WHAT IS AN ISLAND KITCHEN?
An Island is a free-standing piece of cabinetry that is placed in the kitchen as an addition to match the original design and compliment it. Islands are a supplement to the countertop space. Kitchen owners often purchase a freestanding mobile island to increase a kitchens preparation area. Islands are not limited to specific dimensions so they can be modified to a specific dimension according to the size of the kitchen available.
Kitchen islands can be perfect additions to your kitchens if you are planning to remove your kitchen for additional space, a workspace for your nightly work as you enjoy a hot cup of tea. A practical and beautiful island will be the most used area in your kitchen.
It is common practice to design an island by purchasing additional base cabinets that match the design of the available kitchen features so that you have a complete pattern. It is also common to feature elevated stools along the non-cooking side of the island to supplement the dining area. Though an island is perfect for increasing your kitchen storage space some islands are destined without internal storage. A true island should be the same height as your countertops in similar or uniform colours to the entire kitchen.
Kitchen islands have become an icon to the modern kitchen. It is perfect for creating social bonds in the kitchen. They are perfect for the family to gather around, to relax, cook and entertain and enjoy each other’s company.
A kitchen Island can be generally added to an L shaped Kitchen or a one wall kitchen layout. But with the trend, an island can be added to almost any kitchen layout as long as it can be made to fit in.
Origin Of Kitchen Islands
Kitchen islands derive their origin from wooden farm tables. Wooden farm tables were added to the kitchen to provide extra space required for preparing food. It soon became a place that families gathered to relax and socialise as they waited for food. They soon turned out to become informal dining areas for families. This became a tradition that has migrated to the formal kitchens today with modifications and advancements.
How to design a perfect kitchen island for your kitchen?
Consider the use or why you need a kitchen island
Consider all the activities and enhancements that you want a kitchen island to add to your kitchen. What is it you aim for, the workspace, the storage, the kitchen social impact? All these will determine how your kitchen island will look, its size and its modification.
Allow a proportional size for your kitchen island
We know that an island is good for your kitchen but do not overhype it. A perfect side for your kitchen island will range from 2m to 3m long and 2.2m to 1.4 m wide.
Enough space should be left around the kitchen island
You should make sure that you have enough space to walk around your kitchen. It is a golden rule to leave space of 1m to 1.2 meters around your island table to aid movement in the kitchen. Attachments like cabinets need an area to open out into. This space will also help you to minimise unnecessary accidents around the kitchen.
The right countertop colour and material
The countertop colour should match or enhance the rest of your kitchen but you should look out for the following;
Scratch-resistant countertops and hard to stain materials. Natural marble is stunning but it is porous, easily stained and gets scratched easily as well. Quartz countertops are low maintenance, on the other hand, they are durable and easy to clean.
The lighting for your island
Your kitchen island is a multi-tasking workplace, you can use it for cooing eating, socialising and doing your homework. This means you will need the perfect lights for your island.
Pendant lighting is an excellent idea for your island setup and will add an extra layer of interest to your kitchen setup. The low hanging bulbs will create a good impression and also offer extra light for everyday tasks.
However, it is good to ensure that your lights are dimmable to adjust the mood from cooking, dining, and studying
Advantages Of Kitchen Islands
- Islands are social areas, they ensure that the cook can spend time with the visitors and still do the cooking
- An island is a food preparation area. It gives you extra space to set up and prepare ingredients for your kitchen
- Your kitchen island can be utilized as a cleaning canter as one of its main purposes. In this case an under mountkitchen sinkcan be attached to your island.
- A cooking area can also be set up on your island. It is important to have a heat resistant countertop Made of metal, tile or stone
- An island is a storage place for your kitchen appliances, kitchenware and other kitchen elements. This is made possible by the addition of cabinetry to you island
- A dining is another purpose you can utilize your kitchen island for. Push in stools can be added to one side of your Kitchen Island. Your visitors and family members can have some of their food there as you enjoy a light moment
Disadvantages of a Kitchen Island
The biggest challenge with a kitchen island is the space it requires to be fitted in compared to a kitchen peninsula. Much as a kitchen island is such a modern trend it should not be forced into tiny areas of unsuitable layouts. Ensure that the space in your kitchen is enough to fit in a kitchen island.
Why do I need a kitchen island?
A kitchen island is a great addition to your kitchen due to its multiple functions like cooking, dining, socialising, food preparation, dining additional storage, and your homework. An island is an addition you should consider when remodelling your kitchen or setting up a new design and layout for your kitchen.
What size do I need for my kitchen island?
The size of your kitchen island should be designed in accordance to the size of your kitchen. The golden rule is to leave space of 1m to 1.2m around your kitchen area
The proportional standard size of your kitchen should therefore be 2m to 3 m long and 1.4 m to 2.2 m wide
How to Optimize the Use of My Kitchen Island?
In order to optimize the functions of your kitchen island, it is ideal to use it for multiple functions. Your kitchen island is an additional storage area for your kitchen with the addition of cabinets, you can use it as a food preparation area supplementing your kitchen counter, a cleaning area with the addition of a kitchen sink preferably an under-mount design, a cooking area with a heat resistant countertop made of tiles, stone or marble, a dining area with the addition of stools to your island, a social area for the cook and the family members or visitors.
How Much Is A Kitchen Island Going To Cost You In Uganda?
An island will be a slightly costly affair for you. The kitchen island you set up should match the design of your kitchen; creating kitchen cabinets that suit your storage needs will require you to choose the right material and the right labour and designer. A moveable is more advisable compared to one that is fixed in one place. The more functions you will use your island for the more costly it will be for you.
Read about the peninsular/ G-shaped Kitchen layout
