1681 Home Ideas With Island
With open plan living soaring with popularity in the past few decades, the humble island too has enjoyed the growing spotlight. This hardworking member of the kitchen has provided counter space and seating spots, while doubling up as a zoning mechanism to delineate parts of open plan areas, such as the kitchen and family rooms. Given the accompanying trend of entertaining – whether in large houses or small apartments, it looks like the kitchen island is here to stay.
The island evolved from a basic need for space to prepare, cook and serve food, and it will be function that remains at the heart of what works for your lifestyle. Do you need your island to solve some of your storage woes? Then consider large, deep drawers to store bulky culinary items or running rails to hang towels or cooking items. Kids asking for homework help while you’re cooking? Think about different island heights, one suitable for younger children and which could act as a homework station when they are not eating or helping with the food prep.
The magic of an island is that it is such an adaptable piece of furniture. You could add a second sink, a sink-and-cooktop combination, shelves, storage cabinets, even a computer table and charging station. What you will need at the island will depend on how your workflow triangle of sink, range and refrigerator is being laid out. If you already have a range located on one side of the kitchen, then it’s likely that the island should have a sink, and vice versa.
Finally, think outside the conventional rectangular shape. Islands don’t have to be a standard rectangular shape. Having it curved on one end would mean a friendlier seating arrangement as people sit at an angle facing one another, rather than facing the cook. Get creative by repurposing antique chests or even small boats if you have a beach theme going on in the kitchen. For a really eye-catching feature, how about incorporating a fish tank on one side of the island?