Struggling to choose the right kitchen islands for your small kitchens? Let’s discover some solutions.
Nothing represents the focal point of a kitchen than an island. They can be as eye-catching as they are functional, but oftentimes those with smaller spaces shy away from adding them to their kitchen design because they believe it will ruin the usability of their culinary area. However, through some thoughtful planning and unique ideas, a kitchen island for your small kitchen can be yours.
Assessing Your Space
Before you can create your island, you need to fully assess the amount of space. A properly sized island can be an amazing benefit to a small kitchen, but one that is too big or for the space can just as easily be a detriment. Once you have the space measurements, it is a good idea to sit down with a professional designer who can map out your space to ensure that the cabinets that line your walls will be in perfect proportion to the size of your island. In addition, they can also help determine the best shape and design that will maintain the flow as not to impede movement or function.
Getting Creative With Your Countertop
Many don’t consider the countertop cut in how it can add versatility to a kitchen island. A countertop can be designed for a fitted cut, meaning that it falls in line with the general dimensions of the cabinets it rests upon, or it can be designed to extend beyond those constraints. For those who want their kitchen island to be more than just a serving spot, a stone can be cut to create extra seating areas without impeding the limited space of a small kitchen.
Choosing waterfall kitchen islands for small kitchens can be a great option!
In addition, the cut of your countertop can make a difference in the overall feel of your kitchen. Countertops that incorporate a waterfall can create a greater sense of space, especially if they are of lighter colors. The reflective quality of white and light grays can brighten the space and provide the feeling of a much larger kitchen.
Understanding Your Storage and Functionality Needs
The kitchen island is more than just a large serving area, it can also serve as one of your main storage spots as well as a food preparation center. Therefore, you should fully take into account your storage needs, and whether you want this island to have items such as a stove top or other functional appliances like a mini-refrigerator or a built-in microwave.
Small Kitchens Deserve Innovative Kitchen Islands
Use Contrast to Create Depth
The kitchen island for your small kitchen provides several advantages from greater storage options to extra areas for appliances. However, one of its greatest benefits is its ability to add an opportunity for additional contrast. Contrast is one of the key elements in building a sense of space. Areas that have contrasting colors allow the eyes to find depth more readily and thus provides a feeling of openness.
A kitchen island that has a contrasting color to the floor or the cabinets lining the walls, not only enhances its role as a focal point of your kitchen, but can even make a smaller kitchen appear larger. Using colors like white and gray when the floors or dark, or Fossil Nuovo Gray or Classé Black when the floors are light can really make the difference in the overall look and feel of your space.
Thin Island Can Provide A Unique Option
If your kitchen is very small but you still desire the convenience of an island, a thin or single cabinet island may be the best option. This type of island allows for a single row of cabinets facing one direction. However, the stone can be cut to extend past the end to provide a seating area for extra functionality.
Small kitchens can take advantage of thin kitchen islands as a solution to maximize space.
Glass and Lighting
If you still would like to open up the look of your kitchen and find closed cabinetry confining, using glass and proper lighting can make all the difference. Glass cabinets, whether on the end of the island or in its center, can create any airy feel. In addition, proper lighting, whether inside the glass cabinets, near the toe boards, or pendant lighting above it, can provide a sense of space and openness.
Bringing Your Kitchen Island Vision to Life
To start the process of designing your kitchen island it is a good idea to visit a cabinet and stone showroom to get an idea, and then to sit down with a designer who can help you take the materials you like and create the island for your small kitchen that will meet your functional and aesthetic needs. The experts at 405 Cabinets & Stone can help guide you through the entire process and turn your kitchen dreams into a reality.
