When it comes to kitchen island design, there are a few things that it helps to take into consideration. Follow our top 10 considerations for a kitchen island design that suits your style, and meets your practical needs...
1. Consider the size of your kitchen
When planning your kitchen island design, the first thing to consider is the size of your kitchen space. It's easy to forget that you not only need enough room for the island, but also enough space to move around it comfortably. A good rule of thumb is to allow a minimum of three feet of space around the kitchen island. If you have appliances or cupboards with doors that open into the kitchen space, be sure to make measurements that take the doors into account. If you don't quite have enough room for an island, then kitchen trolleys, like the FÖRHÖJA from IKEA, make a great alternative.
2. Plan your budget
Kitchen islands, like most features of your home, come in a wide range of prices depending on factors such as; is it custom build or ready-made, the choice of materials used, and does it require additional electrical or plumbing work. Having a kitchen island in your home does not have to be expensive. There are many fantastic kitchen islands available, such as the VÄRDE series by IKEA, which offers style and durability at very affordable prices. Plan your budget beforehand and you'll find that other kitchen island design decisions, like whether to install a sink or not, will be easier to make.
3. What are your practical needs?
So you've measured your kitchen, planned your budget, and are ready to consider the kind of island you'd like in your home. This is the time to have a good look at your practical needs, as the best kitchen islands not only look great, but really add to the smooth functioning of your kitchen. Do you do a lot of cooking? If so, you may want to use your kitchen island as an extra work surface. What about eating? Open kitchen islands with a few bar stools, like the BOSSE stools from IKEA, make a great place to eat breakfast and read the paper in the mornings. A kitchen island offers extra storage options, and a whole new surface for you to use. Consider the best use of those opportunities, and you'll end up with a kitchen island that you'll love, for making your life that little bit easier.
4. What style are you going for?
There are so many different styles available for your kitchen island that you're spoilt for choice. From sleek and modern, like the stainless steel UTBY island from IKEA, to a more traditional country feel, with a little research you will be able to find the exact style you're looking for. If you haven't made your mind up, or need a bit of inspiration, visit your local shops, flick through magazines, or look online. Maybe a style will jump straight out at you, or possibly the right look and feel will slowly form in your mind. A good place to start is considering whether you want your island to blend in with the rest of your kitchen, or would you prefer it to stand out as a style statement that draws the eye.
Get inspiration with IKEA kitchen style selector
5. Adding appliances to your kitchen island
Adding appliances to your kitchen island often has the practical advantage of reducing your work triangle, which makes it easier to get around and requires less energy from you to get things done. It also looks great. Built-in hobs add a neat and tidy feel to the kitchen, and with an island in the centre of the space, it usually receives more natural light.
Learn more about the kitchen work triangle
6. Including a sink
People are often amazed by how often an extra sink gets used, and once they have one, can barely imagine their kitchen life without it. Whether it's for rinsing the dishes, washing hands before eating, or a quick glass of water when dashing out the house, adding a sink to your kitchen island offers a multitude of practical benefits. To add the sink you will need to ensure that the correct plumbing is in place which will add to your costs if it isn't already there.
Get sink and tap ideas
7. What are your storage needs?
Kitchen islands are simply brilliant for extra storage. Many designs, like the STENSTORP island from IKEA, come with shelves that are great for storing everything from pots and pans, to herbs and spices. Consider your storage needs when planning your kitchen island design, and don't be afraid to get a little creative with the ways you use the extra storage space. For example, some kitchen islands, like the GROLAND from IKEA, come with rails that can be used for hanging utensils, towels, or even small baskets of fresh herbs.
8. A place for power sockets
A practical consideration to make when planning your kitchen island design is in regards to power sockets. If you have appliances built into the island, or you want to use things like toasters and food mixers, you'll need to have power sockets included. The number of sockets you'll need will depend on your personal needs and plans for using your kitchen island, but so long as your budget permits, it is always better to have sockets and not need them, than the other way around!
9. Surface material
In today's modern kitchen, the kitchen island has moved on from simply an extra place to prepare meals. It is a centre of activity in the home, a place in the kitchen where we come to congregate, eat, and chat. The material you choose for the surface of your island should meet your practical needs but it also has a huge say in the overall style. If the surface is going to be predominantly used for preparing food, then a durable material like stainless steel or granite is a good practical choice, but also gives the island a strong personality that signifies its function as a place of work. On the other hand, a wooden surface is much warmer and more welcoming, almost inviting people in to eat and socialize around it.
10. Lighting your kitchen island
Your island is a unique area in your kitchen space, with its own style and function, and therefore requires its own task lighting. Adding a dimmer switch to the lighting over your island is a great way to switch function from a relaxed and ambient spot for supper, to a brightly illuminated preparation area. Pendant lights, like the IKEA BRASA pendant lights, work wonderfully well over a kitchen island, as does track-mounted spotlights, such as the BASISK lights from IKEA.
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