Kitchens with Island
Classic, Versatile, and Practical
A kitchen island is a classic part of most big kitchens. Just picture it now: a large, stylish space full of light, lined with gleaming cabinets, with a huge, sleek surface in the centre to anchor it all. Maybe you feel like you don’t have a big enough kitchen to accommodate an island, but the truth is that kitchens with islands can be incredibly practical and versatile, even in smaller spaces. After all, a kitchen island isn’t just a work surface; it can also function as storage space or a dining table. There are a lot of options for integrating a kitchen island into your home, so get creative!
How to Bring Your Kitchen Island Ideas to Life
Kitchen islands became popular in the 2000s, as part of the open-plan kitchen craze. Proponents of the kitchen island rave about the enormous amount of space it adds for work and storage. The classic design is integrated into U- or L-shaped kitchens, with the kitchen island as the centrepiece. Having an island can reduce clutter because the base is just as useful as the workspace on top: a few kitchen island ideas are to have built in cabinets for extra storage space or appliances like an oven or dishwasher– small kitchens with islands often utilise this space-saving element. Or, if you want to get really creative, you might even build a space for a small herb garden into your kitchen island. Not only that, but an island can be a striking visual addition to a kitchen, and offers a great opportunity to experiment with kitchen materials.
Premium Kitchen Materials for Your Kitchen Island
Because kitchen islands are so large, it’s important to pick the right materials. The top of the island is the most visible component, but it’s not the only one– there’s also the base to consider. It’s about both style and function: for instance, if you’re a heavy user, a stainless steel top will combine a sleek look and durability. If you do a lot of baking and want to temper chocolate, a marble countertop is a great option! You could even combine two of those options: kitchens with islands allow you to integrate a variety of materials into your cooking routine.
Do Kitchen Islands Have to be Anchored?
Anchoring a kitchen island means attaching it to the floor so it won’t shift around. It’s a good idea to do this, especially if you’re planning to use it as a dining space. However, kitchen islands are heavy and don’t always need to be anchored. Depending on what materials you use, you may not have to anchor it at all! Using granite for the workspace on top, for instance, is probably heavy enough that you don’t need to worry about your island shifting around. Regardless, any premium kitchen designer will take care of that for you, so you shouldn’t worry about it!
Should the Kitchen Island Match the Cabinets?
If you’re installing a kitchen island but don’t want to update your other surfaces, you might be worried that your island won’t match the rest of your kitchen exactly– but it doesn’t have to. Classic kitchens may combine surface materials for a sophisticated look. You can have fun with it! A kitchen is a space to play with more than food– you can experiment with colours, light, and shapes while you’re designing it. And the best part is, those choices make it easier for you to get down to the business of cooking! If your kitchen is designed to reflect your needs and lifestyle, your cooking experience will be smooth and seamless– every material perfectly chosen, every appliance perfectly placed.
Small Kitchens with Islands
If you want to build a kitchen island, you should calculate enough space for one person to stand at the island and allow another person to comfortably walk behind them. It’s also essential that there’s enough room for cabinet doors and appliances to open. Ultimately, you should set aside about 15 square meters (160 square feet) of space for the island itself. That makes kitchen islands surprisingly feasible, even in small kitchens. Small kitchens with islands can actually be quite advantageous because of the storage space added by the base and the versatility of the workspace. If you build an oven and stovetop into your kitchen island, you free up other space in the kitchen. A kitchen island table can also be used for eating and socialisation– just pull up a couple of chairs and start chatting!
Are Kitchen Islands Going Out of Style?
Definitely not! Kitchen islands may have become popular in the 2000s, but they’re still just as relevant today.Their versatility makes them a timeless addition to any kitchen, and here at SieMatic we are huge fans of the kitchen island! We love combining practicality, durability, excellence, and creativity in our kitchens, and kitchens with islands are a fantastic example of how to merge those qualities. And there are lots of different kinds of kitchen island designs: you might have a traditional island, with a stylised wooden base and marble top, or you might prefer a sleek, modern kitchen island. Maybe a curved kitchen island is the unique touch your kitchen needs– either way, your custom kitchen island can be designed to suit your exact needs.
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