Kitchen Islands With The Wow Factor

July 19th, 2022
by The Pentland Kitchen Company

A kitchen island is on the wish-lists of many homeowners. In fact, it probably won't come as a surprise that people often know they want an island before they even choose a colour scheme!

According to real estate experts, buyers are often willing to pay more for a home that features a well-designed kitchen island.

With this in mind, here are some tips on incorporating an island into your kitchen design.

Transform the kitchen into a social space.

An island is a perfect spot for extra seating. Whether it's a couple of stools on the edge or more formal seating around an add-on dining table, adding seating makes the kitchen more inviting and ideal for entertaining.

Limited space? Create an island peninsula.

Such is the demand for an island; it's not unusual for our customers to ask for one, even when they know they haven't got the space.

The answer? A peninsula.

It's essentially a kitchen island attached to one wall, making it an excellent option for small kitchens.

While it won't give you the same flexibility as a freestanding island, a peninsula can still provide extra worktop space and storage. Here's a recent project where we incorporated a wine rack within the 'island'.

Mix textures to add depth, dimension, and interest on your kitchen island.

Mixing textures is one of the easiest ways to add depth, contrast and impact to your kitchen, and the island gives you the perfect opportunity to do this.

For example, pairing a wooden breakfast bar with a sleek quartz or granite worktop or mixing a glossy worktop with matt finish cabinetry adds an extra dimension to the kitchen design.

Make your kitchen island accessible for the whole family.

If your kitchen is on the small side, or one of your family has limited mobility, an island might seem like an impossible option. One solution we found for a recent client with this issue was to make the island more accessible by adding a lower wraparound breakfast bar in oak on one end.

Make the space multifunctional.

An island can be used for food prep, dining, storage, or even a workspace. Incorporating features like shelves, drawers, cabinets, or a wine fridge maximises its functionality.

Additionally, it’s crucial to consider everyone who is going to be using the kitchen in some way. Perhaps you’re part of a large family, in which case it may be an idea to consider a second sink on the kitchen island. Or are you a keen chef, and like to cook whilst you entertain? If so, a hob on the island is a definite consideration. And don't forget those extra plug sockets for any teenagers who may be surgically attached to their iPhones!

Use the kitchen island as a focal point.

Choose materials and finishes that will make your island stand out and become a focal point in the room. Contrasting cabinets or a unique worktop material (such as a quartz surface with sparkle detail) can help set your kitchen island apart.

Alternatively, try adding metal accents or using a unique finish on the cabinetry. Adding some glass doors or open shelving can also help to add interest. Lastly, add some stylish stools and fun accessories to give your island personality.