There are numerous themes or additions you might be considering for an upcoming kitchen remodel, and one of these for some homeowners is the kitchen island. Islands have grown significantly in popularity over the last couple decades, and they’re often ideal for many new kitchen spaces — at the same time, this isn’t always the case, and there are plenty of kitchens, even modern ones, that don’t involve an island of any kind.
At Ideal Kitchen & Bath, we’re happy to offer the very best kitchen remodeling services around, covering everything from cabinet building and installation through design themes and more. Should an island be part of your remodel? This two-part blog will investigate both sides of this question — today’s part one will look at the typical benefits many homeowners see from installing a kitchen island, while part two will look at some of the possible downsides or reasons why you might go in another direction.
Increased Counter and Cooking Space
One of the single top reasons for installing a kitchen island is the added counter and cooking space it provides. Islands often come with anywhere from two to four times the countertop space of a standard kitchen countertop, and this can be a lifesaver if your current layout is tight or cramped.
This space can also be used for food preparation, baking, or just as an extra work area in general, which can be a real boon if your family likes to cook as a group. In addition, the extra space can make it much easier to move around in the kitchen, especially if you have a lot of people in there at once.
Additional Storage Space
Along with the extra countertop space, most kitchen islands also come with additional storage space in the form of cabinets, drawers, and shelves. This can be a real godsend if your current kitchen is lacking in storage options, as it can give you a place to put everything from pots and pans to Tupperware and spices.
The additional storage space can also come in handy if you like to entertain or if you’re the type of person who likes to cook a lot of food at once. Having all of your ingredients and cooking tools close at hand can make the cooking process a lot easier and more efficient, which is always a good thing.
Seating and Eating Options
On top of all that, many kitchen islands also come with built-in seating and eating options. This can be a great way to add some extra functionality to your kitchen and to make it more versatile, as the island can then be used for everything from dining to homework to crafts.
In addition, the eating space can often be put to use in different ways depending on what you need. For example, if you’re having a large dinner party, the island can easily be turned into an extension of your dining room. Or, if you have kids, the eating space can be used as a homework station or a place for them to eat their meals.
In part two of our series, we’ll go over the possible downsides of islands and why some people decide against including them in their kitchen remodel. For more on this, or to learn about any of our kitchen or bathroom remodeling services, speak to the team at Ideal Kitchen & Bath today.
