A kitchen remodel can be an exciting but overwhelming task. There is a lot to consider. For example, where do you start? Consider starting with improving the functionality of your kitchen…and what’s more functional than a kitchen island?
A custom kitchen island can be used as an extra workspace, cooking station, breakfast bar, beverage center, or the focal point for entertaining. It can be the center of family life, providing a place for your family to gather, eat, and share household memories. Kitchen islands also serve beyond a functional purpose; they can also be a design statement with stylish features ideal for enhancing your room’s appearance.
So what kind of kitchen island works best in your new kitchen? Let’s look at a number of styles that are possible for your remodel:
L-Shaped Island
If you have a large open space in your kitchen and would like to add more storage capacity, workspace, and seating, an L-shaped island may be the right design for you. Their sprawling design ensures there’s plenty of workspace for multiple cooks and surface area for entertaining. This style is also a nice fit if you are looking to add an appliance to your island or achieve bar-style seating.
Outside of function, this unique shape can add a nice design element to act as a focal point of the room. Adding interesting tile or a splash of color to your kitchen island is a fun way to bring function and style together.
Circular Islands
Circular islands are a great choice particularly if you’re looking to add personality to your kitchen layout and expand seating space. Round islands will add an interesting visual appeal and elegance to your kitchen and are a go-to option if you want a unique island design. The design can go full circle or a semi-circle.
This island design is best suited for smaller kitchens and tends to provide the ease of being reachable from all angles. Circular islands incorporate roomy seating areas, usually for table height seating, and are very suitable for entertaining. Everyone sitting around the island is visible and there’s enough room for guests to comfortably eat and strike conversations. And since there are no sharp edges featured in other types of islands, a circular island is less accident prone and can be a great choice if you have active children.
Galley Island
The galley island has a straightforward design and fewer frills. It is typically built to be a workhorse. This style of island fits in just about any kitchen layout, provided there is enough space. Often built in open concept kitchens, galley kitchen islands ensure that your space remains efficient and flows with their streamlined design.
This design provides an extra work area and maximizes storage space due to the lack of curves and corners. Cabinets can be put back to back, making this style a good fit for a kitchen that may be tight on storage. A galley island is simple and efficient, making appliances and stored items easily accessible. The design also supports bar-style seating for entertaining.
Fully Functional Island
The fully functional kitchen island is basically a perimeter counter in the middle of the kitchen and can do everything that the primary countertops do. It is an auxiliary counter space; almost an entire second kitchen. A fully functional island is large, fixed, and has drainage, water, and electrical capabilities. It has ample countertop space that can even house another kitchen sink.
With this design, you can also incorporate appliances into the island to create a functional layout. You can have an additional water source and cooktop, or even a built in wet bar at the center of your kitchen. Do you live in a family of wine connoisseurs? A small wine fridge could make the perfect accessory! Additional appliances can be added on top or built into the structure of the island kitchen
Multi-Level Island
Is a kitchen island for eating or for cooking? A multi-level or double-tiered kitchen island is both. This type of island is ergonomically correct and has two countertop levels, making it a multi-functional piece. Cooking can be done on a lower level and eating on a higher level, acting much like the bar area in restaurants. Because it is often situated between the dining/living room and the kitchen, it also typically serves as a dividing and transition area.
U-Shaped Island
A U-shaped Island lends itself well to a large open kitchen space and is perhaps most accommodating of all kitchen island styles. Both spacious and functional, U-shaped islands give you three walls of cabinetry and a generous amount of workspace, increasing the efficiency of your kitchen. And if your island is big enough, you can add multiple appliances or seating with room to spare. This means that you can prep, cook, eat and clean without ever leaving the island. Great for busy families who are in and out of the kitchen, this space can serve everyone’s needs all at once.
A kitchen island can make a huge difference in how you go about your business in the kitchen. Whether you’re looking to achieve a modern, contemporary, or traditional look with your kitchen renovation, Kingswood Designs will create a functional and spacious kitchen tailored to your needs and lifestyle. We can update your existing space to create more storage and maximize efficiency, or help you design a totally new space. Contact us today to learn more!
