kitchen island ideas
Kitchen Island Ideas
With both functional and aesthetic purposes to serve, island counters are gorgeous additions to open kitchens in particular. Here are some kitchen island ideas to add to the aesthetic value of your cooking space.
- Though an island counter should ideally blend with the rest of the design, there is no harm in giving it a dash of color to have it stand out a little. The idea is to strike a balance so that it looks like a part of the décor, yet has its own identity amid the rest of the kitchen.
- Another way to design it is to use different materials to divide work surfaces. For instance, you could add a butcher's block (chopping board) that is a wooden surface on 1/4th of the island surface, and keep the remainder granite as a work surface. This not only serves dual purposes but also adds an element of interest.
- A two-level island can beautifully utilize the concept of multiple surfaces. A level made of wood that is higher than the granite work surface serves as a small breakfast table, and gives it a dynamic look.
- Add a wine rack on one side of an island in an open kitchen, and a side that shows in the living or dining room. As a design element on its own, you don't need to do much to make it stand out. Further, you can include open shelving and have the cabinets below the island covered with glass doors to give it a unique look.
- If you are a minimalist and don't like bulky furniture, just a long rectangular table with two chairs around it can do the trick. You could also use a table on wheels to make your island counter portable, or mount old storage cabinets on casters and use them as a mobile island counter, which you can keep aside when you want to give your kitchen a larger appeal. This is a particularly great idea for small spaces.
- If you want to customize the design, try having the counter in various shapes. Circular, wedge-shaped, angular, perfectly square, or long and rectangular with a rounded or a semi-circular edge is another great way to add that style and dynamism.
- Think of your dining table attached to the island counter where your kids can spend time with you doing their homework or other crafts, while you are cooking and keeping them company. A great idea for large areas, this concept gives the kitchen an elongated appearance.
- The island can also double up as a dining table if it is wide and long enough. This eliminates the need for a separate dining table, and allows you to integrate a living space without much effort.