Benefits of Installing a Kitchen Island During a Renovation
If you're remodelling your kitchen, you may wonder whether to include an island. To help you decide, here are some benefits they provide.
Flexibility
A kitchen island offers flexibility as it can be built with a range of features. For example, you could construct an overhang and place seats around the island benchtop, making it a social hub. You can also customise an island in other ways. One option is an island sink or stovetop, which will help you create an efficient work triangle between the fridge, sink, and stovetop. You can also build shelves or a wine rack on the island to suit your needs.
Design Alternatives
A kitchen island offers many design alternatives. For example, you could install a striking granite countertop on the island, making it a focal point. To balance the room's design so it's not overwhelming, you could then fit a subtler benchtop in the rest of the kitchen. Similarly, you could install island cupboards in a bold colour, such as pink or orange, which may be too much for all the cabinetry.
Visual contrast can make a kitchen more appealing even if all the hues are relatively subdued. For instance, navy cabinets on the island will nicely contrast against light grey cabinets on the wall cupboards. Because the island is visually separate, it won't appear odd for it to be a unique colour. Another possibility is to handcraft the island with repurposed timber for a rustic look.
Storage and Benchtop Area
An island provides additional storage and benchtop area, adding to a kitchen's functionality. You can spread out your food as you prepare it on the countertop and not have to crowd everything together. If you enjoy baking, you could install marble on the island benchtop, which will help to keep pastry cool while it's kneaded.
An island also offers extra cupboard space, which you can organise according to the layout. For example, if the island has a sink, fit a cupboard for the rubbish bin nearby. Ample cabinets also allow you to space your storage so that it's not overloaded. You may choose to fit cupboards on one side of an island to keep dinnerware and glasses within easy reach of the dining table. Bear in mind that you may need to extend plumbing pipes and electrical wires to the island, depending on how you set it up. So consider this during your kitchen renovations when you're planning what to include.
For more information about kitchen renovations, contact a local contractor.
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