A kitchen island unit— so much more than just storage
When it comes to planning for a new kitchen, if space permits, consider an island unit?
Offering so much more than just additional storage, long gone are the days when this area was simply classed as a ‘breakfast bar’. In fact, this trend has become ancillary, so if low level dining or an occasional breakfast bar is required, rather than being the main focal point, the seating area is seamlessly incorporated into the overall area.
FOR A KITCHEN THAT EPITOMISES STYLE, COMBINE A DEDICATED DINING, CASUAL BAR AREA AND PREPARATION IN YOUR CENTRAL ISLAND
Dividing the space…
When an island unit is either positioned centrally in the kitchen or offset to the perimeter units in an ‘L’ or ‘T’ shape configuration, it naturally acts as a room divider.
LONG GONE ARE THE DAYS WHEN AN ISLAND UNIT WAS JUST A ‘BREAKFAST BAR’This distinction of areas can be either clearly defined. By choosing to design the seating area furthest away from the central kitchen layout will give the illusion of two separate spaces for cooking and dining.
CITE CASUAL DINING TOWARDS THE MAIN KITCHEN AREA, TO MAXIMISE THE SOCIABLE SPACE
Equally, including items such as a sink or hob in the island will make it feel much more part of the overall kitchen layout.
Choose to have both and the layout will feel totally cohesive.
PRACTICAL, YET STYLISH, AN ISLAND UNIT CAN BE A PENINSULAR ‘T’ OR ‘L’ SHAPED TOO!
Extra storage and worksurfaces…
The main benefit of an island unit is the extra storage and worksurface space.
CHOOSE DRAWERS OR CUPBOARDS BELOW YOUR ISLAND WORKTOPWhether you choose cupboards, drawers, or a combination of both is totally up to you. That said, consideration must also be given to the practical use of the area. If an oversized worksurface is to provide a casual eating area, drawers will be impractical. Likewise, if the area is to be the main washing space, with an integrated dishwasher and sink above, when it comes to separating recyclables that have been rinsed, drawers are a much better choice.
AN OVERSIZED WORKTOP ON AN ISLAND IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO CITE CASUAL DINING
YOUR ISLAND UNIT WILL ACT AS A NATURAL DIVIDER IN YOUR KITCHEN
A great place to congregate…
A kitchen is a naturally sociable area where family and friends gather. If you choose to have an island unit, regardless of whether it’s a peninsular, it’s sure to be the area that everyone will migrate to.
AN ISLAND IS CERTAIN TO BE THE AREA IN YOUR KITCHEN PEOPLE AUTOMATICALLY MIGRATE TORather than having bodies ‘being in the way’ of your preparation and cooking, the island will be the obvious place for people to congregate.
LOVE TO COOK - YOUR ISLAND UNIT CAN EVEN HOUSE YOUR FAVOURITE RECIPE BOOKS!At Ray Munn Kitchens, our designers can envisage a new kitchen design, long before it’s actually drawn. We will be quickly able to advise whether your kitchen can accommodate an island unit, and indeed make the best use of your overall space, so get in touch and let Ray Munn Kitchens plan your new dream kitchen today!
