Kitchen Island Ideas

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by stayinformed40

My thoughts/suggestions would be just that. If your space allows, you could ceratinly make seating for more than 4. Islands are also a great way to obtain additional cabinet space and I love the microwave drawers and refrigerator drawers that can be placed in them. Great for kids!

As folks age their range of motion and strengtht decrease. Having the fridge drawers and microwave that does not require stretching over the cooktop allows them to be more confidant in their kitchens. The dowsed of those options is that they are currently priced as "luxury items". I suspect over time that will change.

The "drawer appliances" also do an excellent job of maximizing "clear work space" and that is huge help as folks age -- less clutter makes it easier to avoid spills and keep the kitchen tidy. Grooves, seams and joints that go along with multi-level islands can be nearly impossible keep clean. I know many people my age with eldery parents that the decision to seek alternative living arrangements was driven by the obvious inability to keep up with basic cleaning...

As the population ages and more people desire to stay in their own home longer it is wise to consider how one's kitchen will serve an older cook down the road.

[ctrinidad]

What stage is the house in?

If you haven't started the foundation yet, you may want to redesign the kitchen. Do it now so you won't regret it later.

What is your kitchen triangle like? Where is the breakfast nook in correlation to the kitchen? What are your needs? What appliances do you want in the kitchen? Any "luxury" items like built in micro or the drawer? Point of use refrigeration or a beverage center? Seperate refrigeration units (freezer and fridge) or one single unit? Warming drawer or no?

The kitchen island that replaces a breakfast area should be quite large in size with seating away from the working triangle. Preferrably, seating should be outside the kitchen prep zones.