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!
New display coming soon to our Failsworth showroom!
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The kitchen is the heart of the home — where meals are made, memories are shared, and beauty meets function. Designed to inspire by Kitchen Design Centre. #HeartOfTheHome #KitchenDesign #KitchenDesignCentre #kitchen #kitchengoals #kitchenremodel #kitcheninspiration
A KITCHEN AND LIVING SPACE REIMAGINED FOR A RIBBLE VALLEY HOME
Paulo and Debbie first discovered Kitchen Design Centre back in 2013 when they created their dream kitchen—and they loved it so much that, years later, they returned once more.
This time, it was for a brand-new kitchen, utility room, games room and garage storage area as part of a major renovation to their family home.
Inspired by a stunning display in the Barrowford showroom, Paulo and Debbie teamed up with Barrowford Showroom Manager, Simon Thomas. With over 25 years of experience, Simon was the perfect person to take on their new brief—one that pushed boundaries and called for creativity in a limited space.
Debbie, inspired by Pinterest, envisioned a kitchen with rich walnut tones. Simon brought this to life with a sophisticated, contemporary design that cleverly created the feeling of a large island in a narrow room, proving that great design isn’t about space—it’s about smart solutions. He did this by linking the island to one wall to create the perfect cooking centre with all the focus in to the room.
“Simon was incredible. We loved the kitchen so much that we asked him to turn his attention to the majority of our downstairs. The whole area now has real wow factor—and it’s incredibly practical too. We couldn’t be happier with the result.”
Head to our website to read the full story.
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A SLEEK, HIGH-END CONTEMPORARY KITCHEN FOR A MANCHESTER HOME
When renovating their Worsley home, Kim and Paul knew exactly who to trust with their dream kitchen — Kitchen Design Centre.
A Sleek, High-End Contemporary Kitchen for a Manchester Home
Having worked with them four years ago in their previous home, they were so thrilled with the result that choosing them again was an easy decision.
Visiting the Urmston showroom, they were immediately inspired by the stunning displays and enlisted designer Rowan Chick to create a sleek yet functional space. They envisioned a monochrome palette to complement the ultra-modern aesthetic of their new home — a striking contrast to their previous more traditional navy and taupe kitchen.
Head to our website for the full story.
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FANCY THE CHANCE OF WINNING £4000? PLUS A FREE QUOOKER TAP & AN EXTRA £400 OFF YOUR KITCHEN!
For a limited time only, the first 40 customers to place an order after 4th April will be entered into our prize draw to win £4,000 cashback on their dream kitchen! And that’s not all – you’ll also receive an extra £400 off your kitchen as a thank you for your support over the last 40 years.
Plus, you’ll get a free chrome Quooker Flex Tap Pro3 – worth £1,250 to add the perfect finishing touch to your new kitchen.
And there’s more – you can still grab unbeatable discounts on our final ex-display kitchens and enjoy up to 50% off our premium stock appliances.
So, what are you waiting for? Book A Free Design Appointment today and let our expert team help you create the kitchen of your dreams. Hurry – this anniversary celebration ends once we’ve reached 40 kitchens!
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