Weekly Design Inspiration: A Vacation from the Island

Since nothing lasts forever in design, it’s only natural that every few years, we reevaluate what we love about our homes and what isn’t working for us anymore. Although many of us can’t imagine our lives without our kitchen islands, some people are saying that island life needs to shift and readjust. Many people don’t live in new builds and it’s impractical to have an island with all of the gadgets as well as seating. Some people are just looking for something different! Today, we’re taking you through some of our favourite styles of islands that don’t require you to have a massive open-concept space.

FORM AND FUNCTION

For those of us who still want a statement island but are tight on space, we suggest doing an island that’s all about storage. This could mean that this is your hub where you keep your pots and pans, or it could be a piece that mixes storage with the freestanding look. Either way, this look doesn’t require the amount of space that an island with appliances or seating may require, so it’s perfect for kitchens that don’t have massive clearances.

Source: Amber Interiors

Source: Amber Interiors

AppL(IANCE) YOURSELF

It’s safe to say that panel-ready appliances will always have our hearts, but we also understand that there’s a price difference between panel-ready and stainless. If you don’t want to splurge on the paneling then we propose designing an appliance-packed island. This way, all of the under-counter appliances, like the microwave and the dishwasher, can face the back of the kitchen and it won’t be the first thing that you see when you walk in. We love a good design trick!

Source: ZDesign at Home

Source: Olive & Oak Interiors

PREP FOR LAUNCH

If you have multiple chefs in the family and find that the kitchen can get a little hectic at dinner time, then consider designing your island with zoning in mind. Focus on creating an island that serves a different purpose than the general kitchen. If you have little helpers that act as your sous chefs, then give them the space to help you prep! Add a prep sink and faucet to the island and perhaps a slab of butcher block or marble and you’ve got yourself a workflow!

Source: Studio Onyx

Source: Amanda Teal Design

Design Tip: The minimum distance that we like to put between the island and the perimeter counters is 42”, but 48” works better if there are 2+ people working at one time, so take that into account when planning!