Beloved for their style and function, there’s no denying that kitchen islands have become an increasingly popular addition to our homes. If you’re sizing up your own home for a kitchen island, one of the first questions you’ll have to answer is: how will they really work in your space? To make the decision easier for you, our own kitchen design experts have summed up some of the key design considerations below!
Kitchen islands are a unit in the centre of a kitchen. You can use it as extra storage, as a way of dividing a kitchen and dining room, or as a breakfast bar. Some people also install a hob or sink in their kitchen island. It all comes down to what you need from the space.
The important thing is that your island fulfils a specific requirement you have for your kitchen. If you need more space to cook, it can become a platform for new magnetic induction hobs, or a Quooker tap. If you need more space for storage, on the other hand, it can house some useful storage solutions like extra drawers or cupboards, so that your other kitchen cupboards become less overcrowded. Unless your kitchen island fulfils a specific requirement, in a family home it can all too easily just become an extra surface that becomes cluttered with everyday household “stuff” – paperwork, letters, that sort of thing. (Happily, that’s exactly where our talented kitchen designers can come in; helping you work out exactly what you need from the space!)
Our designers can accommodate kitchen islands in many different kitchen configurations, even relatively small and narrow spaces. That said, if your kitchen is exceptionally small and/or narrow, you might want to consider some alternatives. For example, you’ll need to make sure there’s enough room to open base floor-level cupboard doors next to the island. It can be a real headache otherwise! By the same token, a dishwasher door needs a fair amount of clearance.
Even if you don’t quite have the space, though, you’re not out of options! If you don’t have the room for a full kitchen island, you may want to consider whether a kitchen peninsula might work instead. Rather than sitting in the middle of a kitchen, a peninsula sits to one side, typically at the end of a run of cupboards. It provides a nice little seating area, as well as extra storage. In other words, many of the same functions as an island!
Apart from beautiful design, functionality is one of the core aspects you’ll want to focus on when designing your kitchen. Make your kitchen island work that bit harder! As we touched on above, you can install a sink or hob, or fit retractable power outlets. Make sure you have access to key elements of your kitchen from the island so that it can be used as a baking/food prep area.
With some careful thought during the design process, a kitchen island will become a real asset to your kitchen. Here at Kitchen Design Centre, our own designers have years of experience in designing kitchen islands to fit each one of our customers’ individual needs. You can find out more about them by checking out some of our customer kitchens, or by dropping in for a chat at any one of our designer kitchen showrooms!
The kids are in bed, the wine is perfectly chilled… this is what I call a little luxury. 🍷
#winefridge #wineoftheday #kitchenappliance #relatablemum #mumhumour
Little kitchen decisions that make everyday life SO much easier 🙌🏼
We positioned the dishwasher right beside the drawers where we keep our plates, bowls and cutlery, and honestly… it’s made unloading so much quicker!
It might seem like a small detail when planning your kitchen, but getting the layout right can make such a difference to how your kitchen works day to day.
One to remember if you’re planning a kitchen 👀
#kitchendesign #KitchenLayout #KitchenIdeas #KitchenHacks #kitcheninspo
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
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