Form and Function: The Benefits of Kitchen Islands

by Ryan
(Baltimore, MD)

If you are looking for a way to give you kitchen a unique look while also making it easier to get things done, you might want to consider a kitchen island.

Not only do you add what can easily be a unique centerpiece to one of the home's most used rooms, but having one in the center of your kitchen could easily make it easier to get things done.

But how do you make sure that the island you want to install is one that's just right for your needs?

Because there are so many styles, designs, and materials for kitchen islands available to homeowners who want take advantage of what these popular fixtures can do, it can often be a daunting task making the right choice.

This article will show you the benefits of kitchen islands as well as what you should be looking for when you're trying to find the right one for your own kitchen.

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What Islands Do For You

There are a number of ways that your kitchen stands to benefit from having an island placed in your kitchen.

- First and foremost, an island is a good place for additional storage. If you have more gadgets than you know what to do with, many kitchen islands have cabinets and drawers that allow you to store come of those gadgets.

- If you often have people over, you can use your kitchen island for extra seating.

There's no reason for your guests to have to stand all the time. Complementing your kitchen island with extra seats will ensure that everyone is always made to feel at home when you have people over.

- By having the island act as an additional work area, you can increase your efficiency in doing work around the kitchen.

When cooking large meals, time and space are crucial. Having an island in your kitchen not only gives you another place to work, it makes it so that you have to take fewer steps between the different areas.

These are just a few of the advantages that you can benefit from when it comes to kitchen islands, but it pays to look at the designs that are on the market so that you get everything you need.

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Things to Consider

Just like any other purchase for your home, you want to get as many features as you'll need and avoid the things that you'll most likely not be using.

Because kitchen islands are so versatile, your options are nearly endless. You can help narrow down your choices by considering your needs and keeping the following in mind:

- The type of material that makes up your island's countertop can depend entirely on whether you intend to use it more for preparation or you want the island to be more of an eye catcher.

More cost effective surface material can be something like laminate for its cost effectiveness and the fact that it's easy to clean, or you can go with something like granite, which is as beautiful as it is durable.

- Do you need portability? If so, then you may want to consider a rolling kitchen island over a stationary design. The rolling design will allow you to use extra floor space when you need it, but you may not be able to take advantage of some of the benefits that station kitchen islands provide.

- Do you need extra features? Many kitchen islands offer extra features like towel racks and smaller storage space for things like hand soap and utensils.

Beyond that, some stationary kitchen islands can include fixtures like sinks, stoves, electrical outlets, and countless other amenities that you can use to make tasks easier.

- Have you thought about your kitchen lighting when considering your island? There are many different types of lighting available for use in the kitchen. In the case of an island, you may want to consider task lighting as the type that you suspend over it, but other types may be appropriate as well. It all depends on your circumstances and the overall design of your kitchen.


No matter what you need from a kitchen island, there's likely something out there that's perfect for you.

With the number of designs, you should be able to find something that makes your life easier and beautifies your home's kitchen at the same time!

Kenwood Kitchens and Bath Design Studio in Baltimore, MD: http://www.kenwoodkitchens.com.