Kitchen Island Pros and Cons
Kitchen islands are a popular addition to many kitchens, providing extra worktop space, storage, and seating. It can be a central point, creating a social space for working, cooking, eating and relaxing. However, there are also some potential drawbacks to having a kitchen island. In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of having an island.
What are the benefits?
Practicality:
One of the main benefits of having a kitchen island is the additional storage space it provides. In a recent consumer survey, one of the main regrets of homeowners when it came to their kitchen design was the lack of storage space. With a kitchen island, this problem can be easily solved as it provides additional cupboard space. In addition to providing more storage space, an island also offers additional work surface space. This is especially important for those who love to cook and need ample space for meal preparation. A kitchen island provides an additional working area to chop, mix, and prepare your food. This is also ideal for those who enjoy hosting dinner parties or cooking for a large family. Furthermore, an island can also serve as an ideal space for additional seating. This is especially useful for those who have a busy lifestyle and prefer to grab a quick meal . With the addition of a breakfast bar and bar stools, you can easily create a comfortable seating area within your kitchen. This is also ideal for those who love to entertain and host guests in their home.
Aesthetics:
A kitchen island can be more than just a functional piece of furniture; it can also add aesthetic value to your kitchen. When designed with care and attention to detail, a kitchen island can be a beautiful and eye-catching centrepiece that complements the overall design of your home. Using unique materials for the kitchen island can create a statement piece that stands out from the rest of the kitchen. Experiment with natural timber panelling, backlit onyx, or porcelain surfaces for the back panel. This will add depth and visual interest to the island and make it a true focal point of your kitchen. Designer pendant lights can draw the eye towards the island and create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Consider the style of your kitchen lighting when choosing the design, whether it be modern, rustic, or traditional.
A kitchen island with contrasting colours to the rest of the kitchen cabinets can create visual interest and make the island stand out. Bold and vibrant colours can be used to add character, while more muted shades can create a subtle yet striking impact.
Get inspiration from stunning Clay international surfaces:
https://clayinternational.co.uk/
Discover fluted and reeded wooden panels from the Surface Studio:
https://thesurface.studio/
Social Hub:
Kitchen islands create a more social environment as people are naturally attracted to it. With the hob position on the island you can have a conversation with friends and members of the family while cooking. A kitchen island is perfect for the growing family too as it can serve as a convenient and comfortable dining area for children. This can be especially useful for busy mornings when there’s no time to sit down for a formal breakfast.
I hope you enjoy reading this blog post.
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What are the disadvantages?
Poorly designed kitchen with an island can be rather inconvenient. It can distort the natural flow of the kitchen especially if it’s placed in between frequently used areas, such as a sink and a hob. If the distance between the island and other furniture/walls is insufficient, it may be difficult to get past. A kitchen island can also be an eyesore, if it’s out of balance with the rest of the kitchen design.
Having a kitchen island may prove it difficult to keep the kitchen clean and tidy, especially if there is a sink on the island, as people tend to leave the dishes in or around the sink.
An addition to the kitchen island may cost substantially more due to additional materials and labour. A kitchen island may require services to be installed in the middle of the room, such as power supply to the hob, lights or additional sockets, in addition to that the worktops may cost substantially more, as the island will require additional slab of quartz or granite.
Is it worth having a kitchen island and does it add value?
Having a kitchen island can be a valuable addition to your kitchen, as it provides additional worktop space, storage, and seating. A well designed island will add value to the house. Homebuyers love functional and social kitchen spaces and as the saying goes: kitchen sells the house. However, it also has some potential drawbacks, such as cost, space constraints, and more clutter.
Whether to have an island or not, ask yourself 2 questions:
1. Does it make sense to have an island in the existing space? Use a kitchen planner
or even masking tape to mark the position on the floor to get the feel of the overall
size in the kitchen.
2. Are you comfortable with spending more on the kitchen by adding an island? If so,
you can speak to our team to help with your kitchen design.
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