How often have you imagined adding a kitchen island to your home?
Explore in this article all the benefits a kitchen island can bring: more space, functionality, aesthetics, and a gathering spot for family and friends.
Discover whether a kitchen island is the missing piece in your kitchen, and get ready to renew the heart of the home.
5 Reasons to have an island in the kitchen
1. More workspace and storage
An island serves as an extension of your worktop, giving you more space for:
• Storage – additional drawers, shelves or cabinets
• Meal preparation
• Housing appliances
2. Versatility
The second benefit of integrating an island is that it works as a multifunctional area. In addition to increasing the space available for meal prep, it can serve as a bar, a small dining area, or even a study space.
This part of the kitchen can be where your children do their homework or where you can quickly finish a work task while preparing a meal.
3. More space for interaction
Around an island, there is room for various activities and interactions. One of the key benefits of having one is the ability to gather family and entertain friends while you cook.
4. Better circulation
A well-positioned island improves circulation in the kitchen, making it easier to move between different areas, such as the stove, sink, and fridge.
If you have an open-plan space, it helps visually divide and organise the kitchen/living area.
5. Property value boost
Finally, having an island increases the value of your kitchen and home due to its highly sought-after functional features.
Additionally, it adds a touch of modernity and elegance, allowing for decorative elements that make it the focal point of your kitchen.
To fully maximise the functionality of a kitchen island, what do you need to consider during its construction? Or how can you reorganise an existing island?
Here are the answers to the 3 most common questions.
1. What is the right size for a kitchen island?
It is crucial to decide on the size of the island based on the space available in your kitchen or open-plan area.
Regardless of its size, always ensure there is enough room for people to move around comfortably and space for appliances, drawers, or cupboard doors to open.
We recommend leaving at least 90cm free in all directions.
2. Where should a kitchen island be placed?
• If your kitchen is U-shaped, the island should go in the centre.
• If your kitchen is a long line, the island should face the worktop/cupboard area.
• If your kitchen is L-shaped, the island will help define the space between the open kitchen and the living area.
• If your island has wheels, you can adjust its position based on your needs.
An island might not be suitable in a small or differently configured kitchen. The main reason is that circulation space is crucial to deciding whether a kitchen island is right for you.
3. Should the sink go on the island?
Kitchen islands often include various appliances, from sinks to dishwashers, microwaves, hobs, ovens, and more. It all depends on your kitchen routines and the main reason for installing the island.
If the goal is to enhance family interaction, the island should at least include the sink.
You have probably noticed that the sink is the central hub of activity in the kitchen. Adding it to the island will enhance interaction with your children, who might be doing homework while you work.
So yes, you should consider placing the sink on the island.
We recommend doing so according to the Work Triangle Principle, ensuring that the stove, sink, and fridge are 1.2 and 2.7 metres apart.
RODI offers a wide range of sinks ideal for island integration, including:
Invictus | Invisible 70 | Evo 105 | Una 75 | Composite 50 Nero | Urban 86 | Box Lux 50 Grey | Box Line 74
Before including equipment and electrical appliances in kitchen islands, there are several points to consider. Therefore, always ask for details and information from the respective retailers.
In short
Having a kitchen island is increasingly worth considering. Kitchens are becoming more social spaces, as evidenced by the growing trend of open-plan layouts that connect the kitchen and living room.
It is crucial to think in detail about the equipment, electrical appliances, decor, the kitchen’s layout and how all these elements can interconnect.
This way, you can enjoy a fully multifunctional and aesthetically impressive kitchen.
Get inspired by this and other projects from Querido, Mudei a Casa!, with which we’ve been a proud partner since 2018!
