Have you ever wondered why so many homes don’t have kitchen island units? If a home (especially the kitchen) isn’t well planned, chances are there isn’t room for the kitchen island. Some people just choose to do without it, but it’s probably the only way to accentuate a kitchen. It is such a beautiful piece of furniture that it would be perfect in any home if you knew how to get the most out of it. Here are 4 ways on how you can do just that.
1. Think about what you are using it for.
Kitchen furniture is more than just tables to prepare a meal. Using a basic unit (kitchen island minus the appliances), you can place stools along the edge for an informal gathering. Or if you want to show off your culinary skills, then you’ll probably want to place a center-island cooktop or oven in front of your audience. If you want a more traditional dining room, you can complement your kitchen island with a low table at one end.
2. Think about space.
If you are building a new home, fitting a kitchen island will be easy. However, if you’re renovating your home and putting in a kitchen island for the first time, you’ll need to make sure electricity, gas, and water run under the floor. You also need to free up about 1 meter of space (around the island) to be able to open and close the cabinets. The great thing about this is that there are so many types of kitchen island units you can choose from, in different colors and sizes, so you’ll find one to suit the space you have.
3. Think about the style.
Most kitchen cabinets are rectangular but there are new designs that create different effects for your home. For example, it can be L-shaped with countertops set at different heights. One may already be an eating area, while another may be made for cooking, washing dishes. For houses with limited space, homeowners may choose to use a curved unit. Of course, when you are designing the kitchen, you can use an island that is the same color as the rest of the kitchen, or you can use a contrasting color to make it stand out.
4. Use lighting appropriately.
Now the lighting is more than functional, it is also decorative. Of course, since the kitchen is a work area, you’ll want to have adequate lights on your counter to prevent accidents. Then you can use track lights to line the kitchen ceiling to illuminate it. And if you want to create a relaxed atmosphere, you can add a pendant light just above the kitchen island.
There are so many things you can do to get the most out of kitchen island units. Of course, the first step to success is first knowing what you want so that you can implement it once you’ve decided to renovate your home.