ISLAND PARADISE
Good kitchen feature design requires care and creativity
Islands may well be the hardest working and most versatile aspect of your kitchen. Whether you need storage, prep space, more seating or a visual divider, kitchen islands can serve it all up with the style worthy of the star of your show.
Nowadays, homeowners are limited only by imagination — and, of course, budget — when it comes to combining materials, finishes, colors, sizes and shapes into an island paradise. Following are a few approaches we encourage you to consider when designing a new kitchen or remodeling your current space.
But first, a couple of technical reminders: Be sure there is ample clearance around your island and think carefully about whether you want a sink or cooktop on it. That placement may make the most sense, but it may create an eyesore for people seated at the island. If you feel you need a water source, perhaps a bar sink at one end is the way to go.
Most islands are rectangular, but they don’t have to be. Consider more fluid, curving shapes to add a flowing sense of movement to your rectilinear kitchen. Or how about the opposite, like a geometric chevron shape?
If you aren’t ready to fully embrace the sculptural form, maybe a rectangular island with a curving bar on one side is better. Not only can this be an elegant look, but it also allows those seated at the ends to better see the other diners and feel more connected. If you have enough clearance on one long side and one short end, you can create an L-shaped bar to bring diners closer together for a more sociable gathering.
Also contributing dynamic movement is a waterfall edge countertop — at one end or both — which gives the appearance of a seamless flow from the horizontal surface to the vertical drop.
This is a particularly dramatic approach if you choose a deeply veined slab large enough to let the veining “fall” right over the edge. In a twist on this trend, we are starting to see waterfalls that flow over the edge but don’t extend to the floor. If you add extra width to the countertop, the overhang provides a place for dining.
Scale is important. If your kitchen is large, you don’t want your island to appear overwhelmed. A thick or “chunky” countertop can add visual presence and heft. Mitered strips around the edges give the impression of a top several inches thick without the additional weight.
If you choose wood for the base, you can certainly paint or stain it. But why not consider
oiled vertical slats for an on-trend look with a mouthwatering luster; tongue-and-groove paneling for some farmhouse charm; or legs, feet and other furniture details for a family heirloom vibe? If you paint, consider a bold color. As with a powder room, the relatively small size of an island means you can be a bit more daring with color or pattern and luxe materials; you won’t require a lot of them.
Mixing materials can spice things up, provided you don’t get too carried away with contrasting colors and finishes. Juxtaposing, say, stained wood, painted wood, and stone or tile, especially if two of those are repeated nearby, can lend loads of visual interest while still creating harmony.
Many islands offer longitudinal seating, but if your space is large enough, consider a T-shaped island, perhaps with contrasting countertop materials, to visually join, but functionally separate, the food prep and dining functions. You can do this even if you stay with a more traditional rectangle. The dining area can drop down in height if you prefer chairs to counter stools or barstools. If surrounding space is no object, consider a banquette on one side of your island with a detached but integrated dining table and chairs.
Remember that everything on and near the island will either contribute to or detract from its impact, so think carefully about hardware, fixtures, appliances and overhead lighting. If pendant lighting is your choice, choose an odd number. And, as long as the kitchen is bright enough overall, statement lighting offset to one end of the island contributes unexpected asymmetrical sophistication.
Since storage is generally a prime purpose of an island, we urge you to incorporate a variety of closed cabinets, drawers, and open shelving for maximum flexibility and function.
And, finally, given our tech-infused world, consider extra sockets and charging points in your island for both homework and work-at-home.