Kitchen island ideas

When it comes to multitasking, kitchen islands are hard to beat. Packing in storage and bonus counter space, kitchen islands improve function and efficiency in the kitchen, adding valuable work space.  Islands can contain a sink, a cooktop, warming drawers, refrigerator drawers, or a dishwasher, an island makes food preparation and cleanup much more convenient and often more social. Add space for counter stools, and you have a spot for breakfast or snacks. Positioned as a room divider, a kitchen island becomes a self-service buffet for a party.


Where a kitchen island works


Islands aren't made to go in every kitchen!  If you have a small kitchen, make sure you're not "squeezing" in the island just for extra counterspace.  Kitchen islands work well in U-shape and L-shape kitchens because they shorten the distance between work centers and direct traffic outside the work core.

The U-shaped kitchen layout is one of the basic kitchen layouts.  It's a useful and versatile layout for a small, medium or large kitchen. A U-shaped kitchen consists of work space on three adjoining walls, two parallel walls perpendicular to a third.

The L-shaped kitchen layout is one of the most popular and versatile kitchen layouts. It consists of work space on two adjoining walls perpendicular to each other. 

Add an eye catching contrasting island

Contrasting islands are in right now.  Different colored islands and even different color cabinets in the perimeter are the new trends.  Make your kitchen island stand out by choosing a wood tone that contrasts with that of your cabinetry. Then tie it all together by trimming the cabinets by using moulding the same color as the island.

This island can resemble a piece of fine furniture. The warm, dark wood contrasts with the white cabinetry, but the traditional style is consistent throughout the room.  See more kitchen island ideas here.

Kitchen Island Design Details

Some kitchen islands are elaborate custom-built pieces of fine cabinetry and include a sink, granite counters, a cooktop, cabinets for storage, a second dishwasher, a warming oven, or a small refrigerator. The sky's the limit if you have room in your kitchen.  You'll see that most kitchen islands are longer and wider than ever before and include architectural details. 

 



Island with "bump out"







Island using a corner post





Island using open shelving



What to look for in a kitchen remodeling company

Remodeling a kitchen is an expensive investment, and choosing the right company is a crucial decision to make!  There are many options out there and it can be overwhelming at first, but hiring the right kitchen design professional to help you decorate or remodel your kitchen can make the process more pleasant and productive - and it will end up saving you money in the end. Choosing the best company for your needs will make it easier to talk about current kitchen issues, the cost of the project, the time frame for completion, and detailed information on product selection.

The following are important factors to consider when choosing a kitchen designer/remodeling company:

Meeting your unique design needs 

Each kitchen is unique, and with that comes unique designs! There are many cabinet lines to choose from.  Do some research into the cabinet lines provided by the remodeling company you have in mind.  Do they offer the finish, glaze, paint that you want?  Does the cabinet line have a door profile you like?  Take a look at your design/storage needs that you want in your new kitchen.  Do the cabinet lines offer solutions to these needs? I found this link useful when looking at cabinet construction basics and a checklist of what to look for.  The following cabinet lines have very user friendly websites:

Decora Cabinets
Diamond Cabinets
Canyon Creek Cabinets
Aristokraft Cabinets

Does the remodeling company have designers on staff?

There are contractors that will do the work for you.  Then there are kitchen/bath designers that do just design.  Finding a company that does it all will save you money and time in the long run.  Designers that have a developed relationship with their sub contractors will offer warranties and experience needed to get the job done right the first time.  Having a kitchen/bathroom designer helping you will give you solutions to your design needs, the ability to come up with your own unique look, share the latest trends with you, and the ability to give you functionality to your kitchen.  Follow this link to learn the 7 reasons why you should hire a company that has a kitchen/bath designer on staff.

Services provided

Choose companies that have everything you need under one roof to remodel your kitchen.  Again, this will save you time and money!  There are companies that have a small showroom which leads you into ordering/buying things that you never get to see in person.  Look for showrooms that have tile, countertops, cabinets, appliances, lighting, plumbing (faucets and sinks), and backsplashes in their showroom.  Check to see if the company is able to order samples for their customers.  Also, check to make sure the company can do more than just kitchens. Do they do bathrooms, mudrooms, entertainment rooms? This way you know the company has the experience and the ability to do creative things to your remodel is available.  The benefit is a company that can offer custom storage solutions that include kitchens, offices, garages, kitchens, utility rooms, pantries, and so on.  The more the company is able to do, the more experienced the designers/project managers are.

Warranties/Contractors

Talk to the company about what warranties they have to offer and what type of contractors they use.  You want a company that will stand by their warranty of product AND installation.  Ask them if their contractors are licensed, how long they have been with the company, and talk to past customers if possible for a reference. Most products have warranties attached to it, but talk to the designer/project manager about warrantying the labor to install the project.  You don't want to have a great kitchen then have a leak/damaged door/broken hinge and then be stuck fixing it yourself.  A good kitchen remodeling company will stand by their warranties or may even offer to go above and beyond the existing warranty.