It's quite common in most contemporary kitchens to find an "island" - essentially a standalone workspace, usually occupying the centre of the kitchen. There are a number of compelling arguments in favour of having a kitchen island, but also a number of other points to consider as well.
One of the most obvious benefits of a kitchen island is additional working and storage space. Having kitchen units set against walls limits the amount of available space, especially when you also have to take windows and doors into consideration.
It is also self-evident that helping to connect otherwise disconnected zones and making the kitchen simply seem more interesting is another benefit worth having. If all your work surfaces and kitchen units are spread out against the walls it can make a kitchen look, well, hollow.
Some people use their kitchen island as an additional work area and install sinks, hobs and ovens etc, while others prefer to style it as a formal dining area or simply a place to gather round. But whatever you choose, an island provides a perfect excuse to introduce some stunning lighting effects.
One of the simplest, most popular and effective techniques is to simply suspend kitchen pendant lights from the ceiling. These can not only provide functional lighting when either working or eating at the island, but serve as decorative features in their own right.
And there is also the perfect excuse to sneak in some LED lighting, without which no kitchen that aspires to be modern dares to be seen these days. What better place to try out some floor level lights or a plinth light strip than a centre-stage feature such as a kitchen island?
But although it is hard to think of a single measure to lift the appearance and usefulness of a kitchen that rivals installing a kitchen island, it's not always the right choice. Especially if your kitchen is modestly proportioned then you need to reconsider a few options.
This is not to say that a smaller kitchen won't necessarily benefit from the introduction of an island, just that you should ensure you're not losing space you can ill afford, making the space tight and uncomfortable and basically incorporating something that looks like it doesn't belong. An island should always integrate with a kitchen, not dominate it. - 32406
One of the most obvious benefits of a kitchen island is additional working and storage space. Having kitchen units set against walls limits the amount of available space, especially when you also have to take windows and doors into consideration.
It is also self-evident that helping to connect otherwise disconnected zones and making the kitchen simply seem more interesting is another benefit worth having. If all your work surfaces and kitchen units are spread out against the walls it can make a kitchen look, well, hollow.
Some people use their kitchen island as an additional work area and install sinks, hobs and ovens etc, while others prefer to style it as a formal dining area or simply a place to gather round. But whatever you choose, an island provides a perfect excuse to introduce some stunning lighting effects.
One of the simplest, most popular and effective techniques is to simply suspend kitchen pendant lights from the ceiling. These can not only provide functional lighting when either working or eating at the island, but serve as decorative features in their own right.
And there is also the perfect excuse to sneak in some LED lighting, without which no kitchen that aspires to be modern dares to be seen these days. What better place to try out some floor level lights or a plinth light strip than a centre-stage feature such as a kitchen island?
But although it is hard to think of a single measure to lift the appearance and usefulness of a kitchen that rivals installing a kitchen island, it's not always the right choice. Especially if your kitchen is modestly proportioned then you need to reconsider a few options.
This is not to say that a smaller kitchen won't necessarily benefit from the introduction of an island, just that you should ensure you're not losing space you can ill afford, making the space tight and uncomfortable and basically incorporating something that looks like it doesn't belong. An island should always integrate with a kitchen, not dominate it. - 32406
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