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KITCHEN
ISLANDS |
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CINCINNATI HOME
REMODELING
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Find pictures of kitchen
islands and ideas on Cincinnati home remodeling to make your kitchen island one of the
most functional and beautiful aspects of your kitchen
Featuring Corian ® Countertops
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Kitchen islands are perhaps the most
sought-after items homeowners look for in a kitchen during home remodeling. A kitchen
island provides extra counter space and cabinet space, needed
in almost all kitchens. Equally important, kitchen islands allow
for decorative spaces and opportunities to create a certain style.
Different shapes, including inset areas, corner posts, and different
countertop surfaces such as granite add interest and personality.
They can turn a typical kitchen into a kitchen that goes WOW!
Larger islands are becoming more
popular. If wide enough, it is a convenient area to place a stovetop.
Kitchen islands can feature wine racks, cookbook shelves, eating
areas, and bar sinks. The kitchen island is often the best place
to install a dual trash and recycling bin.
It is most common in kitchen island
design to put the island at a single level, at a height equal
to the rest of the countertops. This can be the most functional
height, allowing a large area for preparing dishes, rolling dough,
and serving a party. A second level, sometimes 6 inches higher,
is often designed. This extra height provides a separate eating
area to be used with bar stools and can hide dirty dishes from
the main gathering area.
Kitchen islands enable you to organize the
work areas into an efficient working
triangle.
Design
the island so that you have a minimum of 42" around the entire
island, 48" is ideal. This is especially important in front of
working areas such as refrigerators and sinks. You need to have
a minimum of 36". A space of 36" could work in front of one side
of the island next to a set of cabinets. Try to allow 48" next
to a planning desk. A big mistake is made when kitchen islands
are increased, and the working space and aisle ways are too crowded.
It is better to reduce the size of the island, or sometimes, not
include an island at all. The absolute minimum is to have 10'
between cabinet walls. If you do not have the space, you can consider
designing a peninsula instead. Noll Remodeling sometimes tears
down a wall of an adjoining room to steal a couple feet, in order
to make room for a kitchen island and achieve the necessary space
for it to be livable. To get a feel for your workspace, it is
a good idea to place masking tape on the floor where the base
cabinets, appliances, and island are to be placed. You can also
add chairs or boxes where cabinets will go.
The countertop surface and cabinets
can be different than the rest of the kitchen if you prefer. Often
times homeowners prefer to have granite or tile on the island
instead of a solid surface or laminate, so hot dishes from the
oven or stove can be conveniently placed on it. An important element
in kitchen island design is to add pendant lights above the island.
These lights serve as a decorative feature and provide ambient
light. Don't forget to include an electrical outlet on one end
or both ends. Kitchen islands are a perfect place to use mixers,
pancake griddles, and other small appliances.