A kitchen island is a big investment and you want to be sure that you're getting it right. So what are the main things that you should keep in mind when designing your kitchen island? In this article, we run through some basic steps to take that will make sure you come out when a renovation you can be proud of.

What Function is Best?

Kitchen islands can be used for a number of different purposes and the way you design your island renovation will depend on this.

Many people want to use their island as a cooking station. This can be a bit tricky, as it necessitates the installation of an overhead hood which can take away the steam - if your cooking equipment is next to an outside window, this task is much easier. You'll also need heat-proof countertops, and if you want gas you'll need pipelines running into the centre of your kitchen.

If you're using your kitchen island for food preparation, things become a little easier. You'll need good task lighting to make sure you can carry out your slicing and dicing in a safe and convenient way. Incorporate the kitchen island into your work triangle and make sure the refrigerator and bin are nearby.

A third option is to situate a sink in your kitchen island and turn it into a cleanup station. In that case you'll need to run your plumbing into the centre of the room, which can be an expensive option. Room for a dishwasher and bins of various kinds are also a good idea in a kitchen island cleanup station.

Kitchen Island Storage

The type of storage you have will depend on the function of your kitchen island. But regardless, extra storage is one of the best things about having a kitchen island in your home. On the side of the island that faces out of the working area, try putting on glass doors and using shallow cabinets to display some of your treasured kitchen objects. On the working side, you could store plates, pots, cutting boards, cleaning products or anything else associated with your island's primary function.

Kitchen Island Height

Consider getting a dual-height island if you want to hide dirty dishes and other objects from people outside of the working area. This can also help create an informal breakfast bar. The height of your counter will determine the type of seating that needs to be purchased.