Kitchen Islands

Kitchens are getting bigger. As family sizes increase, so does the popularity of spacious and functional kitchens. With a little planning, a kitchen island can become the heart of the family kitchen.

Kitchen Islands:

Look for kitchen islands that are longer and wider than ever before. Flat surface kitchen islands (rather than mulit-level) add a degree of simplicity and can help avoid a choppy look to a kitchen. Bump-outs, corner posts, inset areas, and open shelving are details that add personality and style.

A single surface kitchen island is the simplest and most common. However, many homeowners opt for multi-level kitchen islands to accommodate both prep and eating areas, wine racks, cookbook shelves, bar sinks, deep fryers, and other amenities. Additional levels can add interest and functionality.

Multiple kitchen islands are another possibility in large spaces. A prep kitchen island might be placed near the work triangle with a second serving or eating island positioned on the edge of the kitchen space.

Portable kitchen islands are another possibility. These can be freestanding or rolling worktables made of wood or stainless steel, and generally have a steel, tile, or wood countertop. A rolling cart or mobile kitchen island may also be placed in the center of a kitchen or next to a blank wall for additional versatility within the space.

To see if an island would fit in your kitchen, try stacking up empty moving boxes in the size and shape of the island you'd like. Live with it for a week or so to see how the size works in relation to your appliances and layout.

Before you put in a kitchen island, consider how you might use it, whether you'll need seating, electricity, prep centers, recycling bins, roll out shelves, cookbook storage, refrigerator drawers, and the like.

Another consideration is the work "triangle" that is already in your kitchen. This area of movement between the sink, stove, and refrigerator. An efficient work triangle shouldn't be interrupted without careful thought as to the impact of the island on work habits.

Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen Appliances

Kitchen Tables

Kitchen Utensils

Kitchen Furniture

Kitchen Sinks

Kitchen Islands

Kitchen Knife

Kitchen Curtains

Kitchen Supply

Online Kitchen Supplies