An island in the kitchen can be the height of splendor and luxury, because it really looks gorgeous. The very thought of this is attractive to all members of the family, and especially to the hostess, who has to spend more time cooking food in this corner longer than the rest. We will talk about how to organize it correctly, why it is needed at all, and also how to rationally use even the smallest area to equip an island in the kitchen.
The main advantages
Why is there such an unusual accent in the kitchen? What functions does it perform and what is its main advantage?
The very first advantage of an island in the kitchen is its stylish and modern design. In addition, now when you cook, you will not see the wall, which is a few centimeters from your eyes. Although, as a rule, housewives never think about it, in fact, this is so. You do not have to look at every centimeter long studied along and across the wall. Now ahead - a wide view. You will be able to see what is happening in the kitchen, in the hall or living room.
In addition, the design of the kitchen with the island facilitates eye contact with other family members. Having built such a simple fixture, you can access the kitchen from various angles. So you can organize the work of several people at once. In this case, no one will interfere with each other.
In order for all this to work out and the island in the kitchen to solve many problems, and not become a source of new ones, it is necessary to correctly plan the interior and design of the kitchen space.
Types of kitchen islands and their sizes
The surface area of this element depends directly on its functional features. This means that before planning his arrangement, it is necessary to determine the destination, in which he will act. Think about your family habits and traditions, because if you all gather at the table on the strength of once a week on Sundays, then it makes no sense to establish a working island in the middle of the kitchen.
It is quite another matter if you have a large family and guests in your house are not uncommon. Then such a work surface installed in the center of the room will be just the way. Based on this, you can determine the size and shape of the island in the kitchen, a photo of which eloquently testifies to its functionality.
There are two common options for organizing a kitchen accent: the worktop itself and the island-bar. It is worth talking about them in more detail.
Additional worktop or island bar
You can use this element as an additional work surface or bar counter. In this case, it will be convenient if open cupboards for storing kitchen utensils and other accessories are arranged on its sides. If the island serves as an additional work surface, there is no point in attaching it to the floor. If necessary, the structure can easily be moved to any other place. Moreover, ready-made kitchen islands on wheels are very often found.
It is a pity that the standard designs are low - about 80 cm. If you want to put bar stools next to you, you will have to raise the height to 125 cm.
Kitchen island with the possibility of cooking on it
This design allows you to properly organize directly the entire kitchen space and use rationally every square meter. To fit all the functional accessories, the size of the island should be at least 80 x 140 cm. You must also take into account the proper location of the hob. So, from its very edge should be freely placed a large pot or pan. That is, each panel should be at least 40 cm in diameter.
By the way, the device of a gas or induction cooker in an independent section of the kitchen space is the most convenient and functional solution. There, on the island, you can place other elements necessary for cooking.
So, a “piglet” kitchen with a built-in sink for dishes can take on the main load. This means that you can use the rest of the room space at your discretion by organizing a place for relaxation or a dining area.
Kitchen island: design options
How about a multifunctional element that will connect the hob and sink, and its main two sides will become spacious cabinets for storing kitchen utensils? At the same time, household appliances (oven, refrigerator or washing machine) can be built directly into the walls of the kitchen. Agree, in this situation, even from the smallest kitchen, you can make a pretty spacious room.
The optimal size of the kitchen island in this case starts from 120 x 240 cm. This is ideal for those who plan to equip a full-fledged functional complex. This is a rational solution for a country house. It doesn’t matter whether it is stone or wood.
Islet in the kitchen
The photos selected in our review demonstrate the beauty and convenience of this element. In an open room, as a rule, an L-shaped or U-shaped model is installed. Although in some cases there are exceptions - it all depends on the layout of the house and the dimensions of the kitchen itself. An example is the installation of such a linear type design in a spacious kitchen, which can not be combined with either the dining room or the living room. However, it's time to return to the more standard options for an island kitchen and consider each of them.
Standard U-Shaped Sizes
The kitchen for the most part is a family place, the main room in the house, its center and heart. It is for this reason that this form is perfect for organizing space. Back in the 50s, the Cornell University of the United States put forward the rule of correctly arranging a functional area in the kitchen - this is a well-known working triangle.
It is based on three peaks, which are a refrigerator, stove and sink. It is important to follow this principle when organizing an island in the kitchen. It should not break the working triangle, but organically side by side with it.
A U-shaped kitchen cannot be less than 37 cm wide. This result is obtained by adding certain distances:
- The length of the island itself (the width of the countertops cannot be less than 80 cm).
- The distance from the headset to the island should be less than 80 cm.
- The depth of the cabinets (standard - 60 cm, it needs to be multiplied by 2 - it turns out 120 cm).
As a result, the minimum width of the room with this form of the kitchen is 36 cm. If there is no such distance and cannot be, it is worth thinking about the island as a worthy alternative to the rational use of square meters.
What to consider?
The kitchen-living room with an island can become not only a functional and very convenient solution for a private house, but also an attractive element of the interior. Firstly, because its layout is designed with ergonomic needs in mind. And secondly, because modern designers offer non-standard solutions for arranging a family hearth.
You can create a large multi-functional island, and you can give preference to more modest models, which will be an additional working area. Therefore, choosing the interior of a kitchen with an island should be based on family habits and traditions, opportunities and desires.
What shape can a kitchen island be?
The layout of the kitchen should also take into account the shape of the island. So, the central elements can be made in the following configurations:
- A rectangle is one of the most common shapes. This is a traditional classic design that does not take up much space and allows you to accommodate everything you need. The rectangular island fits perfectly into the kitchen of the same shape.
- The square is another classic modification, which is suitable for rooms of the same shape. A good square "piglet" looks in the room where the kitchen is located with the letter "P".
- The semicircular shape of the central element is ideal for those rooms where there is a bar counter. It is desirable that the rounded end coincides with the placement of the bar.
- The most convenient is the U-shaped configuration, which is an open circle. Such an installation allows you to accommodate everything you need, as well as provide incremental access to the working triangle.
There are also absolutely round, diamond-shaped and completely oval islands. There are also very original design solutions that make the kitchen a real work of art.
Tips and tricks for arranging
When arranging an extraordinary solution, you can also plan your own design (photos of kitchens with islands will help to add interesting elements to it). If you are going to create such a design in your home, you need to consider some features:
- Immediately think about where the sink will be. If its place is in the center of the island, immediately decide on the transfer of water pipes. The same point applies to the gas stove.
- Please note that the wiring of all necessary communications requires raising the working surface by several centimeters.
- Furnishing a kitchen with an island requires a central hood, which should be located directly above the hob.
- The kitchen island should be stationary, and not mobile, if it is planned to place household appliances there.
- Do not forget about lighting. Since the kitchen island has become an additional working area, you need to take care of the placement of built-in lamps.
- The additional illumination in the open shelves also looks nice.
And one more tip: when choosing the design of the kitchen island, pay attention to the fact that it harmonizes with the set. Well, if it will be two parts of one whole. Otherwise, care must be taken to ensure that these elements complement each other.
Design
It is clear that the style of the central element should correspond to the interior of the entire kitchen. Here, as well as in other rooms, the following areas can be implemented:
- Classic. Its hallmarks are stained-glass windows, glass doors, marble countertops, open arched shelves, bright colors, a fireplace- type hood , etc.
- Country. The countertop in this case should be wooden. Wicker food baskets, natural materials, shelf curtains, open shelves, etc.
- Modern. There should not be anything superfluous. Ideal materials are metal and glass.
- Minimalism, or hi-tech. A kitchen island of this style is laconic and should be practical in use. Materials - glass, metal, stone.
A small kitchen island is not just a functional fixture for the home. This is a stylish and fashionable solution that will allow you to rationally use every square meter.