Kitchen Island Design: 4 Essential Style Ideas

Remodeling a kitchen is not something that happens every day, so it's important to know what you want when taking on such a big project. An extremely popular addition to many remodeled kitchens is a new island - it's a part of your kitchen that can be tailored to your own interests and style of living. We recently sat down with our friends from Furniture Design Studios in Plainview, New York, for some suggestions on creating the perfect kitchen island for your home.

Kitchen Table

Many of today's modern households completely forgo a kitchen table in favor of an island! It's integrated right into the kitchen, doesn't require any formal settings, and is adjacent to everything you need for a meal. An island is an easy spot for everyone to congregate on those chaotic weekdays for a fast breakfast, a quick dinner, or an evening chat about the goings-on of the day. If this is what you expect your kitchen island's function to be, storing plates, silverware, and napkins in one of its cabinets or shelves is a great way to keep mealtime necessities handy. Adding seating like stools or counter-height chairs on the side farthest away from the appliances will keep those areas uncluttered and easily-passable while cooking. Ensuring there's a TVs within the line of sight isn't a bad idea, either!

Culinary Workspace

The most obvious use for your kitchen island is space for food preparation - having this additional space is a huge help for any cooking projects, especially if you're juggling several recipes at once. The first rule of island construction is to ensure it's at the same height as the rest of your kitchen counter, as this will allow everything to flow smoothly when switching between workspaces. Once height is established, start thinking about the kinds of appliances and cooking tools you may want to include. A cooktop with a vent is a very popular use of island space, and other appliance options include a built-in wall oven, microwave, or warming drawer. A small secondary sink is also a common choice for kitchen islands - it makes things easier for any rinsing, pouring, or draining. Islands are also great for keeping cooking implements easily accessible; shelving for bowls and measuring cups can be added, as well as vertical slots for cookie sheets and cooling racks.

Social Hub

The kitchen seems to be a magnet for socializing during parties and family gatherings, and of course the island is at the center of it all. If you entertain often, you know exactly how much of a hotspot your kitchen is for gathering guests, and you want people to enjoy themselves while still having the space you need to get everything prepared. A kitchen island can make this a lot more manageable! The setup mentioned in the previous section - appliances on one side, seating on the other - is vital to the use of the island as a social hub. You can get your island truly party-ready by adding a beverage center or wine cooler, as well as racks for easily-accessible stemware or beer glasses. A built-in mini fridge is perfect for highly-visible storage of cheese platters, sandwiches, dips and more, and the island's built-in cabinets or shelves can also be used for keeping party snacks like chips or pretzels at the ready.

Computer Desk

The kitchen isn't just a workspace for edible projects; it's a place where reports are written, assignments are worked on, and emails are sent. If you're looking to create a work-ready kitchen island, one popular addition is electrical outlets, including those with built-in USB ports to charge your electronics. Some islands can even be made with a pull-out desk for your own designated workspace away from the main surface. Best of all, if you end up working late and need a pick-me-up, you've got plenty of snack options within easy reach!

About Furniture Design Studios

Furniture Design Studios has been providing custom furniture to hotels, apartments, timeshares, and restaurants for over 30 years. Their product development team is experienced in working with architects and design teams, with careful attention paid to detail, construction, and quality. Their kitchen division works on residential and commercial projects across the country. For more information on Furniture Design Studios, please visit their website at fdstudios.com.