Kitchen Island Designs from Longhorn Cabinets

Kitchen Island Designs
The kitchen island is a stand alone cabinet or grouping in the middle of the kitchen providing counter space, convenience, and storage space. In larger kitchens where there is adequate space there are often double islands. Most often the island used to separate the kitchen from the living room will have seating to be used much like a breakfast table. If the kitchen island has a cook-top, sink, under-counter microwave or other appliance then it also accommodates the convenience of preparation while socializing with guests. There are endless uses and endless design options for kitchen islands.
According to the National Association of Home-builders (NAHB),
· kitchen islands are one of the most popular kitchen design features among today's consumers.
· 80% of New home buyers consider a kitchen island to be an absolute must.
Kitchen island ideas include rolling islands that can be used where a larger island won't fit, breakfast bars, furniture like features, counter tops of granite or butcher block with shapes from traditional rectangle to square, rounded or oval. A kitchen island can have the same design as the main counter or it can have its own unique design, color or wood species.
New home buyers aren't the only ones that should consider a kitchen island design for their kitchen. Some older homes with limited space can also benefit by having a more open looking kitchen by lowering existing walls halfway to form islands between the kitchen and other living spaces.
Some features to consider in adding a kitchen island that include the oven or cook top as the main component
· you might want to consider a kitchen exhaust hood over your island or if possible one of the new down draft exhaust fans
· The island should be well lit. Your kitchen island plan should provide locations for lighting in the ceiling as well as around the kitchen exhaust hood.
· Electrical switches and outlets. A kitchen island can be an ideal area for additional outlets for kitchen appliances.
· Storage and shelves.
You can create your own dream kitchen or communicate your design ideas to a kitchen design professional.
By Kathy Lloyd owner of Longhorn Cabinets Inc. For design assistance call 928-308-8631 or stop by 7485 1st St Prescott Valley (inside B & L Flooring) for style and options available.
Authors Note: kitchen islands have become a very popular feature. Depending on the size, islands are the perfect way of combining usability with design aspects.