The Kitchen Island

Up on the blog this week, it's all about the kitchen island.  I recently finished helping a client with a kitchen renovation and it got me thinking about the importance of the kitchen island on the entire look and feel of the space.  Kitchen islands help to fulfill all of your cooking and entertaining needs. A kitchen island should therefore be your focal point in the kitchen. You will want to make a unique and interesting interior design statement with the island.

Face it, your kitchen sets the tone for the rest of your home. Homeowners invest a lot of money into kitchen upgrades because it is the most valuable and useful room when it comes to the resale value of the home.  The kitchen has the ability to not only provide a meal but a complete experience. An inspiring and stimulating space can mean the difference between a not so good day and an awesome day.  The kitchen is probably the most used room in your house, so you want it to be a space you enjoy spending time in.

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Historically, kitchens were for cooking. We all have memories of our mothers, fathers or both parents slaving over a stove, working tirelessly over counter tops, preparing delicious, filling and nutritious meals that the family enjoyed and savored together. In some cases children were told to keep out of the kitchen!  In most cases children were encouraged to join and learn the art of cooking, the joy of preparing a family or holiday meal together, thus creating true memories of a lifetime. Kitchens are not sedate and quiet rooms. They are rooms filled with energy, aroma and texture. They were created with a purpose, one purpose in mind. They were created to be utilitarian spaces.

Today’s kitchen however is much more than a utilitarian space.  It is the living space, the place where we gather, chat, drink wine, do homework.  Our needs and lifestyles have changed. Arguably even more now that we are in the midst of a Global Pandemic.  Not long ago, spending a Friday night at home seemed like the ultimate drag. But, now people are forcibly spending more time at home. I'd like to think that they will continue to do so even after the restrictions are lifted.  Home, after all, is the place where life really happens. Fortunately or unfortunately, going out to the newest restaurant has been replaced with throwing an intimate dinner party at home. 

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There are a million ways to change up the look and the feel of a kitchen with finishes and materials.  But, most kitchens have only one of a handful of layouts.  That's what got me thinking about the island.  I came across some really unique ideas and thought I would share!

If you are about to redesign the interior of your kitchen, when choosing an island, make sure you ask yourself what you'll actually use it for. If it's just extra storage and counter top space, an enclosed with cabinets will do. But if your home needs a more casual space to dine, make sure at least some portion of the island is optimized for bar stools and sitting so you can comfortably eat there.  Here are some of the unique island ideas I came across!

THE ISLAND BANQUETTE

I love of a banquette island. Instead of the traditional counter stools at the island, build in a banquette on the back of the island.  It’s like the best of both worlds, right?  You get the prep space of the island with the convivial, casual eating aspect.  There are many different ways to accomplish this look.

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EXTRA STORAGE

The kitchen Island not only makes your Kitchen warmer and welcoming by occupying the center stage, but it also helps you with plenty of storage.  This multi-drawer storage island adds an exorbitant amount of space to store all of your kitchen gadgets.

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GLASS DOORS TO DISPLAY CHINA AND GLASSWARE

Nobody ever complained of too much kitchen storage, but it needn’t all be purely practical when it comes to kitchen island ideas. Glass doors provide a pretty dresser-style display feature that’s perfect for showing off vintage glassware and treasured ceramics.

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DRESSER STYLE ISLAND

I love the idea of the kitchen island as a piece of furniture.  It enables the kitchen to feel even more open and spacious.  This is not the style you want if you definitely want seating around the island.  The example below has an old world charm yet it's sleek and simple.

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THE LIVE EDGE ISLAND TOP

Such a naturally beautiful way to enhance your interior.  Be careful of this on though.  It has the potential to look tawdry if not done incorrectly.

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TABLE AS ISLAND

A custom kitchen island can be super pricey—not to mention that it might not be an option for renters, especially here in Philadelphia. Instead, opt for a work table or bistro table with a slim rectangular silhouette and a bottom shelf to function as a kitchen island.

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DINING TABLE AS ISLAND

If you're kitchen is blessed with tons of counter space for cooking and you want to try something different with the leftover space, fill it with a dining table instead of an island. Choose something with similar proportions, like a long, rustic dining table, to achieve a similar layout but with a new twist. If you're cramped for space, forgo a traditional island altogether and use a small table. It'll give you work space and dining space all in one.

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BAR CART ISLAND

Live here in Philadelphia with a kitchen too small for an island? Use a bar cart instead, and keep it against the wall when you aren't using it. It can provide a small amount of extra surface space when you're cooking a lot—and a little bit will do the trick.

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THE DOUBLE ISLAND

Why have one kitchen island when you can have two? If you happen to have an expansive space, instead of building one larger island, break up the space with two smaller back-to-back islands. The symmetry is aesthetically pleasing, but also adds so much functional value.

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BENCH FOR BAR STOOL

Instead of taking the classic bar stool route, slide up a high bench instead, as the interior designer did in this kitchen. The unexpected design will also offer more seating space when you're hosting. It's sophisticated and understated but still keeps things interesting.

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The kitchen is good for the body, mind and soul, since food promotes, stimulates and develops your mind, body and soul. Without it, we wouldn’t survive. The kitchen provides a thoroughfare to store and prepare the food and nutrients our bodies need. You want the very best for your family, and it’s comforting to know you can help them develop healthy eating habits and cooking skills early in life that will bring lifelong benefits.

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If you’re struggling to maintain a sense of normalcy right now, I get it. I'm right here with you.  The way we all approach our daily lives has had to change significantly in a very short period of time—and the world of interior design has been turned upside down.  I’ll be the first to admit that it’s hard to predict what comes next. But the one thing I know for certain is that I will be here to support you through your next project.  My mission has always been to create an emotional interior design experience for you, a safe space and a community that you can rely on for interior design advice and guidance. Now, more than ever, I want to help you keep creating your dream interior as we navigate the unknown together.

I hope that you enjoyed this post and it encourages you to start thinking about your dream kitchen.  And hey, let's get social.  Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and connect on LinkedIn! Each day I will post follow up thoughts from the latest blog post to give you more inspiration.  AND, please leave me a comment below and let me know what you thought of this post!

In addition to being a Philadelphia residential Interior Designer,  I also design boutique hotels, fitness centers, office spaces, multi family development projects, other commercial spaces such as office and retail spaces, and the senior living community throughout the tri state area.  We work here in Philadelphia, the main line, and even Nationally!