Take a closer look… at kitchen island units
Everything you need to know about island units
GRAND CENTRAL STATION
Offering an extra surface for food preparation, storage and somewhere to eat, a kitchen island can be used to divide an open-plan room into distinct areas. To fit one comfortably, your space should be at least 3.5m x 3.5m with a metre gap between the island and base units, allowing room for cupboard doors and walking around.
PRACTICAL POINTERS
If the island incorporates an oven and hob or just a hob, you’ll need to plan for an extractor to remove steam and odours. Options include an island chimney hood, ceiling extractor or a downdraught extractor that rises from the worksurface. Recirculating extractors are easiest to fit as they don’t require ducting, or a ducting extractor could exit through the ceiling to an outside wall. Including a sink will require drainage that runs to an outside wall. Allow an overhang of 30cm minimum on the island top for a breakfast bar – 45cm is more comfortable – or dovetail in a dining surface at a lower level along one side. At its simplest, the island can include a mix of cupboards, drawers and open shelving areas but adding a hob, microwave oven, sink or dishwasher will work the design to the max. A hot water tap and pop-up electrical sockets for the worktop are useful extras. Good lighting is essential – consider recessed downlights, a stylish pendant light for decorative effect or both. Plinth lights create an atmospheric wash of light across the floor.
DESIGN IDEAS
To make it a distinctive focal point, choose a contrast colour for the island or team natural materials such as wood and stone with steel, glass or granite. Incorporating curved ends will soften the shape.