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!
TRADITION MEETS MODERNITY IN OUR LIVERPOOL SHOWROOM
In our Liverpool showroom, we’ve masterfully blended the best of traditional and modern design elements to create a unique, timeless kitchen display. This space is a perfect mix of classic elegance with contemporary functionality, and the focal point is the stunning L-shaped island, which serves as both a practical workspace and a social hub. Its clever design seamlessly links into a media wall and presentation area, incorporating the essence of modern open-plan living.
The colour scheme is a sophisticated mix of Concept130 Roma Graphite shaker cabinets paired with Montreal light fine oak handleless units and taupe trim handles. This combination offers a perfect balance between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design, perfect if you appreciate the classics but want something a little more updated.
Standout appliances:
Neff 30cm Wine Fridge
Neff 80cm Induction Hob
Neff Single Oven
Neff Tall Integrated Fridge
Neff Dishwasher
MODERN MINIMALISM AT ITS FINEST IN OUR URMSTON SHOWROOM
Our Urmston showroom display showcases a bold, modern kitchen design that effortlessly blends both form and function. The handleless units create a streamlined, uninterrupted flow throughout the space, perfectly complemented by the ultra-matt black finish on the worktops. This pairs beautifully with the elegant black ribbed-veneered door for the focal wall.
This minimalist design approach offers a chic, contemporary vibe, ideal if you love the clean, clutter-free aesthetic. To enhance this look, we’ve used warm accent colours that break up the monochrome palette, adding a sense of inviting depth and warmth to the overall space. The subtle, extravagant marble panels add a touch of quiet luxury, their natural veining providing visual interest and texture against the sleek black surfaces, especially when lit by warm LED lighting. This fusion of modern materials and timeless elements, such as marble, creates a display that is both stylish and practical!
Standout appliances:
Neff N90 Ovens with premium 6.8” touch screen display and Twist Pad Flex control
Neff Flex Induction Hob
Silgranit Blanco Sink
Quooker Tap
THE BARROWFORD SHOWROOM’S HARMONIOUS AND ELEGANT DISPLAY
In Barrowford, we’ve embraced a calming, earthy palette that combines functionality with elegance. The display features Hampton Ash wood doors painted in a Natural Umber shade, mixed with Scala Olive green flat doors, and completed with a mix of antique brass handles. The warm, neutral tones of the Natural Umber give this kitchen a wonderfully cosy feel, making it a welcoming space for both cooking and entertaining.
One of the key features of this display is the 30mm Vanilla Noir quartz worktop, which stands out with its dark, characterful design. The designer bench seating includes pullout storage to maximise space without sacrificing style. The bifold worktop unit and sliding doors on the island showcase smart storage solutions. Finally, the open shelves add a touch of rustic charm!
Standout appliances:
Neff Collection Oven
Neff XL Fridge Freezer
Quooker Classic Fusion Tap
Double Bowl Tartufo Sink
THE BLACKBURN SHOWROOM’S SLEEK AND MODERN MASTERPIECE
Our new Blackburn display is a testament to a modern, streamlined design. It features a bold black and oak colour scheme, seamlessly blending practicality and contemporary aesthetics. The tall units are clad in a Black Velvet Oak, adding depth and contrast to the sleek black wall units. The Toronto base units and matching worktops are finished in Natural Vintage Oak for a beautiful and cohesive end result.
One of the standout elements of this display is the quirky curved breakfast bar, a unique feature that blends functionality with style. Raised planters behind the bar add a touch of greenery; perfect if you love bringing natural elements into your kitchen.
Standout appliances:
Neff 60cm CombiZone Black Induction Hob
Integrated Design Hood
Neff Fully-integrated dishwasher
Neff Integrated Frost Free Under Counter Freezer
More from the team’s annual trip to Germany to the headquarters of Hacker Rodinghausen showroom.
Staff from all of our showrooms attended to view the new exciting ranges of kitchens and colours that are available from now. They were given a full factory tour & took part in product workshops. It was an intensive 2 x day trip however they had a fabulous time.
Head to our stories for more details or head over to our website to book your free design appointment
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