Kitchen Island Designs – Warm & Contemporary
Kitchen island designs are something that homeowners almost always want when the time comes to remodel their kitchens. However, a poorly-planned or badly designed island can cause more problems than it solves.
Here are some tips for kitchen island designs that will work for your home:
Plan Your Aisles Well
All too often, islands are squeezed in to a tight kitchen or built to small for a large room. Thirty-six inches is the minimum between cabinets, 42 inches is ideal for a one-cook kitchen and 48 inches is optimal for a kitchen with more than one cook,” Nevertheless, having too much space can be a problem, too. Homeowners don’t want to be walking 5 or 6 feet between the counter and the island.
Don’t Be Afraid of Unusual Shapes & Materials
Islands can take any shape and become a nice focal point so be sure to take advantage of your space to make a unique design statement. Also, using alternative countertop materials or cabinet finishes can create an eye-catching distinction, especially in a large kitchen.
Seating Is Critical!
When designing kitchen islands, it is important to consider who will be sitting at them. If you or your guests are tall then you need to keep this in mind when coming up with your kitchen island designs.
At Performance Kitchens we recommend a knee clearance of 18 inches for a 30-inch tall island, 15 inches for a 36-inch island and 12 inches for a 42-inch island. In addition, 24 inches between stools allows enough elbow room.
Carefully Consider Your Layout
An island needs to be designed for the way people use it.
If you intend to place a sink in your new island, we recommend that you make sure that the dishwasher and trash are located nearby. The placement of electrical outlets is important too and are often an overlooked element.
The kitchen below in Narberth, Pa was remodeled to have a cozy island with seating, more storage, extra counter space and a better workflow! Cherry stained solid wood cabinetry.
See more kitchens in our kitchen design gallery
