Kitchen islands are highly functional features.

Not only do they provide an attractive centre point to the kitchen, they’re convenient as they offer additional worktop space and storage.

But is an island right for your kitchen? Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons.

Do you have enough space in your kitchen?

Before considering anything else, you need to ascertain whether you have enough space to house an island.

The point of a kitchen island is that all sides must be accessible to work or sit around. This means you need sufficient space all around for a walkway. When assessing this, be realistic in your measurements. If you don’t have enough room, you’ll end up regretting it if you shoehorn an island into your kitchen and end up having to squeeze around it.

According to National Kitchen and Bath Association guidelines, you should allow at least 42 inches of clearance on either side of an island to get by.

The benefits of kitchen islands

Kitchen islands are highly functional and can provide you with much needed extra workspace. As well as your worktops, you’ll have another area that you can use for food preparation, baking, and placing hot dishes.

A kitchen island also gives additional storage space as you can use the under counter area to store pots, pans, baskets – anything that needs to be in easy reach.

If you want more seating, you can use your island as a breakfast bar with chairs or stools placed on one or both sides. Used in this way, an island can save you space if you don’t want to include a dining table in the kitchen. However, you do have to make sure you have sufficient space to house the chairs positioned around the island.

An island can also work as a divider, separating two different sections of your kitchen without actually closing them off from each other. This works well if you want to highlight the split between the working part of your kitchen and the relaxing dining side.

The disadvantages of kitchen islands

While some people will like the divide than an island can offer, it could end up disrupting your workflow, depending on your lifestyle. That’s why you should evaluate your daily activities to assess whether an island will be a benefit or a disruption.

Your starting point is to decide where you’re going to place your appliances such as cooker, fridge, washing machine, dishwasher and tumble dryer. Will an island be in the way when you’re moving between each appliance? Or will it provide a handy resting place?

Also, decide on your budget. Is an island a necessity or is that money better spent on other aspects of your kitchen?

Deciding whether a kitchen island is right for you

The beauty of kitchen islands it that they come in all shapes and sizes. You can have U-shaped, L-shaped, circular or galley islands.

At K Interiors, we can help you decide if an island is right for your kitchen. And If it is, we can advise on the best shape and size to suit your lifestyle.

Why not book a FREE kitchen design consultation and let us show you how we can transform your kitchen?

Call us on 01525 851830 or email: sales@kinteriorskitchens.co.uk