In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the possible benefits of utilizing a kitchen island as part of your kitchen remodel. Islands have become much more popular in modern kitchens over the last couple decades, with many possible upsides — but at the same time, they aren’t necessarily for everyone or every kitchen space.
At Ideal Kitchen & Bath, we’re here to help our Orem clients with a huge range of kitchen remodeling needs, with several different styles or approaches used depending on your preferences. While part one of our series went over the pros of kitchen islands, today’s part two will focus on some of the reasons why certain folks involved in kitchen remodels may actually want to avoid them and go in a different direction.
Possible Space Restrictions
If you’re working in a tighter space to begin with, a kitchen island may add unnecessary complications, or simply not be possible at all. Whether it’s due to limited floor space or a reduced amount of counter space that you have available already, an island can easily eat up valuable real estate in your kitchen and limit the amount of flexibility that you have. If you’ve got a big enough space, an island can be a great asset — but if you’re working with more restrictive limitations, it may not make sense in your particular situation.
More Complexity
A kitchen island also introduces more complexity into the equation than some other remodeling options. In addition to having to work around an island that may be in place or needs construction, you’ve also got to think about potential electrical or plumbing needs, which can add a significant amount of time and expense to the process.
Increased Maintenance
Due to their additional complexity and the fact that they tend to see more traffic than other areas of the kitchen, kitchen islands can also be more difficult to keep clean and in good condition. You may need to put in more work to keep an island looking its best, and if something does go wrong, it can be more expensive or difficult to fix than with other areas of the kitchen.
Possible Cost Issues
In other cases, cost may be the primary concern when it comes to whether or not a kitchen island makes sense. Not only is the initial construction generally more expensive than other types of remodeling, but you also need to factor in potential costs for things like plumbing and electrical work that may be necessary. If you’re working with a limited budget, an island may simply not be right for you at this time.
All that being said, a kitchen island is still a great option for many homeowners, and can provide significant benefits as part of a remodel. If you’re looking for professional help making this decision, or to learn about any of our kitchen or bathroom remodeling services for Orem clients, speak to the pros at Ideal Kitchen & Bath today.
