If you are thinking about a kitchen remodel, you may want to add an island. This is a trendy kitchen feature that can add up to 25 percent more cabinet and counter space. It also gives you more outlets and offers more options for sinks. If you are thinking about adding an island, however, there are a few things you must keep in mind to ensure that it does not overpower your kitchen, and to make sure it looks its best.
Follow the Ten-Percent Rule
The rule of thumb is that an island should not take up more than 10 percent of the kitchen’s total square footage. If it is larger than that, the island will start to dominate the kitchen, and it can even make it difficult to walk through the kitchen. One way to see how an island may change your kitchen is to place a table in the space for a couple of days. This will give you a good idea of how the size of an island will work for you.
If Placing a Cooktop on the Island, Add an Exhaust Hood
If you have ever burned something when cooking, you know that an exhaust system is necessary. With an island, however, you do not have the option of installing an exhaust hood against the wall. Instead, you have two other choices, an up and out hood or a down and out hood.
An up and out exhaust hood is a higher end option, and it draws the smoke up into a tube and out of the house. Since both steam and smoke rise, this is a functional and practical choice, but you have to contend with a vent and hood in the middle of the room.
With some cooktops, there is an option to install a grate in the stove near the burners that pulls the smoke down and out through a crawlspace.
Think Outside of the Box With a Permanent and Freestanding Island
If you are worried about space, you might want to choose a smaller permanent island, and then pair it with a complementary freestanding island. This allows you to have a large island for most occasions, but if you need more walking or crowd space, you can move the freestanding part of the island. A freestanding island works best when the surfaces are level and when each part serves a different need. For instance, you can choose an island that is made of granite, but then a freestanding, movable island that serves as a butcher block for chopping vegetables and meat.
Will the Island Be the Only Way to Cook?
It can also be worth it to think about what purpose you want your island to serve when it comes to cooking. People who are skilled cooks often like having a cooktop on their island as it allows them to have an increased workspace. Also, a cooktop on the island promotes a social atmosphere, especially if your island has a seating area.
Though this may sound like a good idea, it is recommended that you really think about if you want to break your cooking area away from the kitchen perimeter. This constant back and forth across the aisle may frustrate some cooks, especially if you are used to working in a more confined area. One way to do this is to install a smaller cooktop on the island, such as a two burner cooktop and install a full cooktop on the perimeter. This way, you will have your familiar cooktop, but also have an overflow area for when you need a couple of extra burners. Just keep in mind, if choosing a cooktop on the island, that there will be more labor involved as you must bring the gas or electric line up from the floor through the slab or crawlspace, depending on the construction of the home.
Use the Island For Extra Storage Space
Finally, you want to consider using your island for extra storage space. Though many use this feature as extra cooking space, it can also be perfect for extra storage for small appliances, pots, pans and more. You can have extra drawers, shelves and hooks instead of an empty cavern. You can also choose to install cabinets of different sizes, which not only give you more space, it will also give you a unique look to your island.
As you can see, there are many ways that you can use an island, and many ways to design one. If you are considering an island, it is best to talk to your kitchen contractor to find out what they suggest and how you can best utilize an island in your current kitchen space. Also, find out how you can incorporate an island in your current cooking setup whether it is to expand your cooking space or storage.