The kitchen island has become a staple within the modern kitchen design layout. Not only do they provide additional kitchen counter space, but they have become the hub of what is known as the heart of the home. Family meetings, entertaining with friends, or just quick snack making are just a few of the activities that take place at this central location. A room where not only convenience can be found, but often adds architectural interest within your kitchen with the use of custom cabinets, beautiful millwork and interesting counter surfaces such as marble, quartz, butcher block, or even stainless steel.
Given the appropriate space is available, the kitchen island is simply a must-have!
Kitchen Island components
Most importantly, the kitchen island is an opportunity to optimize the work flow of your kitchen. By adding built-in appliances, you can save space in other areas of your kitchen by relocating certain appliance to the island area. In this way, it can also serve as a way to make the function of your kitchen better. Sometimes, it merely serves to aesthetically conceal appliances that you may prefer not to feature.
The pictures below are kitchens within my client’s homes that I designed. As an experienced kitchen designer, in each case, I took the opportunity to strategically utilize their kitchen islands. These images specifically demonstrate how I can help you make the kitchen island the star of the kitchen, and its work horse.
In the first kitchen, you will see that the microwave has been built into the island. The built-in look is very custom and high-end in appearance with a more finished look. This is very on-trend currently, especially in homes with children. The “kid-friendly” height allows children of a suitable age to help themselves in the kitchen, creating a bit of independence and one less thing for mom to do.
Also, you can consider a microwave drawer. This is a great idea because it results in less spills, especially in the case of hot liquids. Just reach in and lift out.
In the kitchen island below, I chose a cleaner line for the cabinetry, as it suited the more modern, transitional feel of the space. This was important because it is an open concept great room; therefore, it can be seen from all dining and living spaces and needed to feel cohesive throughout in style. The white shaker cabinets are set off by the black, pendant lighting above that provides the perfect task lighting needed for the work space below that is the kitchen island. This island has quite a bit of function built into it, as it houses the stainless steel, under-mount sink and a sleek, stainless steel dishwasher.
For the client’s kitchen pictured below, their lifestyle required a centralized cooking space. Therefore, not only is the microwave built-in, but the stove-top is located on the counter top. The wall ovens are just the left and the sink is right behind it. A perfect triangular work flow for these family chefs!
The custom-designed wine rack above the refrigerator allows for wine storage so these “foodies” can pair the perfect wine with their meals. It should also be noted that the counter top on the kitchen island has been chose not only for its beauty and contrast to the ebony cabinetry, but also for its durable because of all the prep and cooking that will go on in the middle of it.
If you would like a customized space plan for your kitchen such as the above clients featured here, let us know! We’d love to work with you on making the most of your ability to enjoy and best utilize every inch of square footage you have in your kitchen space.
Looking for a Long Island kitchen designer? Call Robyn Baumgarten for a friendly interior design consultation: (516) 470.0861
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