Adding a kitchen island can be a valuable kitchen remodeling project that can greatly improve the value of your home. Here is what you need to know about building an island.

Kitchen islands are more popular than ever before. If you have the space to add one in, they give you so many benefits.

If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, then now’s the time to think about adding one in.

Here’s everything you need to know about they types of islands, the dimensions, and the appliances available.

The Benefits Of Adding A Kitchen Island

Firstly you need to know why so many people are adding a kitchen island to their home.

1. Value 

Firstly, they add a huge amount of value to your home. They’re the best addition you can make to your kitchen if you’re looking to improve the value of your home.

Even if you’re not thinking of selling your home right now, it’s worth doing. Buyers want a kitchen island more than anything else in a new home.

2. Versatility

Next, they’re incredibly versatile.

You’ll find there’s all kinds of different uses for a kitchen island, so you can customize them for use in your kitchen.

You will decide how it will be used, so you can buy a version that’s well suited to your needs.

3. Price

As well as this, they don’t have to be very expensive.

You can buy freestanding carts and counters that come from as little as $200. For those who have smaller kitchens or are on a budget, this is the best option for them.

Types Of Kitchen Islands

When adding an island to your kitchen, there are different types and styles available.

Depending on your household, your vision, and your preferences, you have many options.

Here’s just a few options that you can pick from:

1. Working Island

These kitchen islands look like a large table, with open shelving and storage underneath them. They’re often the cheapest option too, starting out at $200 depending on where you buy from.

They look good in traditional style kitchens, as they’re styled after work tables in vintage kitchens.

2. Storage Island

These are very common styles. The island provides extra counter space on top, and has cabinets underneath that provide extra storage in your kitchen.

If you struggle to make space in your kitchen for everything you own, this is the option for you.

3. Dining Island

These kitchen islands resemble bar tables, with high top stools or chairs lined up alongside them.

They’re perfect for breakfast nooks or for somewhere less formal to eat than your dining room.

4. Cooking Island

You can have a cooktop put onto the island, and give yourself more space to cook.

If you love cooking and want to be able to reach everything easily while you cook, then this is an option that you should consider.

5. Prep and Wash Station Island

Add a sink into your kitchen island and it becomes a perfect prep and wash station  for your cooking.

It’s great for couples who like to cook together, as it gives you more space to work around each other.

6. Cooking and Eating Island

You can have a counter that’s designed for both cooking and eating your food. The best way to design these is to have a higher counter for dining, with a lower portion housing the cooktop.

This protects diners from flames and other dangers that come from cooking zones in your kitchen.

How To Get The Right Dimensions

Your kitchen is a unique shape and size, so you’ll need a kitchen island that’s designed to fit in it.

Ideally, you want an island that is a similar size and shape to the rest of your kitchen cabinets, but allows enough room around it for you to move around freely.

How much room you allow will depend on what type of island you go for.

Installation

If you’re having an island installed, then you should go with a kitchen remodeling contractor for your remodel.

There’s lots of benefits to using them in designing your new kitchen, such as putting you in touch with good contractors, and taking on a lot of the hard work for you.

They’ll also be able to calculate how big that island should be.

Measurements

As a rule of thumb, all activity zones should have at least 4 to 9 feet of space between each other. That gives everyone in the kitchen enough room to get around, without feeling as though you’re too far away from each other.

Between counter spaces, you’ll want around 42 inches of space to walk through.

Between the wall and any dining counters you install, you’ll need at least 60 inches. Again, a designer will be able to talk you through exactly how much space you’ll need.

Appliances For Your Kitchen Island

The appliances you choose when adding a kitchen island will also depend on what you’re going to use it for.

Here’s a few examples of what you could include:

Cooktop

If you’re installing a cooking kitchen island, then you’re going to want this. If you’re serious about having a lot of room to cook, you can have extra burners installed to give you more options for cooking.

You can add an extra wide oven beneath it and you’ll be the go to house for holiday parties.

Dishwasher

If you don’t already have a dishwasher, you can have one installed in your island. They work well with island sinks, as they can share the same drainage system.

It makes clean up after a meal much easier.

Refrigerator

Do you like to entertain? Then having a refrigerator in your island makes a lot of sense. It puts drinks and snacks nearby, so they can get them whenever they want to.

As you’ll all be gathered around the island anyway, it really works. Add a refrigerator with a glass front and they’ll be able to see what’s in there at a glance.

Add Ons For Your Island

Finally, there’s a huge array of options when adding a kitchen island.

These will help you customize the island to suit your needs perfectly.

— For example, some home owners like to put in a pet station so they can feed their furry friends right from the counter.

— Others add bookshelves for their cookbooks.

It’s very much up to you.

With all these details, you’ll be able to buy the island that’s just right. Use these options to customize it for your needs.