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 extra work space - much more.
Breakfast or snack bar, cleanup center, cooking station, food prep center, beverage center, bake center; you name it, the kitchen island can handle it.
They improve efficiency in the kitchen and when entertaining 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 kitchen/family space.
All but the smallest of kitchens can be outfitted with a kitchen island.
Small kitchens can enhance efficiency with a small moveable island with wheels.
It can add workspace near the sink for preparing food prep, and then simply move it to the range or cooktop to cook.
Keep in mind, however, that if the island is too small it may seldom be used.
Islands can be used with most kitchen shapes particularly L-shaped or U-shaped.
If wide enough, an island can greatly improve function of a galley kitchen (two walls facing each other.
) They can work well in square kitchens as well.
Islands can make or break the traffic pattern in a kitchen.
They can shorten the distance between work stations, but if not planned well, they can also increase the distance between work stations.
Often, if the kitchen is large enough two islands can work better than just one large one.
Two islands can improve traffic flow and provide extra work space right where needed.
In the beginning, 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.
Islands can be as beautiful as fine furniture with turned legs and/or feet, carving, moldings', corbels, brackets, and gracefully curved countertops with elegant edging.
They can contain lighted display space for a prized china, crystal or teapot collection or shelves for cookbooks perhaps with bead board backing.
Since appliances such as refrigeration, ovens, dishwashers, warming drawers, even microwaves can be sequestered in drawers, behind doors or wood panels that match your cabinetry, we never have to give up beauty for function.
Many islands serve more than one function and can have more than one countertop surface.
Maybe butcher block in one area for food prep, and solid surface or granite for the cooking or eating area for easy cleanup.
Many people who like to bake have a piece of marble set into the island countertop for rolling 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 just out of place.
Color or finishes, however, do not have to be the same.
Painted islands with wood finish cabinetry (or vice versa) in the rest of the kitchen is a very popular look and adds interest.
Pots and pans can be stored in a deep drawer under the island cooktop or if your cookware is just too nice to hide hang it over the island on a pot hanger.
These hangers are very attractive and many styles are available.
Some have island lighting built right in.
Who says islands can't have cabinets above? Two-way cabinets, possibly with glass doors and a plate rack between keeps breakfast dishes, glasses and cups handy.
A built-in microwave, refrigerator drawers for juice, milk and fruit, cabinets below for cereal, toaster, and other breakfast essentials and counter stools get them fed and off to school and work.
1st Choice Cabinets has been serving the Salt Lake Valley for over 10 years with beautiful, high quality, well-built cabinetry.
The kitchen island is so many things to so many people.
A kitchen island is more than just extra work space - much more.
Breakfast or snack bar, cleanup center, cooking station, food prep center, beverage center, bake center; you name it, the kitchen island can handle it.
They improve efficiency in the kitchen and when entertaining 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 kitchen/family space.
All but the smallest of kitchens can be outfitted with a kitchen island.
Small kitchens can enhance efficiency with a small moveable island with wheels.
It can add workspace near the sink for preparing food prep, and then simply move it to the range or cooktop to cook.
Keep in mind, however, that if the island is too small it may seldom be used.
Islands can be used with most kitchen shapes particularly L-shaped or U-shaped.
If wide enough, an island can greatly improve function of a galley kitchen (two walls facing each other.
) They can work well in square kitchens as well.
Islands can make or break the traffic pattern in a kitchen.
They can shorten the distance between work stations, but if not planned well, they can also increase the distance between work stations.
Often, if the kitchen is large enough two islands can work better than just one large one.
Two islands can improve traffic flow and provide extra work space right where needed.
In the beginning, 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.
Islands can be as beautiful as fine furniture with turned legs and/or feet, carving, moldings', corbels, brackets, and gracefully curved countertops with elegant edging.
They can contain lighted display space for a prized china, crystal or teapot collection or shelves for cookbooks perhaps with bead board backing.
Since appliances such as refrigeration, ovens, dishwashers, warming drawers, even microwaves can be sequestered in drawers, behind doors or wood panels that match your cabinetry, we never have to give up beauty for function.
Many islands serve more than one function and can have more than one countertop surface.
Maybe butcher block in one area for food prep, and solid surface or granite for the cooking or eating area for easy cleanup.
Many people who like to bake have a piece of marble set into the island countertop for rolling 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 just out of place.
Color or finishes, however, do not have to be the same.
Painted islands with wood finish cabinetry (or vice versa) in the rest of the kitchen is a very popular look and adds interest.
Pots and pans can be stored in a deep drawer under the island cooktop or if your cookware is just too nice to hide hang it over the island on a pot hanger.
These hangers are very attractive and many styles are available.
Some have island lighting built right in.
Who says islands can't have cabinets above? Two-way cabinets, possibly with glass doors and a plate rack between keeps breakfast dishes, glasses and cups handy.
A built-in microwave, refrigerator drawers for juice, milk and fruit, cabinets below for cereal, toaster, and other breakfast essentials and counter stools get them fed and off to school and work.
1st Choice Cabinets has been serving the Salt Lake Valley for over 10 years with beautiful, high quality, well-built cabinetry.