Kitchen islands Ideas are floating around everywhere ... in magazines, on TV and on the web. Because your kitchen is the center of your home and the hub for your life at home. You entertain, cook, eat and you maybe even read your mail, pay bills and surf the internet there!
Well, if you don't have an island, and your kitchen is larger than 8' x 12' you should consider building one.
If you have the skills and/or the money, you might think about making it a functioning island too, meaning, build in a sink, oven or a range top while you're at it. After all, the kitchen island is the meeting place for so many events. The image below shows the two sides of the island; the living side and the kitchen side. Notice the different functions of each side and the scope of possibilities this allows.
Of course, the drawing above is just a suggestion, and your kitchen islands ideas and construction depends on several things. Before you commit to paper, and especially to serious design, discuss with your family just how you all actually use your kitchen. Islands ideas, photos and entire websites devoted to this are all over the place, but once the island is in, its "in." And your kitchen is changed forever. So, be absolutely sure its the size, shape and in the best position it can be in regard to the space and the people involved. Its easy to do, and its important.
First, make a blueprint of what's there now. This will be your kitchen islands ideas generator. With a legal pad or graph paper, a pencil and a tape measure, start by measuring the walls and, if its open on one side, that space as well. You should end up with some sort of box. Next, draw the countertops—length and depths (Dwg. 1 below). Its not necessary to draw cabinets or windows (unless that helps locating sink, range, etc), and write in as many dimensions as you can.
Make copies of this layout before you draw in any of your kitchen islands ideas so they won't seem precious to you and you'll be freer to "make mistakes" and pitch 'em if another idea pops up. Graph paper comes in handy here because you can simply count the squares for measurements. Of all the kitchen islands, ideas, designs and drawings, a 48" (+/-) x 24" (+/-) seemed to work best (copy).
I added a 2'x2' extension to the countertop (dotted lines) just for fun, but it might be a good idea if this island replaces a breakfast nook. More storage, a place to gather, another nice working surface and maybe bistro seating for two or three.
Lighting your new island is another story, though. See what's available at Kitchen Lighting Tips. Here you'll find free expert advice on ways to get better island lighting, how to blend in new lighting with what you have and lots of great info!
For a broad look at the many individual areas of remodeling your kitchen, click on Kitchen Remodel. Here you'll find free expert advice on ways to give your kitchen a fresh look, how to blend in new ideas with what you already have, pricing breakdowns and other great kitchen remodel tips!
Click on any of the links below (or search "kitchen islands ideas") for more ideas and tips on things you can do to remodel and decorate your kitchen. If you have any kitchen islands ideas or tips that you think people might benefit from or helpful remodeling tips you'd like to share, please send them to us. Click here.
