Our hearts go out to whoever’s tried preparing a meal with limited counter space. For many serious cooks, preparing a delightful meal is an art form. Which is why trying to chop vegetables in a cramped space in between the coffee maker and the microwave is frustrating. Imagine a cramped symphony orchestra trying to pull off a crescendo while they’re trying to not bang their elbows into one another and you have a pretty good idea what it’s like.
Enter a growing hallmark of the modern kitchen. The Island, or rather Kitchen Island, acts as additional counter and storage space for your kitchen. It’s called an island because while most kitchen design is jammed together and compartmentalized, the island rests all on its own, usually in the center of the kitchen. That the island stands as a go-to prep station and storage space on its own and yet is never far from the rest of the workstations in the kitchen is the key to its ability to save people time and hassle. Finish the prep with ample elbow room, pivot and turn around and you’re in front of the stove. No more risking burning side dishes or letting them simmer too long while you’re rummaging to get pots and pans. If you don’t need the counter space for prep work, you can put out all the tools you need beforehand and then have quick and easy access (as in two seconds or less) to them right when you need them. If you’ve ever prepared a delicious meal for a fair –sized number of people (four or more) you know how critical that extra convenience at your fingertips while you’re multitasking preparing the side dishes.
The biggest bonus to adding an island to your kitchen is how you can suit it to your needs. Need extra cabinet space? You can hollow out the interior of the island to fill out the interior with both large cabinet space (for large pots and strainers) and smaller compartments so you can finally have a dedicated space to separate things like wooden spoons and woks away from your utensil cabinet. Or you could have the space below the cabinet be completely open and stack high chairs and stools around it, so you have a prep station and dining area.
The tough thing about islands if where to put them, or rather, deciding if there’s enough room in the kitchen to even place one. The good news is there are plenty of smaller kitchens with islands installed into them, the question is what it taken away? The usual suspect is the space reserved for the kitchen table, but every kitchen is different and a creative mind can help you pick a spot that’s practical while still being aesthetically and spatially pleasing. Contact your local Cleveland remodeling contractors and ask them to how an island can complement your kitchen, or you can always contact us here.
