Loved by homeowners and heralded by interior designers everywhere, the kitchen island has quickly become one of the most indispensable features in modern kitchen designs. From a utility standpoint, the benefits of an island are immediate and undeniable but today we want to focus more on the versatility and social significance of a well-placed kitchen island.

Implementing a simple island is a great way to create a gathering place and a central area for your kitchen. If your current design feels too spread out or disconnected from the dining area, then an island could be the perfect solution to bring your family together. Unify your kitchen and everything in it including your pull-down kitchen faucet, farmhouse kitchen sink, cabinets and countertops with an island that welcomes guests and gives you the perfect platform to entertain those closest to you.

Before you start looking at styles be sure to assess the size and location of the space that you’re considering for your new island. A large kitchen layout gives you tons of opportunities to play around with the arrangement of your new island. On the other hand, a smaller kitchen will require a more calculated and succinct decision, so as not to disrupt the flow and functionality of your final design. Another important consideration is plumbing. If you’re planning to install a dishwasher or oven in your new space, then you’re going to need to make sure that your island can accommodate these extra features. There’s nothing wrong with a simple, aesthetically pleasing island but don’t be afraid to implement some useful hardware to make your island more functional. After all, if you decide to use your island for kitchen appliances, then it opens up the rest of the kitchen for a myriad of possibilities.

Seating is another thing to consider when you’re cultivating an island getaway. Tall chairs are always a classy choice but bar stools connote a different aesthetic that could be exactly what your new kitchen is calling for. No matter what style you choose, make sure that your new seating arrangements don’t conflict with any of your previous measurements. Remember that chairs need space to move and you don’t want your guests to feel cloistered or left out.

Another important consideration is the finish of your island. In recent years, the renewed interest in raw and sustainable materials has created a bevy of new opportunities when it comes to choosing the right look for your island. Keeping styles consistent used to be the norm but now more and more homeowners, decorators, architects and interior designers are taking bold chances when it comes to islands. Turn your new island into the centerpiece of your kitchen with a stunning finish featuring multifaceted slabs of marble, granular granites, exotic timbers, burnished metal or a classic piece of mirrored glass. The possibilities are greater than ever, so don’t miss the opportunity to accent your island with an unforgettably big finish.

Texture is everything. Modern kitchen islands aren’t just challenging the functionality and potential of your kitchen, they’re completely reimagining its feel. The renewed interest in raw materials has also sparked an appreciation for the natural finishes that these breathtaking resources embody. Butcher blocks with a natural finish, marble slabs with unpolished veneers — the tactile options have never been more versatile, so be sure to consider implementing this style of finish in your own design.

ISLANDS WITH SINKS

A large drop-in kitchen sink, undermount kitchen sink or flushmount kitchen sink can take up a lot of area in your new island, but it’s a great solution for anyone who’s trying to free up some space in the rest of their kitchen. Not only do you make room for additional cabinetry and storage but you’re also placing the sink in the most accessible location on your floor plan. Don’t be afraid to implement this style into your own design. You’ll be amazed at how this one simple change can open up a room full of possibilities.

PREPPING AND PLANNING

When you begin planning your new island, the first decision you have to make is to ensure that your design has enough space to breathe. Remember that your island needs enough space for you to work around it on all sides. If your home has a single cook, then a gap of 42” should be sufficient between the base cabinets and the islands. However, if your house has more than one cook, then you should install your island at a minimum of 48” inches from any other surface.

We recommend 48” of space between the island and cabinets to maintain a functional layout for your kitchen. This amount of clearance is guaranteed not to disrupt the flow of your kitchen no matter how the space is being used. While not all kitchens can accommodate the additional space that’s recommended, we believe that an island can still be carefully worked into a design if there is at least 36” of space to play with. While 48” is more ideal, we’ve seen plenty of effective designs that have succeeded with less.

The other two areas to consider when placing your island are the amount of space you have allotted on the side of your island for a walkthrough, as well as leaving enough room on one side for chairs and seating. Just remember that your island can be anything that you want it to be. Your design doesn’t have to incorporate everything that we’ve discussed so far in this article. Choose only the options that you really want in order to transform your new island into something truly unique that’s tailor-fit to your personality and your home.

SHAKE THINGS UP WITH COLOR

A shaker-style island brings something colorful and classic to every design. Give your kitchen a country feel with a modern twist when you implement this style of kitchen island. This design features a built-in sink, cupboard storage, a marble top, staging-style shelving and one side dedicated to bar seating. Combine with a few monochromatic accents and a modern range for the perfect mix of classic and contemporary.

BOLD BAR SEATING

New cabinetry is expensive and sure to exceed most budgets for a kitchen renovation. Updating color is a great way to change the style and feel of your kitchen but it’s not always feasible. Luckily, cabinets aren’t the only palette that we can play around with. Choosing bold colors and gilded finishes is a great way to accentuate your new island without having to completely change the framework of your existing design. Try experimenting with different seating options and finishes like matte gold, matte black, stainless steel, chrome and antique rubbed bronze. The perfect seating arrangement could be yours with this subtle but powerful approach.

VERY VERSATILE

An effective island isn’t just a place to showcase the meal that you prepared, it’s a multifunctional surface that serves a variety of purposes. From washing and prepping, to eating and preparing — an island can perform a number of different tasks. Make your life easier by designing a versatile island that caters to your exact wants and needs.

LAVISH LIGHTING

You’ve put all this effort into cultivating the ultimate island getaway, now it’s time to show off your final creation with some lavish lighting. Hanging lamps and chandeliers directly above your new island is a great way to highlight this impressive new addition to your kitchen. And if your island still feels a little less spectacular than desired, you can try to incorporate an extra pop of color by choosing a gold lamp or a fixture with reflective hues and ambiance.

STORING YOUR STORAGE

Everyone loves some additional storage space, especially in the kitchen during the holidays. Clear up some clutter in the rest of your kitchen by designating new space for all of your stuff. Whether you use your new cabinets for everyday essentials or perennial pots and pans is your choice. Just remember that no storage is bad storage.

Thanks for reading along. We hope that this article has given you some clever ideas and creative design solutions for your kitchen. Now, get out there and start planning the island getaway of your dreams.

Visit vigoindustires.com for more inspiration for your kitchen remodel or renovation.