Kitchen Feature: Versatile Island
Kitchen Feature: Versatile Island
No matter if it's a villa or a large flat, as long as there's space for an open kitchen, you'll almost always find the presence of a kitchen island. The kitchen island possesses both functionality and aesthetics, making it a popular choice among many homeowners. How can we make the best use of a kitchen island? And what are some design tips and styles for it?
1. Definition of a Kitchen Island
The design of kitchen islands is increasingly favored by the younger generation. They extend the kitchen area to prepare light meals and serve as an essential platform for family communication. A kitchen island does not have a specific concept or definition; it is essentially a small countertop in an open kitchen. You can think of it as a part of the kitchen, which can be customized according to your needs.
2. Types of Kitchen Islands
Kitchen islands, also known as central islands, originated from Western-style kitchens and come in three main types: freestanding central island, partitioned full/half peninsula, and table extension island.
Freestanding Central Island: Often referred to as the "central island," it usually exists in the form of a "freestanding cabinet" located in the center of the kitchen. The primary cooking and food preparation processes revolve around it. It's common to create concave or protruding designs on the island to enhance its volume and artistic appeal.
Suitable for spacious, large open kitchens.
Partitioned Full/Half Peninsula: This type of island is commonly found in open kitchens and is often connected to a wall or cabinets, forming a semi-peninsula. It increases and extends the countertop workspace and serves as a useful partition, optimizing the kitchen's workflow.
Suitable for smaller kitchen spaces, where common "I-shaped" kitchens can be transformed into "L-shaped" or "L-shaped" kitchens can be converted into "U-shaped" ones using this type of extension method.
Table Extension Island: This island design utilizes the kitchen space to extend the island, connecting it to a dining table, creating a seamless dining and kitchen island integration. The island can serve as both a workstation and an auxiliary dining table, providing versatile functionality. For larger spaces, it is ideal to make the table extension longer to cater to various activities like dining, socializing, studying, playing, and enjoying tea time. This form is currently highly popular and trendy, often sought after by home design enthusiasts.
Suitable for irregular kitchen layouts and small to medium-sized kitchens, where combining dining functionality with the island creates a common dining island.
3. Functions of a Kitchen Island
Practical Use: Placing a kitchen island in the kitchen serves to increase the cooking countertop area. A kitchen island can be equipped with power outlets and a sink. The power outlets allow for easy use of devices such as hot pots and charging electronic gadgets without the need for extension cords like traditional dining tables. The sink facilitates food washing and cup cleaning, providing convenience and practicality in a spacious setup.
Storage: The island's surface can be used for cooking, while its cabinets or drawers can provide storage space for items such as cups, bowls, or food, making access very convenient.
Substitute for Dining Table: Using the kitchen island as a dining area eliminates the need for a separate dining space, saving room that would have been allocated for a dining room.
Partition: Kitchen islands inherently act as partitions, especially in open kitchens. Placing an island between the kitchen and dining area effectively divides the spaces, allowing for smoother workflows and creating a more diverse living environment. In summary, having an open kitchen with a kitchen island can provide a completely different living experience.
Extra Space: During cooking, the kitchen island serves as a convenient and practical "workstation." During mealtime, there's no need to run between the kitchen and dining area. Adding a water dispenser next to it transforms it into a "water bar," making it convenient for daily activities like drinking water or brewing tea without having to go to the kitchen.
4. Dimensions of a Kitchen Island
Height: Standard dining table height is generally around 75cm. Kitchen islands are typically higher than dining tables, ranging from 75cm to 100cm. To facilitate socket and switch placement, there is usually a height difference of around 18cm.
Width: The countertop should be at least 70cm wide, with a comfortable width ranging from 80cm to 90cm. This allows enough space to accommodate a sink and built-in dishwasher or other appliances.
Space Distance: For island and table combinations, to reserve sufficient activity space, the distance between the island and the right-side dining cabinet should be 70cm, while the distance from the left side should be 100cm.
For independent kitchen islands with a sink: The distance between the island and the refrigerator and cabinets is generally around 80-110cm. The same distance is maintained on the other side of the island and the refrigerator to ensure that cabinet doors do not obstruct each other.
For islands combining storage and partition functions: Leave at least 80cm distance to the aisle. According to ergonomics, the passage width for adults carrying items should be around 75cm. At least 80cm allows for free movement.
5. Materials for Kitchen Islands
Stone: Common materials include natural marble and engineered stones like quartz and slate. Among them, quartz is the most cost-effective and widely used in the market.
Wood: Wooden materials often offer excellent visual effects. However, kitchen islands made of wood may crack or mold due to temperature and humidity effects. Therefore, waterproof and anti-bacterial treatment is essential. It is recommended to use fire-resistant boards. Wood is commonly used in wardrobe islands.
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel has a long service life and is easy to clean. However, its design style is somewhat limited, making it more suitable for modern industrial styles; otherwise, it may give a cheap, industrial kitchen impression. Additionally, stainless steel is prone to scratches and produces significant noise when in contact with metal cutlery.
