Island life Essential kitchen design ideas

A CLEVER KITCHEN ISLAND MAKES COOKING, GATHERING AND DINING A BREEZE – HERE’S OUR GUIDE TO FINDING THE RIGHT FIT

Two decades ago, the kitchen island began its meteoric rise from obscurity to kitchen hero, as the popularity of open-plan living exploded and homeowners started searching for new ways to delineate spaces. “By introducing a central stage for cooking, eating and entertaining, the island changed the role of the kitchen,” says brand manager Linda Hannah of Caesarstone. “An island serves many purposes – a food preparation space, storage, dining table, plus a place to install appliances such as the cooktop, oven, sink and dishwasher.” And, most importantly, a kitchen island gives you space for people to congregate and can turn the kitchen into the heart of the home. Read on for design ideas and expert advice to get your island right. >

ROOM to MOVE

“The most popular layout right now is a freestanding rectangle with full access around its entire circumference, not impeded by any returns or extended from the wall,” says Linda Hannah of Caesarstone. “This provides maximum opportunity for the multiple roles an island bench can play in the everyday life of a busy kitchen.” If you’re designing the space from scratch, the working-triangle rule still rings true (this is the access between your cooktop, fridge and sink). “The most effective workspaces allow 1200mm between each of these stations,” says marketing manager Lisa Mayski of Kaboodle Kitchen.

DOUBLE duty

The practical kitchen island-table hybrid (left) is gaining momentum, and in an open-plan home featuring a smaller footprint, it’s not hard to understand why this space-saving alternative is so popular. “In a space-starved interior, a ‘split level’ benchtop allows the design of an attractive eating area and more room for the adjoining living room space,” says interior designer Jane Thompson. “It also allows Mum and Dad to interact with the family while cooking, and keep an eye on the kids knee-deep in homework.”

“TRENDING RIGHT NOW IS THE ‘WATERFALL EDGE’, WHERE island bench THE TOP OF THE CONTINUES DOWN THE SIDES AT EITHER OR BOTH ENDS”

~ LINDA HANNAH, CAESARSTONE

SITTING pretty

Before you shop for stools or chairs, first decide whether your island will be used for casual perching or as your primary dining space: this will impact whether you opt to go with simple bar stools or something more sturdy with a back. “When choosing a style, try and match your kitchen aesthetic,” advises sales and retail director Susan Hasler of Freedom Kitchens. “If your kitchen is Hamptons style, natural timber stools will work beautifully. Modern and industrial more your style? Consider dark timbers with metallic finishes.” >

COLOUR cues

In 2020 and beyond, lighter-toned kitchen islands are set to take a back seat to dark, dramatic shades of black, punctuated by moody greys and light khaki. “Consumers are wanting more than the more conventional whites and warm whites, and moody hues in blacks and deep greys are definitely proving popular,” says Linda Hannah of Caesarstone.

MEASURE up

When designing your dream island, measurement is key: it should be easy to move around, be at a suitable working height and be in proportion to the space around it. Aim for at least 900mm of space between the island and fixed items, and ideally 1200mm if that fixed item is a working part of the kitchen, such as your stove or sink. If you’re designing your island to accommodate stools (as above), leave at least 600mm between the bench and the wall. Standard height is about 900mm – 950mm is a good height for bar stools.

surface APPEAL

As the kitchen blurs into the living space, there’s a move towards materials that add warmth while seamlessly blending into their surroundings – think natural stones, concrete, woodgrain and marble with beautiful veining. “The materials of the moment are definitely concrete and stone,” says Linda of Caesarstone. “The raw beauty and organic form of these natural materials add visual interest and look beautiful alongside metallics and timber.” For a cost-effective option, consider eschewing the real deal in favour of a laminate or quartz composite in a stone-inspired, woodgrain or marble look. These materials are non-porous and easy to clean. >

“ISLAND BENCHES MAKE statement A REAL IN THE KITCHEN, PROVIDING EXTRA workspace” STORAGE AND ~ LISA MAYSKI, KABOODLE KITCHEN

INSIDE story

“Pack as much storage as you can into both sides of your kitchen island,” advises Linda Hannah of Caesarstone. On the side that faces the kitchen, aim to store kitchenware that you don’t necessarily need next to your appliances, such as Tupperware, bakeware and small appliances. If you choose to have storage on the exposed side, this is a fantastic place to keep everyday items that your guests and family can easily help themselves to, including glassware, placemats and condiments – as well as your most beautiful and browse-worthy cookbooks.

A LUXE KITCHEN ISLAND MADE FROM SUPER WHITE PREMIUM MARBLE FROM WK-QUANTUM QUARTZ IS A SHOW STOPPER IN THIS FASHION-FORWARD FAMILY ZONE, WHILE THE BUILT-IN TABLE, CRAFTED FROM NAVURBAN NEW AGE VENEER IN BALMORAL, ALLOWS SPACE FOR EVERYONE TO DINE TOGETHER IN THIS THOMAS ARCHER-DESIGNED KITCHEN.

WHEN CHOOSING A DESIGN, WORK WITH WHAT YOU’VE GOT. IN THIS GIA RENOVATIONS-DESIGNED KITCHEN, AN EXISTING STRUCTURAL COLUMN HAS BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE ISLAND DESIGN TO PROVIDE AS MUCH PREP SPACE AS POSSIBLE.

FOR A STEPDOWN DINING DESIGN, CHOOSE CONTRASTING MATERIALS FOR A DESIGN STATEMENT THAT WILL DISTINGUISH THE ISLAND FROM THE TABLE.

MOODIER HUES – SUCH AS THIS CABINETRY IN RESENE GUNSMOKE – HIDE A MULTITUDE OF SCUFF MARKS AND SINS, MAKING IT EASIER TO KEEP YOUR KITCHEN LOOKING CLEAN.

SOMETHING TO HIDE? HERE, A SECOND LEVEL OF WALNUT CONCEALS THE SINK WHILE ACTING AS A BREAKFAST BAR – AND THE CONTRAST OF TIMBER AND STONE MAKES A STRIKING FEATURE.