When you are designing or renovating a kitchen, you may want to add a kitchen island. It is important not only to size it right but to think about colour and shape too. Here are some ideas our Anne Winch Real Estate Team has for you if you want a kitchen island in your home.
Why do you need an island?
A kitchen island can not only be a focal point in your kitchen, but it can also be extra space for food prep, a breakfast bar or even a spot to park your kids for their weekly homework sessions. It can be a place for family and friends to gather or an extra working area.
Size does matter
How do you calculate the correct size for your island? If it is too small, it can spoil your design and too large and it can impede the flow of your kitchen.
A kitchen island does need generous space. Is there a standard size? The answer is simply, no. Keep in mind the following:
- Clearance for people to walk around
- Room to open appliance doors and cabinets
- Needs to be custom-built as not every size suits every kitchen
There isn’t a standard island size, but the average kitchen island is around 40X80 inches (1 by 2 metres). Clearance around the island should be about 36 to 48 inches for accessibility and maneuverability. If you are thinking about proportion size in your kitchen it should be about 1/10 to 1/15 of your kitchen size.
If your kitchen is smaller, you may have to get some guidance on counter space and storage. You will need about 150 sq. ft. for an island (14 sq. metres). However, don’t feel you absolutely need a kitchen island if your area is smaller. There are other staging and design options to create a beautiful, smaller-sized kitchen.
Let’s plan the island
In your kitchen design, you need to think about the following:
- Family size
- Family dynamic
- Cooking and dining habits, and
- How often you entertain
If you are doing a kitchen remodel, remember to have electrical outlets installed every 4 feet. If you don’t do this during the construction phase it can be costly to include after the fact. If you want to dine at your island, make sure you have an overhang of at least 12 inches.
The advantages of having a kitchen island are many. It can also be a great selling and design feature in your home. It can provide extra storage for small appliances and cookware too.
We hope you enjoyed our information on kitchen islands and if you need any help with staging, selling, or buying your next home, we would love to chat with you!