Designing Your Custom Kitchen Island: 5 Thoughtful Tips
Creating your custom kitchen island is a big job. Having an island that is functional, efficient, and gorgeous in your kitchen floor plan will make your kitchen elegant and dreamy. The kitchen island makes a great centerpiece and you can design your entire kitchen to compliment the aesthetic of your island.
Adding bar seating to your kitchen island invites more opportunities to gather in the kitchen and can set the bar for inviting new traditions and relaxing daily routines. You can incorporate space-saving storage into your custom island and even time- and step-saving functionality by including a slide-away wastebasket and a convenient sink.
Here are 5 of our best tips for designing your dream kitchen island.
CHOOSE AN EASY-CARE MATERIAL
Choosing the material for your dream kitchen island can be tricky. Our clients love easy-wipe services. Make your island as long as possible without adding a seam for a flawless finish. A good durable natural stone is a great option when choosing material for your kitchen island. Your island will receive high mileage if designed correctly so make sure to choose materials that will last under wear and tear. Choose high-quality sink and faucet fixtures that are durable and made to last.
GET THE PROPORTIONS RIGHT THE FIRST TIME
Make sure your kitchen island is proportionate to the rest of the kitchen. A too large kitchen might mean not enough space from countertop to countertop.
Here are a few golden rule guidelines when drawing up the dimensions of your ideal kitchen island:
Maintain a minimum of 39 inches around the island.
The height of the island should be between 36 and 37 inches.
The minimum width for an island is 36 inches and the minimum length is 47 inches.
The countertop should be between ¾ inch and 3 inches thick.
Allow 12-inches of under-counter space if you are adding bar seating.
INCLUDE POWER OUTLETS FOR APPLIANCES
Think about how you’ll use the kitchen counter. Make a list of what appliances you’ll want to be able to utilize from your island. Make sure your outlets and appliances have a spot and that they are well-placed so they don’t spoil the aesthetic of your gorgeous countertops. A charging drawer can also be a great addition here so that you’ll have a place to charge your phone when looking up recipes and cook times. A charging block that blends in with the vibe of your island can be another great addition here. You will never be upset by having extra outlets and charging options in this space so make sure you add a few spare outlets. This is a great way to add functionality and flexibility to this workspace.
ADD DRAWERS AND CABINETRY
Think about what you’d like to store under your kitchen island. Add a drawer for the waste basket underneath your meal prep area so you can sweep away cuttings seamlessly. Add a charging drawer and drawers for any items that you’ll frequently use on your kitchen island. Cabinets are also great space savers. There are many storage options including pan racks, hangers, and sorters. Make a list of everything you store in your kitchen and use regularly and then make sure there’s a sensible storage solution for that item.
CONSIDER ADDING SPACIOUS SEATING
If you’ll be using your island as a breakfast bar, consider adding more overhanging area to your counter space to accommodate seating. A longer, double-island with bar seating will work wonderfully here. Make sure the length of the island will accommodate the number of stools that you wish to have here. Allow extra wiggle room for elbows, knees, and for getting onto and off of the stool. Consider whether you’d like to have the seating area closer to the pantry or the fridge. Envision exactly how you plan to use your kitchen island and make considerations from there.
READY TO BUILD YOUR CUSTOM KITCHEN ISLAND?
The professionals at Creative Home Designers are ready to help you bring your dream kitchen island and home to life. We can customize a kitchen floorplan and home design to meet your unique needs. We help you by maximizing the efficiency, flow, and design of your customized island and home within your lot size—and we’ll make it look great.
Call us today for a consultation. We’ll begin by discussing your vision for your custom home and then we’ll get to work creating a design and plan just for you. We can even offer a 3D rendering of your home design to help you envision your future home. Then, due to our extensive Oklahoma network, we can connect you with trusted builders and providers who will see you through to the finish line. Click here to browse more of our creative home designs.