Should I Have an Island in My Kitchen?

In many households, the kitchen is the central hub of the home. Similar to fireplaces in house designs of the previous century, modern kitchens have many functions beyond meal preparation. Parents and children gather here at the beginning and end of their days, guests are entertained here during parties & celebrations and important decisions are made here during family meetings.

This is why the kitchen island was invented; to enhance the function of the area and to supply valuable countertop space for everyday use and special occasions. These features are especially popular in open concept floor plans such as the many designs created by the Hallmark Homes Group.

What is a Kitchen Island?

A kitchen island is a piece of multi-purpose furniture — sort of like a dining room table, only taller. As it is meant to be used in conjunction with countertops, the island is at the same height as most of the other kitchen surfaces. Some can include a prep sink for washing produce and rinsing dishes while others can hold a dishwasher and/or provide additional cabinet space for storing cookware. Some islands which do not include plumbing can be moved about the kitchen for extended countertop food preparation space, cleaning or extra seating for guests.

How Big Should a Kitchen Island Be?

The size of your island should be determined in relation to the overall dimensions of the kitchen and any adjacent areas connected by open space. As long as the space is at least 10 feet wide and 12 feet long, you can comfortably fit a kitchen island. Some are minimal, measuring just four by two feet and others can be significantly bigger to accommodate multiple family members, several dinner guests and large projects for work and play. The average size is 80 x 40 inches (6.6ft x 3.3ft) with at least 42 inches of clearance on all sides. Some islands, however, can be as big as 18ft long and 5ft wide, depending on the size of the area.

What Can I Use a Kitchen Island For?

Your kitchen island is the perfect place for doing homework, putting together puzzles and playing games. Since it is in one of the most-used rooms in the home, it should be accommodating to everyone in the house at some point during the day. Breakfast at the kitchen island is a standard for many families, and some new homes by Hallmark are designed with an island that is meant to function as the dining room or family room table. This is the perfect place for fresh fruit and other snacks for when the kids come in the door hungry. Additionally, the kitchen island makes a great office, especially for a work-from-home parent who needs to keep an eye on dinner while speaking on a conference call.

Kitchen islands are an attractive and versatile feature of modern home designs — especially those with open-concept floor plans. Contact us to learn more about homes with multi-purpose spaces for everyday use and how we can make your kitchen island dreams a reality in your new home.