Kitchen islands can be a great addition to any kitchen, improving both its functionality and overall aesthetic appeal. However, it may not always be practical to have a kitchen island, especially if you’re not going to utilise it fully or if space is a constraint in your home. In this post, we take a look at what exactly a kitchen island is, as well as the pros and cons of having one to help you make a more well-informed decision when it comes to designing your own home.
What is a Kitchen Island?
A kitchen island typically refers to a freestanding countertop that is located in the centre of the kitchen. It is usually isolated from the rest of the kitchen fixtures and countertops, giving rise to its name. Kitchen islands can come in a variety of different shapes and sizes depending on your personal style and preferences. In addition, the features that a kitchen island has can also range from stoves and ovens to sinks and dishwashers.
Advantages of Kitchen Islands
There are many advantages that a kitchen island can provide, including:
- Additional Countertop Space: If you cook regularly and find that you lack the space for preparing your meals, the additional countertop space provided by a kitchen island may be beneficial.
- Storage Space: Kitchen islands often also feature cabinets and drawers under the countertop that can be used to store kitchen appliances and cookware.
- Hosting Space: If you regularly have guests over, the kitchen island can also be a great place to host your guests and provides a unique alternative to a living room. Standing around a kitchen island and enjoying some canapes with friends and family can be a great way to pass an evening.
Disadvantages of Kitchen Islands
However, kitchen islands are also not without their disadvantages. Some of the cons that you might want to consider before committing to having a kitchen island in your home include:
- Space Constraints: The biggest disadvantage of having a kitchen island is that it tends to take up a lot of space and may not be suitable for smaller homes. This is because you have to cater not only for the kitchen island itself but also for walking space surrounding the kitchen island.
- Maintenance: Kitchen islands can add an additional layer of complexity to your regular kitchen cleaning and maintenance routines. Any additional appliances, such as sinks and dishwashers, may also need to be maintained regularly.
- Costs: Because of the complexity of installation, kitchen islands can often add to the costs of building your kitchen.
Design the Perfect Kitchen with Australian Heritage Homes
Australian Heritage Homes is a leading provider of custom home design and building services in Melbourne, and our professional home builders have been helping local residents design and build their dream homes for decades. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to find out more about how we can help with the construction of your custom home.