Kitchen Furniture: Ideas for a Kitchen Island

A kitchen island is not a new concept, since they were known back in the medieval days when knights were bold. They are assuming increasing popularity in today's kitchens, particularly in larger homes where the kitchen is more than just a small cooking area compressed into an area somewhere between the dining room and the garden shed!

Even in smaller kitchens people are examining the possibilities that could arise by clearing away the traditional kitchen cabinets, and replacing them with kitchen islands that offer the same amount of walking space if not more. Here are some ideas for a kitchen island that is not plumbed in to serve a sink, but that offers a great deal of storage space and can effectively make your kitchen appear larger.

Here are some of the benefits that a kitchen island can offer:

• Increased workspace
• Storage for cutlery and cooking utensils
• Seating and eating areas
• Provide a working surface for food preparation
• Incorporate a waste bin

There are many more benefits according to how you use this type of kitchen furniture. However, before making the decision to purchase a kitchen island, you have some important factors to take into consideration, not the least of which is space.

Space and Design are Important

You need around 3 feet of walking space around the island unit, and you must be sure that the drawers and doors in the cabinets have room to open. If you keep to the 36 inches then you should be OK. The only dimension that must be stated is that of the counter height. Ideally it should be the same as the rest of your kitchen units. If not, then it is not a disaster, but can be disconcerting when you are working on the various surfaces at varying heights.

Another problem you might face if you buy your kitchen island as a separate unit, and not as part of the overall kitchen, is matching it to your existing cabinets. This might not be as easy as your think, but if you purchase a solid color, such as black, white or red, then you should get away with it.

Regarding colors and designs, kitchen islands can be made from a number of different materials. The framework is usually wood, but the main visible surfaces could be metal or even stone - granite is a popular substance used for counter tops. Stainless steel is also good, but try to avoid aluminum if possible, because that is very soft and easily cut and scratched, and the metal oxidizes to a dull finish.

Consider the Services

If you need a power supply for appliances, you can run it up through a pipe or conduit up to the ceiling, or even better, run a line below the floorboards up into the kitchen island. Make sure your installation conforms to local and national regulations. You are advised to employ a qualified electrician to do this.

Many islands are fitted with burners and sinks with a hot and cold water supply, but this is not essential if you already have a traditional sink and stove. There are many different designs of pot hooks or racks that can be used on or above your island. Many people fit hooks to the ceiling to hold cooking pans of different types, but that will depend on the height of your ceiling.

Mind Your Head!

If you are hanging anything from the ceiling, make sure that there is sufficient clearance so that people do not bang their heads on a skillet or frying pan! Clearance is all-important with kitchen islands, because there is not a lot worse than having a kitchen that is severely restricted in space just to accommodate an island. The island should complement your kitchen, not dominate it.

Safety First!

You are better off without it if you are using up all the free space in the room. Your kitchen should be spacious and you should never feel restricted in your movement - in fact it can be dangerous if you are. Yes, a kitchen island is good to have, but not if your safety and freedom of movement are compromised to accommodate it.

A kitchen island can be a useful item of kitchen furniture, but it must serve a purpose and must not be restrictive. Given these provisos, then it can convert an ordinary kitchen into a room you will love to be in and show off to your friends and neighbors.