Ashley’s choice: A KITCHEN ISLAND
Thinking about installing an island unit? Read our tips to get the lowdown on what you need to know
Akitchen island can offer huge benefits, from extra storage and a central cooking zone to a sociable space for family and friends. From height to overhang, there’s a lot to think about, so we’ve narrowed down the essentials.
Leave sufficient space
Allow enough room for more than one person to move easily between the island and the cabinets around the kitchen perimeter. Ensure that you can open doors and drawers safely and aim to keep at least 1m between the island and surrounding walls or appliances.
Get the height right
An island should be high enough to be comfortable standing while cooking, as well as to pull up a stool. ‘Breakfast-bar height is typically in line with the worktop counter, with standard counter-high stools most common,’ says Lizzie Beesley at Magnet. ‘Bar-height stools are used at taller breakfast bar areas that are raised above worktop height as a feature seating area.’
Allow enough overhang
‘A typical overhang for a seating area should be 250-300mm, this will leave enough knee room and adequate space between the countertop edge and the person seated,’ adds Lizzie Beesley.
‘If a breakfast bar is a main dining space rather than an occasional seating area, then increase the depth of the overhang.’
Plan the prep areas
Work out which sections of your island are for preparation, cooking or socialising. You don’t want your guests by the bin or hob. ‘Keep the hob and sink in separate spaces to better define the social area and ensure any dirty dishes are out of focus,’ says Scott Peterson at HKUK.
Include plenty of sockets
This is a must. Do you need to be able to plug in a mixer? Will the toaster and juicer be behind closed doors? What about a charging drawer for phones?
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