One of the benefits of building a custom home on your land or lot is the ability to create spaces that are perfect for you and your family. One of the spaces that is extremely important to many of our clients is the kitchen. Often considered the “heart of the home,” today’s kitchens are both functional and stylish. Whether designing a farmhouse, urban, or storybook home, one of the most requested kitchen features is a kitchen island.
How to Create the Perfect Kitchen Island
Large, eat-in kitchens with loads of storage are often on our client’s wish list. A kitchen island is an efficient way to fulfill these wants and needs. Whether a built-in piece of cabinetry or a freestanding prep table, bar, or Boucherie, a kitchen island helps fill otherwise unused space.
Tip #1: Choose the right size.
Before getting your heart set on a specific island, it is important to know the exact square footage of your kitchen. As a rule, there should be a minimum of 36 inches of walkable space around the kitchen island. It is possible to design the kitchen’s over-all size around an island. Normally, however, the island is chosen after the floor plan (and thus, the kitchen) is designed.
Tip #2: Think about function.
Once the needed size is determined, the next step is to consider the island’s functionality. For example, will it be used mainly as a meal prep area? Or perhaps you entertain regularly and need additional storage space for extra dishes. Would a multi-purpose island with both a “working” side and a “public” side suit your needs better? Do you require open shelves to store cookbooks or frequently used small appliances? Or perhaps drawer space is essential because you want storage for linens and cutlery. Thinking through how you use your kitchen is extremely important. You don’t want to invest in an island for purely aesthetic reasons. Of course, your island should be a beautiful addition to the room. But it needs to function properly, too.
Tip #3: Have fun!
Finally, don’t get too stressed about creating the perfect kitchen. We are here to help! One of our design professionals will be happy to meet you at our Showroom, helping you choose cabinets from one of our preferred lines. If you decide a freestanding kitchen island will function better in your space, we can help you choose that, too. After all, designing your dream home should be fun!
Ready to start creating your dream kitchen with the perfect kitchen island?! Click here to contact us! We’d love the opportunity to put you in your Element!
You might also like the series, “How to Design the Perfect House Plans.” Click here to read.
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