Choosing The Right Kitchen Islands

A kitchen island is a countertop or cabinet unit with all sides open, accessible, and not bounded by a wall. It could be fixed, portable, small, or as big as you like.

Kitchen islands are popular features that many homeowners want to have in their houses. Whether for a remodelled or new kitchen, a kitchen island can make your space more enjoyable and functional.

However, choosing the right kitchen island can take time because of the many available market options. The most common choices are the mobile or portable kitchen island and a permanent island fitted with several utilities. What's important is that you get a kitchen island appropriate for your needs and make sure that it's placed in a spot that would make it fully functional.

There are certain factors you need to consider when choosing a kitchen island. Here are a few things you should know.

Shape and Size

Kitchen islands can make your kitchen efficient and functional. Having an area where you can prepare your food could also serve as additional storage space. However, a kitchen island could also be an obstacle if it's too small, too big, or in the wrong shape.

There's no standard guideline for the size and shape of the kitchen island. A kitchen island that's too small will be rendered unusable, but if it's too big, it could significantly slow down your kitchen's workflow.

Utilities

It would be best if you also considered your kitchen island's purpose. A kitchen island could be a table and so much more. It could be fitted with certain features depending on your needs. You can add wheels to it to store and move it easily. It may have electrical wiring and plumbing to add a microwave or sink. You should know what your needs are in the kitchen and what function and purpose you want your kitchen to serve so you can choose the appropriate island.

Style

Of course, you also need to think about the style, which should fit the design of your entire kitchen. When it comes to shape, it can also affect the aesthetics of your kitchen island. You can choose from different materials, from granite to wood.

Space

A kitchen island won't be beneficial but will become detrimental if placed in an area without enough room to move around. Having at least 48 inches of free space on each side of the kitchen island is best. With this, the kitchen won't be too crowded, and there will be enough space for everyone who wants to help out in the kitchen.

Chairs

You can also add matching chairs to your kitchen island if you want to use them as an informal space for dining, office work, school work, and more. The chairs' style will depend on your kitchen island's overall style. The width should be at least 24 inches per individual, ensuring enough clearance between your knees and the bottom of the island counter.

Open or Closed

An open kitchen island is cheaper, and you also use it to display your kitchenware and other stuff. It also looks uncluttered. However, a closed kitchen island works well if you have a lot of things in the kitchen that you want to hide. Of course, arrange them well, so you're not just hiding your clutter.

There are common factors you need to consider when designing your kitchen island. Be sure to do your research well to make a well-informed decision. 

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Kitchen cabinets are a mainstay in all kitchens, the furniture best suited for storing items and keeping your countertops free of clutter and looking good. Organising the available kitchen space comes with its challenges, so you need to think ahead to avoid creating a mess. Get more info at K&I Kitchens!

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Save Space in a Small Kitchen with These Ideas

There is nothing more annoying than a kitchen that feels cluttered and hard to clean. It should be the place where you can cook a great meal and unwind after a tiresome day at work. It shouldn’t look like a mess. This is especially important for smaller sized kitchens. If your small kitchen is missing enough counter space and storage, then the following ideas will give you a chance to use every bit of space more efficiently.

When it comes down to preparing storage space, you can look for stainless steel kitchen furniture designed to hang on the walls to maximise your storage space. Look for pieces with shelves and rails, as well as a magnetic knife rack if you want to free up space and navigate your kitchen by keeping your dishes, utensils and cookware close by.

Make Use of Your Fridge Space

Now, what do we mean by that? If you have some space around the fridge, somewhere between the wall and the appliance in a small kitchen, then you can use a hidden DIY rolling pantry. This may be the perfect approach to store your canned goods, as well as any nonperishables in a way that keeps them out of the way. This will also allow you to keep them within arm’s reach when you need them.

Using a Double Duty Kitchen Backsplash

Stainless steel pegboard backsplashes are a great way to have a double duty approach toward your kitchen walls. It will protect the area from splatters and spills, while at the same time giving you a chance to keep your kitchenware on hand and nearby. The colour depends on you, but in the end, you can either make one yourself or look for one in stores for an easier solution.

Folding Kitchen Table for More Counter Space

Folding tables can give you a place to prepare your food and to eat it without taking up much of your valuable floor space. You can tuck the table away when you’re done prepping your food, giving the kitchen a more spacious look.

Utilising Untapped Space in Small Kitchens

You can keep your kitchen clutter-free by using a few clever tricks, such as toe kick drawers. You can keep those under the kitchen base cabinets, something not commonly seen in most kitchens. That space can be retrofitted for toe kick drawers, maximising your available space even more than before. You can also use a curtain rod, something that gives you an additional bit of storage for your utensils. A pot rack conveniently located around your oven space is also something else that improves your available space.

Cutting Board Over the Sink

Although a kitchen island may create more counter space in your small kitchen, you can still use the same approach if you use an over-the-sink cutting board. It allows you to rinse your produce before chopping it up and to wash the board with ease soon after.

Creating Kitchen Spaces in Nearby Rooms

If you lack enough storage space for your small kitchen, then you can use a closet or a nook located inside a nearby room. Recessed spaces can be used to keep your kitchen supplies, cutlery and more, as well as any nonperishables. A simple curtain can hide them out of sight, so the room decor won’t be disturbed. 

Use Your Kitchen Corners

Corner spaces are often underestimated in a lot of kitchens. When you need to make sure every bit of your small kitchen works to your advantage, then you can use the corners for inventive shelving that repurposes these ignored places and gives them new life.

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K&I Kitchens

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