Kitchen islands: What to avoid

A kitchen island is an add-on that more and more people are adding to their kitchen renovation wishlist. There are many advantages to having a kitchen island, such as giving you a much-needed counter space that allows you to serve and eat meals at the same time.

Functionality aside, a well-designed kitchen island must also contribute to your kitchen’s overall design and style. Because they are almost always in the centre of your kitchen space, it’s a tough job to design kitchen islands.

Here are some of the common mistakes that you need to avoid:

> The measurements are wrong. The island is either too big or too small. If the island is too big, your kitchen will look cramped and uncomfortable. If it’s too small, you won’t be able to use it properly.

>If you can’t get to and from the sink, refrigerator, stove and primary workstations with ease, then it’s back to the drawing board.

>The island doesn’t maximise the functionality of the cabinets on adjacent walls. A good kitchen island should minimise the distances between cleaning, cooking, prepping, and serving areas.

> You can’t fit a sofa or even a stool. Movements are restricted, and your circulation space is cramped. If this is so, you need to enlarge the surrounding space by trimming down your kitchen island or moving it to the very centre of your kitchen.

> You find yourself facing a wall whenever you’re cooking. Well-designed kitchen islands are constructed in such a way that you are facing the entry door, windows, or the dining table whenever you prepare a meal.

> The kitchen island is not equipped with electricity. You should be able to use your kitchen tools or an additional stove top when cooking for convenience.

If you’re keen on adding an island bench but don’t know where to start, post a job, and our registered renovators will be able to help you out. Get your free quotes today.