Ask any home cook what kitchen feature they most covet, and chances are they'll say a kitchen island . Countertops are all good and well, but nothing beats the satisfaction of having all that additional space to prep and cook your meals. Although there are many types of kitchen islands , not all of them are created equally.
For instance, small kitchen islands are perfectly novel, but how can you be expected to balance all your ingredients, kitchen tools, and a glass of Pinot Grigio on a tiny worktop? Sometimes, only a purpose-built kitchen island will do. So, we asked kitchen designers to share their design secrets for getting this important feature right. Not sure where to begin when planning a cook's kitchen island? Uncertain about whether you want a sink or a stovetop to take center stage? We have the answers to your burning questions below.
The first step in planning a kitchen island is to assess your available space and measure your kitchen to ensure the island will fit comfortably. 'As a general (but loose) rule of thumb, when planning the kitchen island it’s best to map it out based on the idea of half width to length,' explains Al Bruce, Founder of Olive & Barr . 'Rather than restricting yourself to specific measurements, think about proportions rather than size.
This rule prevents the kitchen from feeling too long and skinny or wide and square.' For a cooks' kitchen island you'll need to consider your appliances – such as the oven, fridge or dishwasher – and wh.