Whatever the shape, color or style, the island is the focal point of today’s kitchen.
The kitchen island is so many things to so many people. A kitchen island is more than just an additional work space, much more. Breakfast or snack bar, cleaning center, kitchen station, food preparation center, beverage center, baking center; you name it, the kitchen island can handle it. They improve efficiency in the kitchen and when guests are around they can do double duty as a buffet table or even a wet bar. Sometimes the island serves as a very useful room divider in an open plan kitchen/family space. All but the smallest kitchens can be equipped with a kitchen island. Small kitchens can improve efficiency with a small mobile island on wheels. You can add work space near the sink to prepare food and then simply move it to the stove or stove for cooking. Note, however, that if the island is too small, it will rarely be used. Islands can be used with most kitchen shapes, particularly L-shaped or U-shaped.
If wide enough, an island can greatly enhance the function of a galley kitchen (two walls facing each other). They can also work well in square kitchens. Islands can make or break the traffic pattern in a kitchen. They can shorten the distance between workstations, but if not planned well, they can also increase the distance between workstations. Often, if the kitchen is large enough, two islands can work better than a single large one. Two islands can improve traffic flow and provide extra workspace right where it’s needed. In the beginning, the islands were usually square or rectangular. But today we see islands in many shapes, such as T-shaped, L-shaped, U-shaped, even Z-shaped, as well as oval, round and octagon shapes. Islands can be just as beautiful as fine furniture with turned legs and/or feet, carvings, moldings, corbels, corbels, and gracefully curved countertops with graceful edges. They may contain illuminated display space for a prized collection of china, crystal, or teapots or cookbook shelves, perhaps with a beadboard backing.
Since appliances like refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, warming drawers, and even microwaves can be sequestered in drawers, behind doors or wood paneling to match your cabinets, we never have to compromise beauty for functionality. Many islands serve more than one function and may have more than one counter surface. Perhaps a butcher block in an area for food preparation and a solid surface or granite for the kitchen or dining area for easy cleanup. Many people who like to bake have a piece of marble placed on the countertop of the island to roll out cookie dough or pie crusts. The island should always blend in with the style of the kitchen. A very contemporary island in a country-style kitchen is out of place. The color or finishes, however, do not have to be the same. Painted islands with wood-finish cabinets (or vice versa) in the rest of the kitchen are a very popular look and add interest.
Pots and pans can be stored in a deep drawer under the island stove or, if your cookware is too cute to hide, hang it above the island on a pot rack. These hangers are very attractive and there are many styles available. Some have built-in island lighting. Who says islands can’t have cabinets on top? Two-way cabinets, possibly with glass doors and a dish rack between them, keep breakfast plates, glasses, and cups close at hand. A built-in microwave, refrigerator drawers for juice, milk and fruit, cabinets below for cereal, toaster and other breakfast essentials, and counter stools feed them and get them to school and work. 1st Choice Cabinets has been serving the Salt Lake Valley for over 10 years with beautiful, high-quality, well-built cabinets.