A kitchen with an island is a somewhat new concept, as far as kitchen designing goes. After kitchens got larger and open concept home began to get popular, the kitchen island has become an almost a “go-to” piece of everyone’s floorplans new kitchen.
However, that doesn’t mean a kitchen with an island is appropriate for each kitchen. If you’re considering a kitchen remodel and the “kitchen island or not” question is one that is more considerable, the following are some things to think about.
Do You Have Room for a Kitchen with an Island?
According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, an open kitchen with an island needs to have at a minimum of forty-two inches of clearance around each side of the island. Why the amount? It is due to its main goal being a work area. When you were simply walking past it, 36 inches would be enough. Nevertheless, if you are not installing an island in your new kitchen so you can merely pass it by. Consequently, forty-two inches it is. Contemplate the size of your new kitchen: Can you install a kitchen island fit reasonably?
Can You Spend Money on a Kitchen with an Island
When concluding, “kitchen island or not,” take your budget into account. Having a kitchen island installed is going to add expense for cabinetry and a countertop, by adding any appliances or sink and fixtures you’re also contemplating about. Therefore, using semi-customized cabinetry is going to save you money from the beginning, nevertheless—you need to do your homework and ascertain f you have enough space in your budget, in addition to space in your kitchen, for an island.
The Pros and Cons of an Open Concept Kitchen with an Island
The pros of a kitchen island are plentiful: You get added counter space, added storage, an eating space, and possibly room for a kitchen appliance or miniscule work sink. Therefore, you can just modify an “L”-shaped kitchen into a “U”-shape one after adding an island! With an open concept floor plan, additionally you have the opportunity to engage with family members and company not in the kitchen with you when you’re cooking or overseeing your children when the in the area carrying schoolwork out when seated at the kitchen island.
Kitchen Conversation Starter or Disrupter
In addition, you have the added, as aforementioned cost, plus an island can disrupt the conventional triangle layout of range/sink/ refrigerator. Nevertheless, you want your kitchen to be practical, so adding an island and causing disruption is not a good idea. Having said that, islands do not have to be rectangular shaped. You could find something other than a rectangle if that serves always flow of traffic better. Nevertheless, that is going to additionally add to your costs.
Alternative Answers To “Kitchen Island or Not?”
There are ways to add to some of the practical and design factors of an island without incurring the costs or disruption with your flow when you cook. Nevertheless, you could easily use a table. Through a table, you get an additional cooking surface, as well at becomes an eating area that everyone can use. With an island, there is only seating on one side so there’s less unification around the meal. Nevertheless, a table can be placed out of the way and pushed up against a wall, when not needed. Another alternative is a cart with wheels. Through the cart, you get a workspace with additional storage and—as with the table—you can move it out of the way when not in use.
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