What is a Kitchen Island?
A kitchen island is freestanding cabinetry that is typically located at the center of a kitchen. The main design concept behind a kitchen island is to provide additional workspace and storage, and more room for those to gather around! Every kitchen island can be customized to fit a variety of styles and needs, with options to include built-in appliances, seating areas, and decorative features. Make your kitchen island the focal point and have it serve as a practical and stylish addition to your home.
What Appliances Do I Need?
A kitchen island is a versatile and functional addition to any kitchen, and choosing the right appliances to include can make it even more useful. Popular appliances to incorporate into a kitchen island include:
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Cooktop- For those of you that may be looking for maximum food preparation space, you should consider moving your cooktop to the island! This will give you ample space surrounding your cooktop for all your food prep needs!
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Range Hood - If you decide to move your cooktop to the island, you will need to be on the search for an island mount range hood! It’s important to remove that smoke and odor wherever your cooktop may be placed!
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Microwave Drawer - Enjoy the waist-height convenience of a microwave drawer! For optimized functionality think about placing your microwave drawer near your refrigerator or range so you can heat everything at once and slide it across the island!
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Sink - If you have minimal windows edging your kitchen, a popular choice is to move your sink to the island so you can face the rest of your home! This is an especially popular choice for those that enjoy entertaining, as you more easily face your guests!
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Dishwasher - If you decide to move your sink to the island, we always recommend having your dishwasher follow and sit on the right or left of the sink! This will make it far easier to transfer your dishes!
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Wine or Beverage Cooler - Enjoy easy access to wine if a cooler is placed inside your island! Eliminate the chance of getting in the cook's way, if the cooler is installed on the seating side.
Ultimately, the appliances you choose for your kitchen island will vary depending on your entertaining needs and we always recommend taking into account your kitchen layout and size.
5 Design Tips for Your Kitchen Island
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Size and Placement: For optimal functionality, it’s important to consider the size of your kitchen island and maintain proportions so you can achieve both the best style and maximize your space. With kitchen islands, you are also not restricted to the traditional rectangular shape, rather you can decide from L-shaped, square, curved-edge, irregular shape, or circular designs–the list is endless with the design!
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Lighting: Work lighting designs into your plan. Lighting is just as important as the other design elements, as you want to achieve optimal functionality while maintaining your aesthetics. Kitchen islands tend to be a place for many to prepare food prep, so it’s important to remember this when designing your kitchen.
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Seating and Storage: For those of you that enjoy hosting dinners, it’s important to consider a design that includes storage and plenty of seating surrounding. It’s important to optimize your island space with multiple drawers or shelves.
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Appliances: Clear the room on your surrounding counters or cabinets and consider placing your appliances on the island. For example, a range top with an island mount range hood would be a great option to place in your island. Eliminate both counter and wall space! When including appliances in your kitchen island, it's important to add electrical outlets to accommodate them all and others!
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Colors and Materials: Make your kitchen island the centerpiece! Kitchen islands are the perfect opportunity to include a pop of color in your kitchen or use a different material that will stand out from the rest of your cabinetry.
Top 8 of our Favorite Island-Friendly Appliances:
The ZLINE Convertible Vent Island Mount Range Hood is the superhero your kitchen island deserves! Enjoy the powerful motor and sleek stainless steel design., leaving your kitchen smoke and odor free! With the convertible design, you can decide whether to have a ducted or ductless venting system.
Explore Island Mount Range Hoods
Transform your kitchen into a sleek and stylish culinary paradise with the Faber Cylindra Isola Island Mount Range Hood. This stunning range hood features a cylindrical design that will elevate your kitchen island. The powerful motor ensures that all the smoke and odor from your kitchen will be efficiently removed leaving you with a clean, fresh smell!
Explore Island Mount Range Hoods
The ZLINE 36 in. Gas Cooktop is the perfect addition to any kitchen island! For those of you that are looking to cook up a storm, enjoy the 6 powerful gas burners and the easy-to-use knobs and sealed burners, making cleaning up a breeze!
The Empava 30 in. Induction Cooktop uses induction technology to heat up your delicious meals so quickly and efficiently. With the 30 in. model, you have 4 burners, which gives you plenty of space to prepare multiple dishes at once. Have peace of mind knowing the cooktop stays cool to the touch, so you don’t have to worry about any accidental burns.
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ZLINE 24 In. Monument Dual Zone 44-Bottle Wine Cooler in Stainless Steel with Wood Shelf (RWV-UD-24)
The ZLINE 24 in. Monument Wine Cooler is a perfect addition to your kitchen island design. The dual-zone temperature system allows you to store your favorite red and white wines at their optimal temperatures, leaving you to just enjoy! This design is also available as a beverage fridge, for those of you that enjoy other various chilled drinks!
The ZLINE 33 in. Moritz Farmhouse Apron Mount Single Bowl Kitchen Sink is the ultimate combination of style and functionality. This sink is perfect for a kitchen island, as it’s durable in construction, yet has a sleek design. This sink is even equipped with a bottom grid and various accessories (solid birch cutting board, sliding colander, and basket strainer). Don’t settle for an ordinary sink, upgrade to the ZLINE 33 in. Moritz Farmhouse Apron Mount Single Bowl Kitchen Sink.
The ZLINE Autograph Edition 30 in. Built-In Microwave Drawer is the perfect blend of form and function. With the sleek stainless steel finish and the option between champagne bronze, gold, or matte black accents, this microwave drawer will be sure to elevate your kitchen design. Enjoy the convenience of placing this appliance at waist height, making it a space-saving solution and less of a focal point.
The Forté 24 in. Microwave Drawer is the coolest way to cook, heat, or reheat your food! Enjoy the convenience of drawer-style access and plenty of space for those varieties of dish sizes. Say goodbye to boring, bulky microwaves and hello to the Forté Microwave Drawer - the ultimate kitchen gadget for foodies everywhere!
If you have any further questions regarding appliances and compatibility with your kitchen island designs, you can give us a call at 1 (866) 528-0571 or book a consultation with one of our many knowledge representatives here!
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