Installing kitchen islands
added 11/26/2007
Kitchens are no longer what they used to be
even 10 years back. With more disposable incomes and smaller
family sizes, kitchens are becoming the hub where the whole
family pitches in for making a meal. Kitchens become the focal
point especially for holidays and weekends. With kitchen designing
becoming specialized, the kitchen is getting its fair share
of new technology and gadgetry.
Simple & complex kitchen islands
Kitchen islands are becoming more in vogue with the latest
kitchens. Kitchen islands are multiple function areas where
more people can work in the same kitchen without banging into
each other. The simplest kitchen island can be a table with
extendable flaps where cutting and chopping can be done. The
most complex ones will have plumbing and heating installed,
with drainage boards and hobs. Kitchen islands can have the
latest gadgets and all electrical fittings and can even be
multi level.
Amenities in the elaborate kitchen islands
The elaborate kitchen islands can include hot and cold plumbing
along with sink area, cook top, storage cabinets, wine racks,
and storage areas for cookbooks etc. Many amenities to help
the modern day cook. Depending on the size, a large kitchen
can also accommodate multiple kitchen islands.
Find the space for a kitchen island
If you wish to install a kitchen island, then plan ahead.
A kitchen island can’t be just put. You need space around
the island to watch, therefore there should be a walking alleyway.
Plumbing and electrical points should be connected. Drainage
systems should be efficiently installed. Counter top and storage
space need to be decided.
If you really want to know, how much space would be required
by the kitchen island and how much would be left over, the
simplest thing to do is to stack the cardboard boxes in the
place. If you find that there is room and spaces left over,
then go ahead and build a kitchen island. Remember that kitchen
islands can increase the budget for the kitchen makeover.
Leave space for walkways
Space should be left for walking and maneuvering around the
kitchen islands. Ideally 36”-42” space should
be left between the kitchen counters and the kitchen island.
If you are operating the dishwasher, then 42” should
be left. Any smaller walkway and you would be in a tight fix.
Matching the height
Kitchen islands can be built higher than the kitchen tops
or lower than the kitchen counters. Bar stools or any other
comfortable seating should be provided for higher kitchen
islands. Kitchen islands lower than the kitchen tops can serve
as breakfast areas. With kitchen islands you can have myriad
combinations and permutations that suit you.
Portable or stationary
Kitchen islands can either with portable or stationary. If
you want a really small kitchen island, then go in for a portable
kitchen island. On the other hand if you like to have a kitchen
island with lots of gadgets, electrical points, plumbing and
drainage systems, then you should go in for a stationary kitchen
island.
Please refer to our Kitchen
Remodeling Firms section to find a great contractor near
you.
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