While it is often suggested that the kitchen is the heart of your home, it is actually more accurate to visualize the kitchen island as the source of life within the home. Custom kitchen islands can be created into a representation of the warmth and style of your family. Several considerations should be made when planning the design of a kitchen island, including how you currently use your kitchen for meals and entertaining.
When you’re in the initial stages of planning the design of your new kitchen island, consider the space where it will be installed and also the surrounding space. If you are or plan to be a frequent user of the kitchen via cooking, entertaining or sharing an intimate space with friends and family, you want to make sure there’s room to walk. Seating should also be considered, including the number of people in your family and how many you tend to have in the kitchen area when entertaining.
While you’re in the midst of designing a kitchen island and it’s surrounding space, keep in mind that an island can have multiple uses, including acting as a division of space. If you have a dining area or similar space that connects to and from your kitchen, an island can provide a physical boundary that doesn’t impair your view. This can help make smaller spaces feel and look larger and can integrate rooms together without using walls. Even if walls already exist, an island in the kitchen area can create a change in the flow of the construction and subsequently, the overall feel of the home.
Once you have ideas for your kitchen island space roughly sketched, the next step is to plan what fixtures and appliances will be built into the design. Small but not insignificant details such as the choice between a single and double sink in the island can both create working space while reducing counter space. Appliances like a microwave oven, wine chiller, dishwasher and refrigerator can be incorporated into any kitchen island, making them more conveniently available.
Another important detail when planning a kitchen island is the type of materials you want to use both in the cabinetry and on the counter. If you have children or teenagers or are simply a dynamic cook, you may want a durable heat-safe counter surface. For lighter kitchen use or when you’re working with budgetary limitations, man-made counter materials can be cost-effective while maintaining a sense of style.
The main point to remember when planning the design of a custom kitchen island is that this will likely be the main focal point of your home. Work with a designer and look at pre-existing kitchen designs to spark ideas for your own island. Calculate an affordable, reasonable budget that includes unexpected costs but still fits within your means. Most of all, use a kitchen island to create a space that reflects your personal style.
