You don’t need us to tell you by now: Love Island is back on our screens again. And amongst all the drama and the stolen kisses and the shiny, shiny teeth (we’re looking at you, Jack Fincham), we here at Kitchen Design Centre thought it was worth turning the spotlight on a different kind of island! Kitchen islands are a fantastic feature we absolutely love here at Kitchen Design Centre, and here are just a few of the ways they can be an amazing asset to your kitchen.
You don’t necessarily have to be a keen cook to know that counter space is one of the most valuable resources in any kitchen. It’s probably not surprising, then, that this is one of the most common uses for most kitchen islands! The extra elbow room never goes amiss, whether in large or small kitchens, and it’s also fantastic for giving greater definition to the space, creating natural walkways and passages around the island to increase the flow in your kitchen (as it does in this traditional shaker-style kitchen). This is especially useful for busy family kitchens, allowing you to all move round each other!
Following on from increased workspace, your kitchen island also acts as a natural extension of your cooking area, too. You can add in another prep sink, for example, for washing groceries, or a cooking hob so that you can prepare and cook everything right there on the island. Some might choose to have ovens and warming drawers, or combination microwaves built into it, while others might opt for integrated dishwashers. Gathering the bulkier appliances into one place like this not only makes things more convenient for you, but can also save valuable space elsewhere (such as along the walls) for storage or dining areas.
Alongside workspace, storage for plates, cooking gadgetry and utensils is yet another of those much-valued resources in modern kitchens. A kitchen island, therefore, can give you a handy place to integrate some handleless storage and free up other areas of your kitchen. Again, this is great in terms of convenience, as you’re no longer having to ferret away anything in various drawers around your kitchen. It’s never fun to have to go hunting for them all separately before you start cooking! Having increased storage space also means you can organise things a bit more, so that you’ve got your knives to hand right near your cooking area, rather than having to bundle them with your barely-used pots and pans on the other side of the kitchen.
If you have a contemporary designer kitchen and you’re after something that blurs the boundaries between your cooking and your dining area, you won’t get much better than a stylish kitchen island! It makes an ideal space for seating and dining. This is especially true if space is at a premium, as a tall island with a breakfast bar (and bar seating) can take up half the room that might be required for a full-length dining table and chairs. This social kitchen diner makes use of a kitchen island with an integrated dining table, so that the customers can chat with their guests as they whip up their latest delicious meal!
We hope we’ve given you a couple of ideas – but this list is by no means exhaustive! If your mind is buzzing with ways to se your kitchen island in your design, why not pop in and have a chat with any of our friendly kitchen designers? We’ve got showrooms near you in Barrowford, Blackburn and Manchester, and we’ve always got the kettle ready and waiting if you decide to pay us a visit!
Introducing Beth Ainsworth to our Blackburn showroom. Beth brings fresh ideas and plenty of enthusiasm to kitchen design. Off the clock, I’m most likely in the gym.
We’re passionate about tailoring our designs to fit your lifestyle, so whether you want a space to entertain or a family-centric kitchen to spend quality time together, our designers know exactly how to make your dream kitchen a reality.
When you book an appointment, you’ll be introduced to your personal kitchen designer, who will sit down with you in our dedicated meeting space to discuss what you want for your dream kitchen. Then, when you’re happy with the final design, they’ll become your dedicated project manager as they oversee every aspect of the installation, guaranteeing exceptional customer service as we deliver the kitchen of your dreams.
Our Summer Sale is officially ON! ✨
If you’ve been dreaming about a new kitchen, there’s never been a better time to make it happen. From timeless designs to modern family spaces, now is the perfect opportunity to save on the kitchen you’ve always wanted.
Visit our showroom or link in bio to get in touch to find out more.
AS SEEN ON GEORGE CLARKE’S BEAUTIFUL BUILDS: FROM DATED LAYOUT TO DREAM ENTERTAINING SPACE
When Katherine and Andrew purchased their property, they always knew a full renovation would follow.
With both the outdated kitchen and untouched garden requiring significant transformation, the project soon became part of Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds – it was an opportunity they felt perfectly aligned with their vision for the property.
While searching for a local kitchen specialist, Kitchen Design Centre immediately stood out thanks to its long-standing reputation, glowing customer reviews and welcoming showroom experience.
The brief focused on creating a sleek, contemporary kitchen that would feel open, social and highly functional, while complementing the wider architectural renovation of the home.
The finished design delivers a beautifully balanced space that combines clean lines with luxurious detailing.
One of the standout features is the striking worktop design. The waterfall edge peninsula creates a bold focal point within the room, while the continuation of the material across the side panels introduces a seamless, premium aesthetic.
Functionality was equally important throughout the design process, with carefully considered storage solutions and high-quality appliances helping to simplify everyday living. Among Katherine and Andrew’s favourite additions is the Neff oven, praised for both its versatility and pyrolytic self-cleaning function.
The completed result is a sophisticated contemporary space that completely transforms how the home looks, feels, and functions, perfectly reflecting Katherine and Andrew’s original vision from the moment they moved in.
More details in our bio
SUMMER JUST GOT EVEN BETTER FOR YOUR DREAM KITCHEN!
You don’t have to keep waiting for your dream kitchen. With flexible finance options on kitchens over £20,000, it’s ready when you are. Spread the cost of your kitchen plans and move forward in a way that works for you this summer.
With our exclusive Quooker offer, when you purchase any Quooker Tap and Tank system with a kitchen over £20,000, you’ll receive a FREE Quooker CUBE worth £1,250, plus free installation worth up to £384, and 4 free CO₂ cylinders worth £70. It’s everything you need to enjoy chilled, filtered, sparkling and boiling water straight from your tap.
And when you step into our showrooms, there are even more opportunities waiting for you, including exclusive savings on selected ex-display kitchens and up to 50% off selected stock appliances. Don’t miss this rare chance to secure something special, with design and value combined.
That said, like all great things, these summer offers are only available for a limited time — once they’re gone, they’re gone!
The kitchen isn’t just a place to cook — it’s the heart of the home.
At our Kitchen Design Centre, we believe your kitchen should be the centrepiece of your house, where style meets functionality and every moment matters. From morning coffees to family dinners and everything in between, your kitchen is where life happens.
That’s why we design spaces that bring people together — beautiful, practical, and tailored to you. Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek modern look or a warm, classic feel, we’re here to help you create a kitchen that truly feels like home.
Visit us today and start designing the heart of your home.
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