Topping the list of must-haves in most kitchen renovations, an island is
the perfect value-added improvement, one that transforms the way you
use and enjoy the busiest room in your house.
At a minimum, an
island adds counter and storage space just where you need them: at the
pivot point between your kitchen's cooking, cleaning, and food-prep
zones. And outfitted with fixtures and appliances, such as a sink and
cooktop, or bar stools for dining, an island itself can become the hub
of activity. Such utility is the reason builders and designers say that
adding an island offers more bang for your buck than just about any
other kitchen upgrade.
The first kitchen islands in America date
to the colonial era. These simple worktables, situated near the hearth
of the home, were where families prepped meals and then sat down to
break bread. Even after the advent of built-in cabinetry, and well into
the first half of the 20th century, the island remained a freestanding
piece of furniture, often with a look and style all its own. The
tradition continues today, as islands often integrate materials, colors,
and design flourishes that are different from those of the surrounding
wall cabinets, making them the focal point of the space.
On the
following pages you'll find all the information and inspiration you
need to create a kitchen island that's right for you—from the critical
clearances for good traffic and workflow to the many ways you can
customize it to suit your particular space and the way you cook and
entertain.
A handcrafted island made of reclaimed chestnut stands apart from the painted wall cabinets.
Shown: Custom kitchen island, $15,000 (not including the countertop, sink, or faucet);
Crown Point Cabinetry.
Vitals
What's it cost?
Freestanding worktables or
rolling carts can be had for as little as $200. Basic built-in islands
made with stock cabinetry and butcher-block or stainless-steel counters
start at about $600. More features, larger sizes, and costly materials
can easily push the price above $5,000.
DIY or hire a pro?
Anyone
can put in a worktable or cart. An island assembled from cabinetry is
more of a challenge but doable for handy homeowners. Call in the pros
for custom configurations if you plan to have plumbing fixtures and
electric appliances or if you want a stone countertop (shown).
How big?
An
island ought to have enough counter space to meet your needs, look
proportional within the kitchen, and have ample pathways around its
perimeter. For smaller kitchens, a worktable or rolling cart may be a
better choice than a built-in.
Where to Put Your Island
Be sure to leave enough space on all sides to permit the free
flow of traffic all around it and between the key activity zones
centered around the stove, sink, and fridge.
Planning: Food-Prep Height
A 36-inch-high counter is standard, but 30 inches is best for
kneading and rolling out dough because you can apply more downward
force.
Planning: Dining and Cooking Dimensions
The higher a counter, the less overhang it needs. (Knees bend
less on tall stools). The distance between the seat and the top of the
counter is always the same—12 inches—which puts the surface at a
comfortable height for eating.
Island Types: Working
These furniture pieces, styled after vintage worktables, often
have drawers and open shelves. Their "see-through" design takes up less
visual space but makes it hard to hide utility lines.
Price: From $200 for a stainless-steel table to more than $3,000 for a custom wood one with turned legs and a stone top.
Similar to shown: Carrara Marble Kitchen Island with built-in wine rack, 24 by 49 inches, $1,399;
NapaStyle
Island Types: Storage
A basic freestanding or built-in island provides counter and
cabinet space without the expense of sinks or major appliances. Open
shelves, as shown here,
can keep cookbooks and dishes handy.
Price: Starting at about $300 for a movable prefab unit and $800 for a semicustom built-in, not including the countertop.
Similar to shown: Belmont White Kitchen Island with sliding doors, 20½ by 44¼ inches, $499;
Crate & Barrel
Island Types: Prep and Wash
Sinks make islands ideal for washing hands and food and
bartending for parties. Tuck bar sinks, like this one, into corners to
maximize counter space. Give full-size sinks at least 1 foot of counter
on both sides.
Price: Built-ins with sinks
tend to be bigger than storage units—at least 4 feet long—and pricier,
about $1,000 and up. Sink, faucet, and counter are extra.
Similar to shown: Custom, painted-maple island, 24 by 48 inches, starting at $1,500;
Plain & Fancy
Island Types: Dining
An overhanging counter for casual eating needs space for knees,
for diners to scoot chairs back, and for seating—at least 24 inches for
each chair.
Price: About $800 for a prefab freestanding dining island to more than $5,000 for a custom built-in without a countertop.
Similar to shown: Broyhill Color Cuisine Kitchen Island with slide-out dining table, 30 by 56 inches, in nine colors, starting at $1,289;
Wayfair
Island Types: Cooking
A cooktop on an island turns the chef toward the center of the
room so that he can keep an eye on the action. But unlike a range by a
wall, a cooking island leaves hot pans more exposed and will cost more
to ventilate.
Price: These built-ins are bigger than sink islands and typically cost $1,200 to $7,000, not including the cooktop or counter.
Similar to shown: Semi-custom maple island with cabinets and open shelves, 30 by 60 inches, about $1,200;
HomeCrest Cabinetry
Island Type: Cooking and Eating
If you plan to cook and dine on an island, opt for a raised
eating counter to create a safety buffer against an open flame or
scalding steam.
DIY: Movable Cart
It rolls into place on locking casters when you need it and out
of the way when you don't. Most are small—24 by 36 inches—making them
good for tight kitchens.
Similar to shown: John Boos Cucina Culinarte kitchen cart with butcher-block top, $519;
Wayfair
DIY: Stock Cabinets
To build your own island with a couple of home-center base
cabinets, just place
them back-to-back, shim them level, and screw them
together. Cover the sides with end panels and the top with a counter.
Similar to shown:
Two 30-inch American Classics base cabinets in
oak with drawers and
end panels, $185 each, and Stonemark Absolute Black granite countertop,
$70 per square foot;
The Home Depot
L-Shaped
This configuration allows various activity zones to occupy a
single island; one leg can have a cooktop, the other, a bar sink. Or
devote one leg to food prep and one to dining. Here, the legs are topped
with different counter materials set at varying heights and are
connected by a raised block just for chopping.
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