Kitchen Islands That Please the Eye and The Chef

Installing kitchen islands is a popular way of making kitchens more functional. These islands add more storage areas and counter spaces to prepare, cook, and even eat meals. Not only that, but they also boost the aesthetic value of this part of your home. However, not all kitchen peninsula ideas can be successfully turned into reality. 

Because kitchen islands are typically the focal point of kitchens, they should be well-designed and optimally incorporated into your layout. Various factors also affect their size and shape — from how busy and spacious your kitchen is to how many you are in the household. 

Materials, island height, and other features are also key considerations. But to help you out, we’re listing a few of the top kitchen island features that you should consider. When executed right, all of these features can please the ordinary eye and even the chef in your home. 

Base cabinet. This is one of the most basic elements of your kitchen island design. The anatomy of a base cabinet is comprised of the framework, any electrical or plumbing components, the actual cabinetry and countertop material. To this base cabinet structure, you can design in a seating area, a handwashing station, some small appliance storage and even a wine chiller.

If you’re looking for kitchen island designs with seating and you have a huge amount of available space, in-kitchen dining can be ideal for you. It’s a built-in island that can host 2-4 stools for countertop dining. Depending on how spacious your kitchen is, you can add a couple more seats so you can do away with a separate table for your dining pleasure. 

U-shaped island. A busy kitchen requires ample preparation space. This kitchen island type provides you with just that. Because of the extra counter space it offers, you can also add some countertop appliances to make it more functional. It also provides more storage space. However, because it takes up space, this island is generally recommended for a kitchen that is already large and airy in the first place. A smaller kitchen can be designed in a U shape but probably not include an island. Perhaps some kitchen peninsula ideas would work in your smaller kitchen,

L-shaped island. If you want to have a unique island while addressing limited kitchen space, one of your options is going for an L-shaped one kitchen island with stools. Though it’s less bulky than U-shaped islands, it can still provide ample counter and storage space. 

Looking for a unique kitchen island design? Perhaps a crescent shaped kitchen island is right up your alley. A departure from the common shape of an island, this is ideal if you wish to have bar-style seating in your kitchen. Compared with the two previously mentioned island shapes, this provides more room to maneuver and go around your kitchen. 

Double-tiered island. How about a double island kitchen layout? This type of island is recommended for home cooks who want to have separate counter space for cooking and preparing, and another one for dining. If you’re fond of hosting parties and welcoming guests into your home, this is the most suitable layout for you.

Kitchen Designs That Bring Families Together

Sometimes it seems that the world is conspiring to draw the members of your family away in all different directions just as you're trying to bring them together. One way that you can help encourage your family to gather together without resorting to nagging and cajoling them is with a redesign of your kitchen. The more comfortable and inviting it is, the more likely your family will be to want to hang around rather than disappearing off into their own corners of the house.

1. Comfortable Seating

Kitchen chairs have traditionally been wooden, straight-backed and not very inviting. It is understandable that your family may not want to linger long in the kitchen when there is more comfortable seating available elsewhere in the home. You can change that with the addition of cushioned bar stools, comfy seating around the kitchen table, or even a interactive video corner with seating.

2. Counter Space

The more counter space you have available, the more room there is for your family members to gather together and spread out, and the more room you have to perform your meal preparations. There are a number of ways that you can increase and maximize counter space in your kitchen, even if it is small:

• Increase the depth of your work spaces, if possible.

• Extend cabinet height to the ceiling for more storage space.

• Incorporate a kitchen island.

Kitchen islands are an increasingly common feature of contemporary kitchens because they can accomplish so much for you. Not only do you increase your available work space, but kitchen island designs with stools also provide additional spots to sit. If your kitchen is particularly large, an island can help break up the space, and the extra seating provides a place for the kids to gather even when they're involved in their own separate activities, like homework or screen time.

3. Natural Elements

Natural elements like plants, butterflies in a cool habitat just outside, grapevines, or landscape art not only make your kitchen more inviting, they help to encourage creativity in your children. Keep in mind that natural elements can be functional as well as merely decorative. For example, one of the most organic open kitchen shelving ideas involves using reclaimed wood, giving your kitchen an attractively rustic feel. Without sacrificing usefulness or efficiency, natural elements can transform your kitchen from a utilitarian space into a family room.

On your own, it can be difficult to come up with kitchen design ideas that will work with your space. Taking a look at a modern kitchen photo gallery online may help to spark your imagination.

Top 6 Kitchen Design Ideas

In today’s world, your kitchen is the heart of your home. This means you must plan carefully to make sure your kitchen is both conveniently functional and stunningly beautiful. Check out these kitchen design ideas to get inspired!

1. Prioritize Function

Before you get started on completely redesigning your kitchen, make sure you’re putting function first. While having a gorgeous kitchen is important, it needs to be a place you, your family, and your guests can easily navigate. Most importantly, plan your design so you’ll be able to easily move between the fridge, sink, and stove top.

2. Enhance the Surface Space

You can’t ever have too much counter space. Redesign your kitchen with that in mind. Also, choose a surface that’s both visually appealing and easy to use and maintain. However, be aware of the limitations and drawbacks of each counter material. For example, stainless steel may be sleek and easy to clean, but it will accumulate scratches easily. You may love the look of tiles but remember that maintaining the grout can be difficult.

3. Increase Your Storage

The biggest mistake when planning your kitchen is not making sufficient room for storage. Take advantage of all the nooks and crannies in your kitchen. For instance, instead of leaving a dust-collecting gap between your cabinets and the ceiling, put additional overhead cabinets. Consider putting deep drawers that provide easy access to your pots and pans.

4. Design Wide Walkways

Ideally, your paths in your kitchen should be at least 3 feet wide. If you’re going for a larger configuration to accommodate multiple cooks, then they should be 4 feet. When preparing your walkways, adjust your kitchen island designs accordingly.

5. Get Fresh Appliances

You may want to save money by reusing old appliances, but we caution you if they look clearly outdated. You don’t want a sore thumb sticking out in what is otherwise a beautiful kitchen. Get brand new appliances and offset the costs by finding other ways to reduce expenses. For example, you don’t need to spend $100 on drawer handles when traditional kitchen hardware ideas cost less.

6. Don’t Forget the Floor

When you look at a kitchen design photo gallery like this one, you’ll see a lot of cabinets and islands. However, don’t neglect the flooring in your planning process. Consider maintenance, slip-resistance, and porosity. You may love the look of hardwood floors, but they can be slippery and prone to wear & tear near appliances. Hard stone may be a good way to go. Houzz is a great website for kitchen design ideas that won’t break the bank.