If you are planning and designing a new kitchen then it’s a great opportunity to get the kitchen of your dreams. Don’t miss a trick – this is your chance to have a kitchen that you will be super-proud of for many years to come, and if you forget something important you may find yourself regretting it in the future. If you’re going to do a job, do it properly, and if that means raising your budget a little to achieve it, then so be it.
In the world of kitchen design there is one thing that people hanker after – a kitchen island. They are such a great idea – a perfect workspace that is easy to keep clean and tidy, providing valuable storage space underneath. Some even have a couple of hobs installed. They can double as a breakfast bar and are the perfect place to have your tea, coffee and cereal first thing in the morning – what a way to start the day! There are three main types of island – we’ll tell you a little more about them here to help you make your choice:
Once it is installed, a built-in kitchen island is there to stay. It’s a permanent feature and one that will require you to dig up part of your kitchen floor to install. In-built islands can be fully customised so you can choose exactly the height, width and depth, as well as which features you would like, for example a space for the dishwasher or a couple of hobs. They are available in a variety of materials such as stainless steel, wood, stone or tile. If you have a set idea about what you want, then a built-in island is your solution as it can be perfectly tailored to meet your requirements.
If you’re not quite ready to commit to an in-built kitchen island, then a kitchen cart may be for you. These are islands with wheels that can be wheeled away when you don’t want to use them. They too are available in a variety of styles, colours, materials and designs, and of course they won’t cause the disruption that having an in-built island fitted would cause. The benefit of the kitchen cart is that it can be moved around the house and used for other purposes too – and you don’t lose any floor space permanently.
Butchers have used butcher blocks for years. They are available either on wheels or as an in-built fixture, but either way, the distinguishing feature is that the surface is made from a really hard wood that is protected and hard to scratch. It’s easy to clean and there is a large surface area for working on. If you do a lot of chopping and preparing of food then it’s a great solution.
No matter which type of island you go for, a kitchen island will add so much to your home. You’ll have extra space to eat, store and prepare food, and they look really stylish! So if you are dreaming up your perfect kitchen right now, don’t forget to include your treasure island!