You may have what feels like the world’s smallest kitchen in your holiday home or brand-new retirement bungalow – but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a kitchen island.
Even if your kitchen is in a galley style or it’s an awkward L-shape, you can still have that longed-for island. It’s just a matter of rearranging things and adding a small but bespoke kitchen island. And here’s how:
Add a sink to the island.
The addition of a sink in your kitchen island means you can free up space where it was originally situated in your kitchen. For a start it provides you with far more worktop space. It will also give the illusion of the room being slightly larger.
Add a hob
Having a hob on your kitchen island has become very fashionable these days. That’s because it’s practical as well as a clever way to make space. Cooking when looking out into the room where the family or friends are seated feels more sociable and inclusive. And, if there’s enough space for prepping and plating then you don’t require a lot of worktop space either. An integrated bin and cutlery drawer are good ideas too.
Look skywards to the ceiling
If you really don’t have a lot of storage space in your small kitchen then why not use the ceiling to hang pots and pans from? This is a common stylist trick for Mediterranean kitchens and there’s no reason why it can’t work here in the UK either. Just make sure you get your rack professionally hung so it doesn’t land on top of your guests at some point in the future…
Get a narrow island
Installing a slim kitchen island means, again, that it’s all about food prep or cooking rather than sitting down and eating at. Just make sure you still have the space when kitchen drawers are pulled open etc.
@thespruceofficial: “From prepping meals quicker to practical storage, a small kitchen island adds functionality to a compact cooking space.”
Blend your island with your cabinets
By adding panelling to your island, you can make it the same as the cabinets. The uniformity will allow it to look as if it was built at the same time as the rest of the kitchen and therefore designed to fit, rather than being a clever afterthought.
Get serene with seating
Have an island where you can store seating under the two short ends. That way it’s avoiding any cupboard doors or drawers and having the seats tucked underneath when not in use means they’re not at the long end of the island using up valuable space.
Get a breakfast bar built
A slimline kitchen island makes a perfect bar, and it can also work its magic as a room divider in an open-plan space, providing a bit more definition all round.
Have a modular and mobile kitchen island
A moveable kitchen island gives you the option to put it in another room when you’re feeling a bit crowded out in the kitchen. The type of furniture that works best here include a deep console, tall sideboard or a specially made bespoke piece.
Get clever with colours
Paint the kitchen island the same materials, colour and shade as the cabinetry and worktops; the result will be a seamless look for the eye to take in when you enter the room. This in itself gives the impression of more space. Make it more fun with a bold accent colour, such as purple leather tops on the seats and the matching shade as a wall colour or the shade of your backsplash.
Open shelving feels ‘roomier’
Open shelving opens up a space and makes it feel a lot more roomy than closed cupboards. So, when you do have your kitchen island built, do so with open shelving all round. Wicker baskets are a lovely touch for storing items, such as tea towels etc on open shelving.
What about a freestanding kitchen island?
If your kitchen island isn’t joined to the rest of your cabinetry then a free-standing island gives you a lot more options space-wise. A freestanding island can be combined with lots of storage space including a wine rack and plenty of cupboards.
Bag a Butchers block
A butcher’s block which you can move around when you need space in a particular area of the kitchen, makes perfect sense for a small kitchen. Use it to eat or prep on then move out the way or to another room when it’s no longer in use, allowing you to free up space in the kitchen.
In conclusion, it’s perfectly possible to add a handy island to a small kitchen. Just make sure you have enough space between the island and the cabinets. Around 1200mm should provide a good flow.
If you’d like to find out how an island could complete your luxury kitchen, get in touch today.
For more information about Bryan Turner Kitchen Furniture and accessories, give us a call at 01953 660762 and speak to a member of our expert team today or Email us at enquiries@bryanturnerkitchens.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
