These days it seems that kitchen islands are everywhere. The kitchen islands are the new hip and happening thing in the design world. You see them all over the place, on home improvement shows, real estate commercials and now you can even find them for your apartment kitchen renovation. So is kitchen islands really a fad or what?
Kitchen islands are very useful for any kitchen. If you have a small kitchen space, a kitchen island can make that room feel bigger. With an island sitting in the corner instead of a full counter, you get more counter space to work with. You can add storage in the form of cabinets or drawers or you can just leave it plain with just a sink and counter.
But let’s face it… even with the islands in full swing, they still aren’t popular with designers. Why is this? It’s pretty simple actually. In most cases, if you go into a kitchen design class these days, you will learn that islands are considered “showroom” furniture, or at best a nice looking piece of furniture that is there to serve its purpose: to showcase a designer’s talents.
It’s easy to understand why designers don’t like islands. When you walk into a kitchen with a pretty island sitting there, it just doesn’t scream “designer”. Now I’m not saying that every designer doesn’t have this kind of taste. After all, we all like to be surrounded by well-designed things. But when you’re just starting out in the kitchen decorating business, I would submit to you that an island is simply too much.
This is a hard pill to swallow for some people who are thinking of starting their own kitchen design business, or for people who simply love islands. They may love the idea that they can showcase their design prowess in this one area of their home. But for others, having an island in the middle of their kitchen isn’t going to help you get your point across to the client any better. And if you’re stuck in the middle, what is the point of displaying your decorating skills at all? Isn’t that supposed to be your focus point anyway?
Don’t misunderstand me. If you have an eye for design, and you think an island is a great addition to your kitchen, that’s all fine. But if you are doing your decorating job for the first time, or if you haven’t decorated a kitchen before, chances are you are already over your head.
Don’t worry! Just because you’re decorating your first kitchen doesn’t mean you have to become a decorating expert overnight. Sure, it would help, but wouldn’t it be more beneficial to first nail down the function of your island? Once you know what function it serves, then you can use it to make other arrangements that compliment its function. For example, if you are decorating a kitchen with a bar, then your island may very well be used as a serving vessel. This is something you will want to consider when you are putting together your overall design plan.
Are kitchen islands going out of style? Perhaps, but if you keep things simple and add functionality to your kitchen design, you’ll find that your kitchen islands go along way. Consider them for their functionality as well as for their visual appeal, and you’ll find that you don’t have to get rid of them altogether!
The trend toward kitchen islands may be due to the growing trend toward kitchen interiors that incorporate “less is more” motifs. While the trend itself isn’t new, the infusion of trendy kitchen design ideals into many of today’s kitchen designs has certainly helped fuel the popularity of the kitchen island. If you like the idea of integrating an island into your kitchen design but are hesitant because you think they are too flashy or expensive for your budget, consider making them part of an overall theme. Throw in some wood accents, some metal appliances, and voila – you’ve got the makings of a beautiful kitchen island! Remember though, that while kitchen islands can be quite beautiful, they should never become the main focal point of your space!
In terms of the function, kitchen islands serve many purposes. In the kitchen, they can provide extra counter space, serving space for food preparation, and storage for appliances and pots and pans. When it comes to function, an island can take the place of several cabinets, serving as a space saving, flexible addition to your kitchen layout. They also offer more storage capacity than a typical kitchen cabinet, enabling you to store many of the items you typically bring to the kitchen such as condiments, spices, sugar, flour, etc… An added bonus is that, because an island is generally made out of either wood or metal, they can match the rest of your kitchen better than a cabinet would.
If you’re ready to take your kitchen design to the next level, kitchen islands can be an easy way to achieve the look you want. But just because they’re stylish and modern doesn’t mean they have to be bland or boring! In fact, by choosing one that complements your overall kitchen design from top to bottom, your island can quickly become the central point of the room. Just make sure you get enough countertop area, choose a sturdy, attractive material, and remember to pick an island design that’s in keeping with your general kitchen style!