Kitchen Islands: A Modern Kitchen Standard
By: James Newell on Tue Mar 31, 2009
All modern innovations have grown out of the desire to become more practical. Kitchen islands are a striking example of this type of innovation. Gone are the days of the hearth when all the appliances and cabinets had to be clustered together and fitted to the walls of a closed-in room. The latest trend is to have kitchen islands because they are accessible from all sides and are functionally very convenient. Moreover, they look more like furniture and they transform into the center of all activities as they are visible from all rooms and they can easily accommodate many people who take part in cooking. Even party guests can lend a helping hand and there is plenty of room for maneuverability.
Kitchen islands, if they are properly designed, can become the hub of kitchen activities. They provide storage, work space, and make a strong visual statement.
Main Points To Consider While Planning Kitchen Islands
While planning a kitchen island you should take care of the following aspects:
you should keep enough space for dishwasher doors to open and for garbage and compost bins, and the access to the storage spaces should be absolutely clear and easy. There should be proper outlets for operating the small appliances and the refrigerator and cook tops should be nearby. The countertop should be heat resistant and there should be at least 18 inches of space all round the cooking range or cook top. The height and width of the counter should be suitable for normal sized chairs and stools.
You should also remember that the size of the kitchen island should match the space available in the kitchen. Too big an island will make it difficult to move around and operate other appliances. You should not plan to have a kitchen island if the size of your kitchen is less than 12 feet long and 8 feet deep as the minimum size of a kitchen island is 4 feet long and more than 2 feet deep. Moreover, you need enough space to move around and work in different places in the kitchen island.
Take Care Of Storage Spaces
Storage space in a kitchen is a very critical aspect that needs to be maneuvered to your advantage. Basically, you need storage space on all sides of the kitchen island, whether it’s the working side or the public side. Shallow cabinets should be placed on the public side to store napkins, platters and cutlery and other items that are not necessary for food preparation purposes. However, on the working side you need to store pots, pans, small appliances, knives and all else that would be needed for cooking.
Major appliances like microwaves, dishwashers and ovens might also have to be accommodated in the kitchen island, if space permits. You could even plan out the incorporation of a sink or a washing area.
The main criteria that you need to take into account while planning for your kitchen island are your convenience, the availability of space and your budget. If you can afford it, you should take professional advice that will be useful in the long run.
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