a functional workspace. Nor do you want harsh, bright lights in an area that was meant to be a cozy place to relax. It is also good to be selective in your decision as you do not want to choose something that will clash with the theme of the kitchen.

Consider the Material

You can find kitchen island lights in a wide array of different materials, creating a veritable cornucopia of choice. However, before getting lost in the sea of materials available, keep in mind the need for your lights to blend with, and complement the existing theme in your kitchen. If you have stainless steel, keep the theme going. It might look a bit strange to pair a modern looking material like stainless steel, with a more gothic, old world material like wrought iron. When there is a material that is of prominence in the room already, if possible, keep with the same type of material. This will help to maintain a cohesive and put together feel for your kitchen island area.

If you have a color theme throughout your kitchen, you can emphasize this in the choice of color of your kitchen island light as well.

Pendant Lights

Pendant lights are the most common type of lights used to light a kitchen island. These are individual lights that extend from the ceiling. They can be at varying heights and the decorative encasing of the light comes in a wide array of styles. Improper lighting when cooking, or harsh lighting in what is supposed to be a relaxing area is a fast way to ruin the mood of your kitchen. Take time to consider the function you wish your kitchen island to serve when determining how far you want your pendant light to extend.

Most people have a number of pendant lights that light the kitchen island. You can personalize your lighting choice to your hearts content. Not only are there a number of different styles, materials, and colors to choose from, you can also choose the shape and size you wish to use for your kitchen. Whether you want a chunky, modern light fixture, or something more delicate and dainty, your choices abound. This is a way to really pull the look of a kitchen together.

Consideration is important when trying to determine how to select kitchen island lights. You want to create just the right atmosphere and the right lighting goes a long way to that purpose. It is important to think about the theme of your kitchen, the materials used, and to stick with that in your choice of kitchen lighting. A well chosen set of kitchen island lights can really bring a room together!

Granite is the most popular choice for natural stone countertops. There are a variety of colors and patterns of granite to choose from. Granite is composed primarily of quartz, feldspar, mica and hornblende, although other minerals may be present. The mineral makeup of granite renders it very hard and tough, thus exceptionally durable. It is resistant to scratching, chipping and breaking. You can place hot things, such as pots, directly on a granite countertop without fear of harming the stone. Despite these wonderful properties, granite is extremely porous, and can stain easily from liquids and oils. It can also react to some acids, if certain minerals are present, so it must be sealed periodically to protect the stone. Also, some granites may emit harmful radon gases, which can cause cancer, and other serious health problems, in large concentrations. Not all granite contains radon, however. Relatively inexpensive radon testing can be done before you purchase your granite to err on the side of caution.

Marble is a stunningly beautiful natural stone that is known for its veins of vivid coloring. It is a very soft stone because it’s primarily composed of calcium carbonate. Marble is very vulnerable to acidic substances such as lemon juice, vinegar, and harsh chemical cleaners. It scratches and stains very easily, even after being sealed, so it may not be durable enough for everyday use as a kitchen countertop. Some people choose to accent a small area of the counter with marble instead.

Limestone, like Marble, is also made of calcium carbonate, and is very soft. Acidic solutions can etch into the stone, even with sealant applications. Limestone is very light in color, so it can give you a different look from other natural stone countertops, but because of its porosity, it stains easily. Limestone may be hard to find for use in your kitchen as it is not in big demand, nor is it an ideal choice for the job.

Another natural stone that’s popular is Soapstone, which, as its name implies, has a soapy feel due to the presence of talc. It is a soft stone and scratches easily. Rubbing with mineral oil is advised to darken the color, which will naturally happen over time, and also to repair minor scratching. Sanding can repair etching in the stone. Soapstone is resistant to staining, heat, and acids, and it does not need sealing, as the stone is very dense and liquids generally don’t get through the surface.

Wood countertops instantly warm up any kitchen, and are great if you do a lot of chopping and cutting, and is easy to maintain, but there are many downfalls to using wood. It can be very unsanitary, as wood absorbs liquids, odors, and bacteria. Wood can darken and even turn black after prolonged contact with water and other liquids. It shows knife marks easily, although they can be sanded out and mineral oil applied to restore the finish.

Laminate countertops are inexpensive and fairly durable. Since it is a man-made material, laminate is available in almost a limitless array of colors and designs. Laminate is easy to take care of with gentle cleansers, but if it chips or cracks, it can be difficult to repair because it’s made of several thin layers of material pressed together. It resists staining, but is not heat resistant and layers may start to separate or warp over time.

Quartz, also referred to as engineered stone, is natural quartz stone mixed with epoxy resin. During the mixing process, color pigments can be easily added, making color possibilities almost endless while still giving you the look of stone. Quartz is nonporous, so it resists staining, and doesn’t need to be sealed. Since quartz is harder than granite, you can cut right on the countertop without worrying you’ll scratch it. Quartz is also not damaged by wine spills, lemon juice, vinegar, and other acidic substances. It costs about the same as granite and other natural stones, and is gaining in popularity for countertop use.

Granite and Quartz are the most durable of all the natural stone choices for kitchen countertops. Other materials can be used, and each brings has a unique or special quality, but weigh your options carefully, and be aware of the downfalls, and how to take care of your countertops to keep them beautiful and to get the most out of your money.

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and at the heart of a nice, modern kitchen sits the kitchen island. No dream home is without a dream kitchen, and a true dream kitchen design will typically include a kitchen island as its centerpiece. Kitchen islands can be endlessly versatile, especially when the island doubles as a breakfast bar. A kitchen island can be the best of both worlds when the design of the island accommodates the cook as well as the eaters.

The breakfast bar doesn’t get the respect it deserves. The iconic image of the breakfast bar in action is one of barely awake children slurping down cereal at the beginning of a school day. It’s not an inspiring image. We understand the breakfast bar to be a sturdier version of the folding “kids table” at Thanksgiving. It is utilitarian, and boring. Not at all sexy. An invitation to sit at a breakfast bar says “We’re serving up grilled cheese sandwiches and juice”. James Bond would not sit at a breakfast bar, and no-one would invite him to. How did the breakfast bar slip into such depreciation?

The breakfast bar’s reputation has suffered an unintentional slandering and is in need of an image makeover. On his eponymous cooking show, Emeril Lagasse cooks great food while wittily engaging his studio audience. He’s a consummate host, and we ordinary hosts and cooks can learn from his example. Emeril preps the food while remaining fully present with his guests. He’s not “off in the kitchen” while others wait for the food to show up. He offers bites of treats to his guests, converses and serves up half-glasses of wine (or maybe a cocktail or two) while he chops, stirs and sautés. It’s an approach to hosting and entertaining that is made possible by: a breakfast bar. Emeril’s television studio breakfast bar is designed differently than a breakfast bar in a residential kitchen, but it is essentially the same as a kitchen island breakfast bar. It is the blending of food prep/cooking area with a seating/entertainment area. It is a place where adults can entertain other adults and enjoy adult food and drinks as food is being prepared in the same space.

A breakfast bar is only a “breakfast bar” when breakfast foods are being consumed. Otherwise, it is simply a bar, a bar that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. A kitchen island with a general-use bar on the dining room side (or, the entry way side) of the island helps you invite guests to sit and enjoy your kitchen as you cook. Imagine uses for your kitchen bar beyond breakfast: As a place to serve hors d’oeuvres and drinks, as a buffet table, and as a place where the hostess and cook can entertain and interact with guests.

As you design your kitchen, think beyond the simple utilitarian purposes for having an island in your kitchen. Consider what an adult living space looks like in your home and incorporate similar elements into the themes of your kitchen. Decisions regarding the lighting, seating, countertops, etc. need to reflect the full range of activities that you can imagine taking place at the bar on your kitchen island, and how the island might be used at different times of the day. Ignore the term “breakfast bar” and design your kitchen island for a look and feel that invites people of all ages to join you in the kitchen at all times of the day, and to enjoy its look and feel beyond bowls of cereal and sandwiches with their crusts cut off.

How often do you wish your kitchen island could be all things to all members of your family? Or that it could be several different islands in one? Lower when you’re rolling out dough, or higher when you’re cooking or want to sit down and have a snack? A comfortable height for both your 6‘ 3“ husband and a considerably shorter you? When the kids are helping with dinner, wouldn’t it be nice if you could lower the island height to their level? And how great would it be to have a wet bar for entertaining?

Well someone has been listening and that someone was non-other than Team 7. Team 7 has long been a global trend setter and unparalleled in their innovative kitchen design. They have now out-done themselves with the ingenious K7 kitchen. This is truly the kitchen island of your dreams and could make even the smallest kitchen functional. It’s claim to fame is the fact that the island’s height can be adjusted to the exact comfort level of the user with a digital touch key pad that controls the electric motor and 4 hydraulic cylinders. It can be raised anywhere from 74 cm to 114 cm. Each Team 7 kitchen island is individually designed, so each is as unique as the family who owns it.

Imagine being about to simply but your sink away when you are done using it. Now you can! The K7 is designed in such a way that the tap actually retracts and and the sink goes undercover–literally–a cover hides the sink giving more work space and a cleaner appearance.
The island can also be a cook center with the addition of a cooktop. It has counter space for eating, homework or using the laptop that can be adjusted as the kids grow, or for you and your husband!

The drawers open at a touch and close just as easily. Organized storage, including dish drawers, keeps everything handy and simplifying meal preparation. Pull out shelves makes spices, seasonings and other necessities easy to locate. It even handles the recycling, keeping it sorted properly.

It’s sleek, modern, almost futuristic, design is amazing as well. It’s colors are rich and earthy. The island is available in seven beautiful wood types; alder, beech, core beech, maple oak, cherry and walnut. 9 glass colors in both gloss and matte, 8 Stricktex colors and 21 leather colors. The Team 7 website offers expert color and material combination ideas. It has a quartz work surface.
Team 7 has won numerous awards and accolades for design and environment. The craftsmanship is impeccable and the woods used in their creations meet the highest ecological standards .

The K7 kitchen was the brain child of Kai Stania, one of Australia’s most successful designers.

What kitchen style are you? Stately traditional? Graceful Old World with carved corbels and turned legs? Or causal homey country? Or do you cringe at the mere thought of carvings, fussy trim, or homey anything? Do you crave smooth, sleek, and shiny? Do you yearn for uncomplicated? Your style is contemporary.

If Contemporary is your passion you have to check out the VAO kitchen island by Team 7. It’s modern, geometric, minimalist–it’s what Contemporary is all about. You will love the horizontal lines, asymmetry, and appreciate the lack of fuzzy ornamentation. You’ll marvel at the way it combines form and function.

While Team 7′s K7 island is all about the automation and technology, their VAO is really in keeping with their company slogan “Design meets Nature.” It celebrates the beauty of wood. Alder with its reddish brown color that is similar to cherry, rich reddish gold oak, cherry with it’s characteristic deep red glow, dark brown to almost tan walnut and beech. Each wood beautiful in it’s own unique way.

The VAO exudes elegance. Even the interior is posh. Full-length drawers, that open at a touch, keeps everything in it’s place and certainly provides a place for everything, while resembling more a beautiful contemporary piece of fine furniture than a kitchen island. The drawer fronts are 21 mm thick. The handle-less design means there is nothing to mar the clean lines. It truly bonds elegance and function.

The countertop of the Vao kitchen island is made of natural stone, quartz stone or compact high pressure laminate. The combination of the rich warm wood and the cool stone is almost breath-taking.

The VAO non-wood areas come in 9 earthy colors of glass, plus two neutrals , 8 Stricktex colors, and 21 leather colors. These act as a striking counterpoint to the rich wood drawers.
The VAO is very user friendly as far as kitchen design because it can be positioned in many ways and lends itself well to almost any kitchen layout. It’s especially useful in an open design such as a kitchen/family room or kitchen/dining room. It can serve as a side board for dining areas.
The VAO is an ideal cook center island and is a perfect companion to a sleek, smooth, ceramic glass surface cooktop.

This island was designed by Sbastian Desch for team7 and is contemporary at it’s finest. It has, in fact, won the highly coveted Interior Innovation Award for innovative design. Sbastian Desch and team 7 was a resounding success at Imm Cologne 2011 Design Fair. Visitors to the event was especially impressed by the VAO kitchen.

“Award-winning design. Sustainability begins with the design,” explains Team 7. “Our designers give the wood a modern yet timeless interpretation that remains valid for many years. Enduring design is one of the most important ecological criteria.”

A beautiful kitchen island is the focal point of the kitchen. It’s often the place where the family gathers to talk about their day, do homework, chat with friends, eat snacks or casual meals.

This very important kitchen essential can be many things:

• The Food Prep Center
• The Cooking Center
• The Cleanup Center
• The Storage Center

Usually the island is a combination of work centers. Unfortunately, all too often, not enough planning goes into the island design and the family ends up with an island that is ill-designed and more of hindrance than a help. A great deal of care, thought, and planning needs to go into the design of this workhorse of the kitchen.

Lets look at some of the most common kitchen island design mistakes and how to avoid them.

5. No real function.

For the island to be useful it needs something to do. Assign it a task. If it will be a cook center give it a cooktop, storage for pots, pans, utensils, oils and spices. If it will also be a food prep center add a sink, chopping block, knives, possibly refrigerated crisper drawers. Equip it with all the things it will need to do the job it is assigned to do. It should have at least one major function.

Discussing your needs with your kitchen design professional will avoid these and other design pitfalls and give you the island of your dreams.

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With the vast selection of materials, cabinetry, accessories and appliances available today the possibilities are almost endless.

From sleek and modern to country casual kitchen islands come in every size, shape and color. Read on for ideas that will make your island as unique as you are.

1. The color of your island does not have to match that of the rest of your cabinets. A contrasting color adds interest to your kitchen. A red, blue or yellow island brings color and excitement to white or ivory cabinetry. A rich wood hue island adds warmth to light color cabinets. A deep red, navy or dark green island with wood finished doors and drawers creates a beautiful contrast. Soften a a dark wood finish kitchen with a pale butter yellow or creamy ivory island. A black island can bring drama to any kitchen.

2. The first islands were square or rectangular in shape, and many beautiful islands still are, but think: round, U-shaped, L-shape, T-shape, octagon, curved, oval, wedge or fan shapes for a very unique look.

3. The countertops can make any island unique. Butcher-block has been popular for years but other types of wood countertops are available and have proven to be an attractive, durable and unique alternative. Tip: Use the same color wood for the flooring. Use more than one material, perhaps wood on the eating surface and granite or soapstone on the food prep or cooktop area. Stainless steel, concrete and glass are unique and easy care options.

4. Millwork trim can be the difference between ho-hum and fantastic. Beautifully carved corbels, brackets, mouldings, posts and/or legs for an old world look or less ornate choices for a country or cottage style island. Wood feet for cabinets come in many styles.

5. Equip the island with built-in appliances. Some great choices are dishwasher drawers, an extra oven, a speed oven, microwave drawer, refrigerator or freezer drawers, wine or beverage cooler, ice maker, trash compactor, warming drawer, a built-in food steamer.

6. Most islands have small sinks, and some have a full size sink, but to make an island unique consider a decorative sink like one from Kohler’s Artist Edition or an island size farm sink, a copper or stone, vessel or trough sink or the hottest trend in kitchen sinks–solid glass.

7. Glass front flour and sugar bins are just the ticket for a baking center island, (today’s bins are bug-free.) A pull out stand mixer shelf doubles as extra work space. And the perfect touch? An old fashioned pie safe.

8. Decorate the island end with a tile mural, an art print, or lighted glass display space for collections.

9. Various levels for eating, cooking, prep, or rolling out dough.

10. Decorative knobs, drawer pulls, and matching appliance pulls in rich copper, burnish bronze or elegant brushed or antique pewter. Consider acorn, floral, or grape themes.