Cook Considerations

The right kitchen island for kitchen entertaining is one that provides a comfortable spot for onlookers to congregate but that provides ample space for the cook to show off skills.

On the “business side,” the island should be configured to reflect the cook’s style of cooking. Bakers will enjoy cool, marble countertops and spacious under-cabinets to store pans and baking sheets. Grillers will appreciate a built-in grill and downdraft exhaust fan.

Guest Accommodations

Guests will appreciate a kitchen island with room for chairs or stools on the “public side.” Counters with a contoured edge are a thoughtful touch. An overhanging rack for wine glasses and a built-in wine cooler adds to the fun.

Fitting out a kitchen for kitchen entertaining can include a kitchen island that allows cooks to show off their specialties to the best advantage as well as allowing onlookers to be comfortable while enjoying the experience.

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Additional Storage

Perhaps the biggest benefit of a kitchen island is the amount of additional storage that you will gain after installation. Instead of needing to rely on the traditional cabinetry, you have plenty of extra cabinets for storage. This can be sued for less common items like stemware and china, or popular items like children’s plates that they can easily reach.

Extra Preparation Space

It can be fun to involve the whole family in cooking, but without adequate counter space it is a challenge to find enough room. An island allows everyone to have space to help prepare and cook a meal together as a family.

These are just two of the many advantages that kitchen islands bring to the home, in addition to their attractive appearance.

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Extra Counter Space

Perhaps the biggest benefit of having a kitchen island is that you will be able to spread out much more when preparing foods, baking or cooking. You are only limited by the size of the island. It is possible to double the available counter space in a kitchen with the addition of an island.

Extra Storage Space

While the top of a kitchen island is a counter, underneath you will have available storage space. This can be used as a pantry or to store items for entertaining, such as china plates and champagne glasses.

Extra Dining Space

Kitchen islands provide a perfect space to sit and have a quick meal, cup of coffee, or just chat with whoever cooks in the kitchen.

With extra counter space, storage and dining area, kitchen islands are a great choice for any kitchen.

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There is no denying that kitchen islands create a stunning look in the right kitchen. Additionally, they can be very practical, allowing space for things like preparing food, adding in a cooktop or even washing dishes in an additional sink! However, they are not right for every style or those with space limitations. Here are some tips on deicing if a kitchen island is right for you:

Do You Have the Space?

Multi-Purpose Islands

A household kitchen serves more than one purpose in these modern times. Will you be doing a large amount of prep on this surface? Maybe the kids need a place to complete their homework. Does it need any special wiring or plumbing? These are some considerations to keep in mind.

Include Useful Accessories

Think about what is going to be accomplished around your kitchen island. This will allow the creation of a fully customized space that works for you. Some common items to have included on a kitchen island are: cutting boards, sinks, trash chutes, cutlery drawers or electrical outlets for appliances. The positioning of these items can be adapted to suit any need that you might have.

If you have the space, a kitchen island is a great idea to increase the versatility of any kitchen area. By planning what you want in one of these, your life can be made much easier.

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Size and Configuration

To take full advantage of the conveniences a kitchen island offers, choose one large enough for extras, such as an additional sink or cook top, or extra counter space for an informal eating area. Organize the table around its primary purpose. For food preparation, include storage not only for large spoons, knives and containers, but for mixers and food processors as well.

Add-Ons and Extras

A kitchen island can give you the room to add extra function and convenience to your kitchen, with options to include appliances like trash compactors, garbage and compost bins, a dishwasher and a ventilation hood or downdraft fan, as well as custom-designed cabinets and drawers for storage solutions.

As attractive as they are functional, kitchen islands invite family and friends to gather round and participate in food preparation, helping to make the kitchen the heart of the home.

A Moveable Feast

A kitchen island provides a compelling focal point for a kitchen. As a substantial piece of furniture, islands make kitchens look less like a laboratory and more like an inviting room. When space doesn’t allow for a free-standing kitchen island, consider an island with wheels. Rolling islands can be tucked against a wall when not being used.

A Place for Everything

Furniture for the kitchen tends to be oriented towards a specific purpose, adding functionality to a standard kitchen. For those who love to entertain, consider the addition of a bar and bar stools, or a fine buffet for serving hors d’oeuvres. Wine connoisseurs will appreciate wine racks and cooling units.

When it comes to kitchen furniture, look for the quality materials and expert construction that will ensure that your furnishings are as durable as they are attractive.

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Increased Storage

Most kitchen islands sit atop a set of cabinets, and additional cabinet space is always a good thing. With the increased number of appliances, dishes and utensils people tend to amass over time; having the additional space to store it all prevents the kitchen from appearing cluttered and small.

More Counter Space

No matter how you look at it, whether the island holds a sink, stove top or simply a countertop, just as more cupboard space is a good thing, so is more counter top space.

Many times these islands have a bar feature that allows people to sit down while others may be working in the kitchen. This feature is great as it is welcoming, and while people may not have previously congregated in the kitchen, there is now more opportunity to do so.

Providing increased space, and working to draw people together are just two of the benefits a kitchen island will provide. These two reasons are also a driving force behind why these islands are so popular.

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TVs

TVs in the kitchen? These days the TV set has been flattened and condensed to the point it will sit neatly on the countertop, be mounted under a cabinet space, or even found in the doors of refrigerators. All wired with the five hundred plus channels on the market today, staying up to date on one’s favorite show while whipping up a gourmet meal just got a lot easier.

Island Mini Bar

The kitchen island has long been a popular trend in kitchen entertaining design, so when the idea came around of turning a portion of that island into a mini bar, entertaining guests in the kitchen just moved up a rung or two in most entertaining rooms in the house. Installing a mini fridge or an ice machine also kicks these mini bar islands up a notch.

Making your kitchen fit within your needs for style and functionality is important. Depending upon your style of entertaining, there are many options for making  your kitchen the most popular room in the house.

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Location

When determining the location of your island, you need to measure the dimensions of your kitchen from the edge of the countertop. There should be at least three feet between all countertops in the kitchen so there is enough room for all that goes there. Also think about the placement of the island. Is it going to be awkwardly placed on a high traffic pathway between two objects?

Size

The size of the island will be determined by the needs you want the island to fulfill and the overall kitchen space you have. If you have a small kitchen, but you want a little more workspace, think about getting a roll-away island with shelves that can be pushed off to the side when not in use. If you have a large space, you can have a large kitchen island and use it as cabinet space and a place to eat meals as well.

Just remember, size and location determine which island to use.

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