By Janette Mae Phillips

What does the expression kitchen island make you think of? When you first hear it, if you dont know what it is, you may think of a desert island covered in kitchen appliances, a small island where all everyone does is cook, or a remote kitchen in the middle of nowhere.

In fact, the definition of a kitchen island is very simple. It is an unattached counter in a kitchen that allows access from all sides. Kitchen islands come in all kinds and varieties, from a basic countertop to a sophisticated cooking center. Some are less permanent and take the form of a microwave trolley or general workstation on wheels. They are particularly popular among modern kitchen design ideas, and if you are thinking of having one, you can tailor it to your specific needs.

So why would you want to put something like this in your kitchen? Would it look funny? And would it be in the way?

There are many reasons for fitting this kind of design idea:

– There is not enough wall space to fit any more countertops along the periphery of your kitchen.

– You need more space to work.

– You want extra storage, with cupboards that you can enter from both sides.

– You feel that your kitchen needs a central focus.

Of course, when designing your kitchen island, you have to take the shape, width, and length of the room into account, because you dont want to put it too close to your wall counters or create a feeling of being cluttered. Indeed, the suggested distance between an island and a counter is at least 42 inches, or 36 inches if you are pushed for space, but certainly no less than that.

Regarding the height of your island, a lot depends on how you wish to use it. If it is to be a counter, it should be about 36 inches high, but if it includes an eating area, this should drop to 30 inches. If you want it to fulfill the function of a bar, it should be elevated to 40 inches in height.

If space is a problem in your kitchen, you do not need to install a permanent island. Some freestanding varieties exist that are portable and can therefore be wheeled in and out at your convenience. Another solution is a kitchen peninsula, which means a surface attached to one of the walls, which again can be put up or down according to need.

The main disadvantage of portable islands, however, is their relative instability. If your portable island takes the form of a trolley, for example, it can tip over easily. This is particularly risky if you have young children and should be taken into account. Even with a permanent island, you should make absolutely sure that it has been properly bracketed to the floor.

Before you make a final decision, based on the above you should think clearly what you need an island for, whether you have enough space, and whether it should be permanent or portable. Hopefully, you will be very happy with your final decision.

About the Author: Janette likes to beautify her cooking area and making use of

kitchen island

or

kitchen design ideas

is something that she unquestionably advises to know about kitchen island.

Source:

isnare.com

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