Kitchen Carts And Islands Are Your Best Kitchen Friends
No man is an island, said English poet John Donne. Sure, that probably had nothing to do with stand-alone kitchen units. But when it comes to kitchen islands, thats exactly what you want to be: stand-alone. Preferably in an open space. With lots of room to move around and do your thing. Just you, yourself, and your butchers block ready to tackle your next tasty masterpiece.
No Folly With A Kitchen Trolley
If youre operating your way around a smaller kitchen, you might need some extra workspace or storage. Why not create a mini island using a utility cart? Itll serve as a practical, space efficient feature in your kitchen, especially since you can move it around as you please.
Get a cart with just the shelves if storage is your primary focus. Its a great place to keep everything from spices to steak knives. On the other hand, if youre looking to add some workspace, you should get one with a tabletop as well. What about treating yourself to a cart with a butchers block countertop to bring some pro-chef quality to your kitchen? Bonus tip: kitchen carts with curved ends will create a better flow around your unit. That way, you can move around more freely without risking bumping into sharp edges.
Drop In A Low Dining Table
Design a kitchen island that feels inviting for dining by dropping a lower height worktop, meaning you can use standard dining chair rather than high bar stools. It’s great idea for family kitchens, where you might not want little ones clambering precariously onto bar stools.
Use the same colour cabinetry for the dining portion of the kitchen island but drop the height by just enough to make it useable as a dining table. Using an a contrasting worktop to the remainder of the island helps to make its purpose standout even further.
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Dishwasher Drain Without Sink
Dishwashers are relatively a newer concept in the world of appliances.
Even though it wasnt as available before, its gaining huge popularity drastically.
Nowadays a dishwasher is a must-have in any home.
But mostly its used with the assistance of a sink. What if you dont have one?
How does a dishwasher drain without sink work?
A dishwasher drain without a sink needs moderation in four different aspects to work. Supply lines, electricity supply, drainage line, and ventilation need to be adapted. Connect the electricity and water supply to start off the installation process. Then connect the drain hose and test the dishwasher.
Confused? Well, dont worry! Because we have a whole guide explaining every detail of the complete process.
So, lets dive right into the details without delaying further!
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If you have a dishwasher make sure to place the nearest edge of the dishwasher within 36 inches of the nearest. Image result for kitchen islands 6 feet long and 32 inches wide design countertops island bar remodel small with sin sink dishwasher prefab foot seating how don t make these kitchen island design mistakes. Double sink2nd island as they look warmer and dimensions for the first photos from the revolutionary kitchenaid fully integrated dishwasher with the before afters. Installing an island can enhance your kitchen in many ways, and with good planning, even smaller kitchens can benefit. As highlight kitchen island with sink and dishwasher.
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Whats Important For A Big Kitchen Island Design
As weve discussed above, a large kitchen island design needs to take into account the slab size available for your chosen kitchen countertop. But if your kitchen is really large, its not only the countertop materials length that should be considered.
Almost any kitchen island will naturally be proportional to the space, as the size is typically dictated by three sides of base and wall cabinets which will determine the length of the center island, says Jay Kallos, senior vice president of architecture at Ashton Woods .
If you have a really wide space where this guidance isnt present, your guiding factors are what works aesthetically and ergonomically in the space. This might be an instance where two square islands in line work best by providing access at the midpoint of what would be an island big enough to park a car on without the break. For an extra deep kitchen, two parallel islands work really well, allowing one to be a working island and the other left to dining, studying or partying.
Be sure to think about practicalities as well. Your island shouldnt be so wide that you cant reach the center from both sides to clean, says Teri Simone, head of design for Nieu Cabinet Doors .
For length, its important to consider what the island is blocking access to. If the island is so big that you are walking a long way around to access elements of your working triangle, its too big.
Squeeze In A Slimline Island
You don’t need a vast kitchen to fit in an island, as this skinny design proves. It even doubles as a breakfast bar, courtesy of a simple overhanging work surface.
Tongue and groove panelling integrates the piece with the rest of the Shaker-style scheme, while the light and bright colour scheme helps to make the room feel spacious.
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Make Sure Your Island Is Well Lit
As far as kitchen lighting ideas go, the island is one of the most important focal points some would say the star of the show. While you want the entire kitchen to be lit for your needs it’s imperative to make sure the island fits perfectly within the lighting plan.
As it often serves as the main food prep station and the hub of entertaining it needs to be well-lit, most likely by multiple lighting options. Whether that’s overhead spotlights or lanterns, which you can dim for intimacy or brighten for practical task lighting, ensure the main focus for good lighting is the centre of the island.
Make A Statement With Bright Bar Stools
New cabinetry is a big investment. So it’s understandable that you might not want to be too experimental with colour. If that’s the case, why not introduce a brighter shade through accessories that are easier to switch out if you get bored like these statement bar stools?
For something less permanent, a vase of flowers will do the job!
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Large Kitchen Island Vs Small Kitchen Island
Another thing to consider is the spatial practicality of the kitchen island. By this, I mean you might not want too small an island that serves little to no purpose, nor might you want something so overly large that you cant reach from one side to the other without great effort. While not everyone will follow these guidelines for their own reasons, here are some dimensions for reference:
Large Kitchen Island
- Large kitchen island dimensions: 54-60 deep x 108+ long
- Recommended if you have a large space to fill
- Hard to reach the middle of islands larger than 54 deep
- Consider filling a large space with a double island to reduce costs and increase functionality
Small Kitchen Island
- Small kitchen island dimensions: 30-36 deep x 36-72 long
- Recommended if you have a small space to fill
- Allow for a minimum of a 36 isle between countertops
- Adding a small island to a kitchen increases functionality, but can have the opposite effect if you dont have enough space for it
Typical Kitchen Island
- Typical kitchen island dimensions: 42-48 deep x 72-108 long
- Offers many customization options to fit your kitchen needs
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Go With The Flow In Open
Open-plan living spaces often benefit from identifying dedicated spaces within the layout, for different purposes. Floating a kitchen island doesn’t interrupt the flow of the floor plan, but it does clearly define the kitchen functionality within the space. Just as a dining table sets the scene for dining.
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Dishwasher Spacing And Placement Recommendations
Dishwashers and sinks can easily get crowded since they need to be close in proximity to take advantage of their shared drainage and water supply.
- Dishwasher to sink distance: From the dishwasher to the sink, the distance should be no more than 36 inches. The intent is two-fold: first, to make sure that the cook can easily move dishes from the sink to the dishwasher secondly, to ease under-counter hookups between sink and dishwasher.
- Dishwasher to base cabinets distance: From the dishwasher to the nearest base cabinets or other obstructions should be 21 inches minimum. Providing distance minimums gives the dishwasher door plenty of room to open.
The Spruce / Caitlin Rogers
Selecting The Features That Work For You
Consider Adding a Sink
Adding a sink to your countertop is a great idea to separate your wash area. Place it in a way that it suits your needs and contributes to the kitchens functionality.
Single Sinks/Double Sinks
Youll need to decide if you want a single or double sink on your kitchen island.
Single sinks, which have one larger wash basin, are more apt for smaller spaces and for washing bigger items. A large single sink does not take up too much counter space. It is preferred by people who like to do one task at a time.
With double sinks you have the flexibility of using the sides for different purposes. A popular use is to wash dishes on one side and prep food on the other, so that you are cleaning during your cooking process. You can always use both for prepping, such as washing veggies in one sink while having them draining the other.
Double sinks, however, may not be suitable to wash larger items. Food particles may even get stuck in the side without the garbage disposal. Give good thought as to how you will be using your sink or you may be left with a small sink and a sink you hardly use.
Sink With Drainboard
Farmhouse Sink
Contemporary Sink
There are a variety of contemporary stylish kitchen sinks available in the market today. Select one which will match the style of the your kitchen as well as your needs.
Faucets
Available in various designs, faucets are a necessity in every kitchen.
Single/Double Handle Faucets
Spiral Faucets
Pull-Down Faucets
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How Tall Should A Kitchen Island Be
Is your kitchen island used for mainly food preparation and cooking? Thirty-six inches is a recommended standard height for a kitchen island. Seating at a 36-inch-high island is somewhere between a typical kitchen table seat and typical bar stools. Some professionals recommend 42 inches for an island that will be used mainly for seating and eating.
Your Very Own Island Paradise
In a small space or an open-plan design, the perfect kitchen island will do wonders for any home chef. It offers a vast area of use and will act as your new multifunctional best friend. Prepping, cutting, cooking, storing, and even dining has never been easier.
We have a variety of options to make sure you can find whatever suits your needs. Maybe youre looking to add some extra workspace or storage? Or you want a nice unit for family and friends to gather around? No problem, theres something here for everyone.
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How Big Should A Kitchen Island Be
Weve talked about the kitchen space, but what else is essential to know about the size of a kitchen island? Elyse Moody, kitchen design expert at Designer Appliances agrees that its proportions depend on the size of your kitchen, but she adds that also important is whether you intend to use your island for prep only or as a seating area.
As for kitchen island depth if it’s to be used as a seating area as well as for other purposes? For the depth, standard cabinets are 24 inches deep, so at a minimum, islands should be 42 to 48 inches deep. This allows for plenty of leg room and creates ample comfort while sitting at the island, says architect Jenn Smith
Theres another consideration thats often missed in thinking about kitchen island size. Many people dream of having a large kitchen island, but they fail to consider the maximum size that their countertop material comes in, explains architect Mona Ying Reeves, founder of Kickstart House .
Exceeding a standard size or length could add substantial cost to your island. Solid slabs often max out at 8 to 10 feet depending on the material, and butcher blocks are limited as well due to production and transportation constraints, she says.
Combing slabs can also create problems with seams. Depending on the pattern, it may be really obvious where the seam is located and sometimes its barely noticeable. It all depends on the countertop color and pattern, plus the skill of the installer, explains Jenn Smith.
Cost Of Kitchen Island With Sink
A sink can be purchased relatively cheaply basic models mulai around $200 and the average cost for a sink is $400 which, when you consider the amount of use it gets, is quite reasonable.That being said, a sink must be connected to water, and for that, youll need a plumber.
Plumbers sometimes charge by the hour, with national costs averaging $45-65 saban hour of work. To install a sink, they often offer a set price, around $200, that would include the labor and any additional parts needed for the installation.
But wait where is that water coming from? Chances are, your kitchen island doesnn butt up against a wall, so youll need to run a new pipe under the floor.
Expect to pay a professional around $500 for the installation of these new pipes and the sink. Of course, the cost is dependent on the orientation and condition of your current plumbing.
Running a new pipe may require partial removal of your flooring and subflooring, so make sure to calculate the cost of replacement or repair in the overall cost of installing a sink in your kitchen island.
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Other Kitchen Island Design Tips
- Islands can be great places for extra storage! Two 24-inch base cabinets back to back can accommodate most under-island storage.
- Two-tiered kitchen islands can be great for multiple functions. For instance, you can use the lower level for food prep and the higher level for eating .
- If you do a lot of cooking, an island with a second sink or stove may be ideal.
Ready to design a kitchen island in Maryland, Northern Virginia, or DC? Wed love to be your design partner! Call us at 301-363-4064 for a consultation.
Put An Extra Sink In Place
Putting in a extra, small sink is a great idea for a kitchen that loves to entertain. Consider this the ‘bar’ area, where the sink is used additional to the main sink. Or the hand washing station, to save garden dirt or germs from being anywhere near the sink you wash groceries in.
This can also be a great idea for safety measure, in kitchen that features a hot tap for instance, allowing the children to use the separate sink safe in the knowledge they can’t accidentally use the wrong tap.
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Triangle Distance Between Kitchen Work Areas
The kitchen work triangle is a design concept that recommends that you place your three most important work areassink, refrigerator, and stovein a triangular fashion.
While the kitchen triangle concept has been around for many years, it is a tried-and-true concept that still works. If you are ever confused about the direction of your kitchen design, you can always fall back on the kitchen triangle.
The kitchen triangle can have many variations, as long as the total triangle length and individual triangle legs are kept in check.
Bang Away At A Butchers Block Countertop
Butcher blocks have been used by butchers for centuries. Its a robust piece of wood, made for heavy-duty chopping. Theyre also made to last, so theyll endure most hardships that a home chef might put them through. Make sure to keep the block well-oiled, and it will serve as a loyal friend in your kitchen.
Now that you know how it works, its just a matter of choosing between a butchers block cart or a traditional kitchen island. They both have all the advantages weve already mentioned above, plus the durable surface. So, if youre looking to impress with your prepping and chopping skills, youre all set.
Once you have your workspace in order, make sure to also get all the kitchen utensils you need.
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A Guide To Kitchen Island Sizes: How Big Should It Be
A kitchen island is a great addition to any kitchen that provides style, efficiency, and added convenience. But there is a lot of planning that goes into finding the correct size to fit the space youre working with. Well be diving into everything you need to know about the size and implantation of your kitchen island.
How big should a kitchen island be? A standard kitchen island will be around 4 feet long and 3 feet deep. This allows it to be sturdy and useful, but cozy for a smaller kitchen. To function properly, the island needs to be 30 inches away from your counter space.
To determine the size of a kitchen island, factor in the size of the kitchen, what its main purpose will be, and the overall layout of the kitchen.As you plan and dream up your perfect kitchen, determining the ideal size of your island can be a little tricky. The key will be finding the perfect fit so it meets your needs while not taking over your whole kitchen.
Planning for Your Kitchen Island
Kitchens and the appliances they house have evolved immensely over the years. The kitchen has modernized itself inside and out from the electronics and appliances to the built-in structures and overall layout.
Kitchen islands are highly functional and make a beautiful focal point for your kitchen aesthetically. The accessibility factor, alone, makes for an appealing reason to have an island in your kitchen.
Things a Kitchen Island Can be Used For
Food Prep:
Cooking:
Cleaning After the Meal: