An Island For All Reasons

As a trend, the kitchen island has become a well-established staple of today’s luxury kitchen. And the good news is you don’t even have to have an extraordinarily large space to include an island in your kitchen design plans. Even better, there is more than one way to integrate the perfect island into your kitchen.

Put it on wheels. If an island would be helpful some of the time, consider asking your designer to give you a portable piece that will be there when you need it.

Take a mix and match approach. The island doesn’t have to be an identical match with the main cabinets. Using it as a design counterpoint, allows you to bring a different material, texture or style into your kitchen. Think of the way an armoire can be a dramatic showpiece when it contrasts with the other décor in a room.

Use your island to add a spot of color. The backsplash doesn’t have to provide the only accent. A brightly colored island can spice up a neutral design scheme.

In the luxury kitchen shown here, the island creates a working “galley” area that enables guests to stay close without being underfoot. The brightly colored cabinets flanking the island contrast nicely with the other neutral cabinets, floor and walls. Notice, too, how the cook top is set below u-shaped countertop to create a separate entertaining/eating area. 

An island that’s not. Create a kitchen “peninsula” if a central island isn’t the right fit for your kitchen.

Cooking and cleaning and storage areas happily combine in a sleek “pseudo-island” that divides the room and makes it easy for several cooks to share in the duties.

Make mine petite. A smaller, special-use island can add that needed extra food preparation space without overwhelming the room.

In this airy open kitchen, an eat-in counter becomes the room divider while a small central island gives the cook a convenient preparation station.