Kitchen space is a dimension of its own. And although many people tend to give it a look that complements the overall house décor, there are many who give their kitchen a contrasting look when compared to that of the whole house. This is because a kitchen has its personality which shows the owners’ profess of cooking space. And one such component of personalized cooking space is a kitchen island.

Kitchen islands not only add to the countertop space but also to the storage capacity of the overall kitchen as well. Based on the size and configuration of the island, you can even go for a wholesale cabinet design as the island base and relocate some of your kitchen appliances like microwaves, etc. Moreover, the larger space allows you to integrate electrical appliances and plumbing itself. However, before opting for a kitchen island, it is strongly advised to find out if your kitchen layout can afford the island space or not.

Here Are 3 Recommended Points To Keep In Mind For A Kitchen Island:

1. Walking Space: The first thing to consider while going for a kitchen island is the walkway clearance. For easy access and cooking, it is recommended to have at least 30-36 inches of clearance between the edge of the island and the other runs of the kitchen. However, for the main walking spaces, it is suggested to maintain a width of 36 inches. This maintains the spacious look while allowing two people to pass by each other without having any trouble with squeezing themselves.

Kitchen islands can be installed with base cabinets as well. For example, opting for modern walnut cabinets and a granite countertop will give your island the perfect transitional appeal.

2. Seating Arrangement: If you are considering incorporating chairs for your kitchen islands in order to be used for meals, then this too has points to be kept in mind. The space required for a person to have a comfortable meal and the overhang length so that he or she can sit comfortably, are most important here. For the prior, it is recommended for the seats to have a space of 21 inches between them per person. For the later, keep in mind to have an overhang space of 10 to 14 inches.

A great way to complement your wholesale cabinet island is to opt for minimal-design wrought iron chairs. These go perfectly well with any kind of finish, traditional, modern or transitional.

3. Overall Kitchen Layout: Most kitchen layouts that are well-suited to a kitchen island are U-shaped, L-shaped, and open-concert (open-concert kitchens have no division between then and the dining room). Kitchens that are of a galley or have an existing peninsula can make it quite tricky to set up an island due to the limited space availability. However, if you already have a peninsula, there is no need for an island and compromise your kitchen space. The peninsula itself can act as the countertop space for laying out dishes and having meals.

As far as measurements are considered, on an average 9 inch by 11-inch open space, a 3 ft wide island is a good size to start.

Wholesale cabinet design in your island allows you to keep it clean when not in use. Their availability in different sizes and storage options makes for an easy access for both kitchen essentials and small to medium size kitchen appliances like mixers, grinders, etc.

Keeping the 3 above-mentioned tips in mind will help you decide on opting for a kitchen island. A kitchen island is, no doubt, a great addition to a personalized kitchen décor but do not compromise your space in search for utility as both of these go hand in hand.