Why should you choose a kitchen with an island?
Designing a kitchen with a central island may be an investment, but it presents so many advantages. This type of kitchen is so inviting and offers the perfect excuse for getting together with friends and family in one of the home's key rooms. If you love cooking, then you can enjoy your guests' company while preparing your showstoppers.
Bespoke kitchen island: the main part of your interior design
In recent years, islands have become a key fixture in any self-respecting open plan kitchen. With their warm feel and countless practical features, they have soared up the popularity list. Several types of designs are available. You can either use it as your favourite place for meetings or as a made to measure worktop where several people can cook at the same time. The choice is yours when it comes to the island's worktop. You will also need to include a few stools for extra practicality.
The island can also be a dedicated cooking area, along with a sink and a hob. The design and layout will depend on how you intend to use it. If you are going to fit a hob to the kitchen island, an extractor hood will obviously be needed. All these aspects will determine what type of island is best suited to your lifestyle.
In addition, other factors will need to be taken into consideration, especially if you already have a fitted kitchen. The island will need to blend in with the existing units. In this case, your choices might be more limited. The space and layout of your rooms will also affect the type of island that you can install.
Surface area required to install an island in your kitchen
Are you tempted by the idea of installing a central island? Before you go ahead, make sure that you have the necessary space. Islands often come in large dimensions. You should not be impeded when moving around the island. Since it represents the heart of the kitchen, it should be stylish and functional. The minimum surface area required is 15 m². A surface area of 20 m² is considered to be ideal for installing an island. If you are lacking space, the ideal alternative would be to install a peninsula-style kitchen.
Layout of the island in the kitchen
Depending on your kitchen, the island can be fixed to the wall to serve as a continuation of your kitchen or to extend your worktop. This layout is recommended if you have a small kitchen or if you would rather leave more space for the adjacent lounge and dining room. The trendiest islands often tend to be standalone units in the middle of the kitchen. Some people even turn it into a dining area, complete with stools. This type of layout is particularly popular, because it has an extremely cosy feel. It is highly suited to kitchens with a modern look or industrial style.
The right materials for your bespoke kitchen island
When it comes to materials, granite and quartz bring an incredibly elegant touch to the kitchen. A noble material such as marble is also an excellent choice. It represents a match made in heaven with a monochrome black or white kitchen. Marble can also be highlighted to stunning effect by brighter colours, such as peacock blue. Wood is another alternative.
Laminate is a great option for those working to a tight budget. Several types of laminate finishes are available, including wood, concrete, metal and slate. Concrete coatings have become a firm favourite in recent years. They can give a beautiful effect to sleek-looking contemporary kitchens. Tiled kitchen islands had their heyday back in the 2000s. Since then, tiled surfaces have gone out of fashion, so it would be a better idea to only use tiles for your kitchen splashback.
The kitchen island: your home's showstopper
The choice of island is important, especially if you have a single space for your kitchen, lounge and dining room. This imposing unit can be used to mark out the different living spaces. The island can even be modular and highly functional depending on your space. For example, one side could serve as storage in your open plan kitchen, while the other side could be used to display the decorative items in your lounge or dining room. If you go for a highly stylised design, not only will it catch the eye, but it will also set the tone for the decoration in the rest of your home.
Islands have been a real fashion statement in recent years, so there is no shortage of inspiration. Take the time to work out how you are going to design this space. Everything is important, from the choice of materials down to the lamps and ceiling lights. Bear in mind that the kitchen is one of the most popular rooms in the home for both the owners and their guests. Nothing is more enjoyable than spending quality time with friends and family while you are rustling up some tasty dishes.
Whatever your tastes or inspirations, you will not regret your decision to install an island in your kitchen!
Our other advice for choosing the right colours and layout for your kitchen:
Fitted kitchen: all our ranges Open plan or American-style kitchen Peninsula kitchen Small kitchen U-shaped kitchen L-shaped or corner kitchen T-shaped kitchen Galley kitchen Black kitchen White kitchen Grey kitchen