Kitchen with an island: features and interesting examples

Island cuisine can look very beautiful, stylish and modern - in recent years, many more and more often choose such unusual design options. Almost anything can be brought to the island, so such a kitchen is very versatile. From this article you will learn what island kitchen sets are, what advantages and disadvantages they have, and also in what styles you can equip such a kitchen.

A competent layout is very important in any room, regardless of whether your kitchen is large or small, or even combined with the living room. The island kitchen is a rather complicated design, however, if you correctly enter it into the room, it can suit almost everyone and serve various needs. Thus, in an apartment of any size, a project with an island kitchen is quite feasible, but everything has its own specifics. Consider options for how an island or peninsular kitchen can be placed in different types of rooms.

In many apartments, the kitchen is a rather small space: this may apply to the "Khrushchev", and a small-sized apartment in a modern house. In a small kitchen, peninsular kitchens are often used, where a bar is separately taken out - it replaces the table, looks beautiful and saves space in the room.

In a small kitchen, a part of a countertop with cabinets, a sink, a refrigerator - anything can be brought to the island.This can be especially relevant and convenient for a kitchen with an unusual layout: for example, if you got a square or narrow room, where an ordinary direct kitchen is not very convenient. The island will help solve this problem.

It is worth noting that very often in a small room the island suite visually splits the space - this is an undesirable effect. If you divide the room into zones very actively, then in appearance it seems even smaller than it is. In this case, you should somehow combine the island with the main headset - this can be achieved with the same color and texture, close proximity, common accessories.

Also, think about the functional side of the issue. You may not be comfortable in the kitchen between the island and the main set, although in some cases the island, on the contrary, creates a convenient space. Think carefully about what you want to bring to the island, and where you want to place it, and also make sure that the passage between the island and the headset is not too narrow if you place them in parallel.

Most often, island headsets are placed in a large kitchen. The island serves as an additional functional space - you will surely like this idea if you like to cook. You can work on an additional countertop if the rest of the space is occupied, as well as on the island headset it is very convenient to cook together two and three - ideal for everyone who likes to call guests.

Cabinets and countertops brought to the island can look very nice. Sometimes, separately from the main headset, they have a minibar, a sink, and space with open shelves. The bar counter can also be located both on the island and on the peninsula. The large kitchen has more opportunities for creativity, and the bar counter can be made curved, or even walking in a circle.

Sometimes the island kitchen can well complement the design of the studio apartment. It is with the help of the island that you can very well separate the cooking area from the rest of the studio - from the living room and bedroom. Variants of the island look very advantageous in the studios, which include a bar on one side and a countertop on the other. This is a wonderful, simple and functional way of zoning space. However, even if you plan to put in your studio not a bar counter, but a full-fledged table, the island kitchen should also be considered: often there is very little space for the main headset in the studio, and it can be very convenient to make a tabletop with drawers on the island.

Often, an island suite is also chosen for the design of a spacious kitchen-living room. The island serves for zoning the space and helps to functionally expand the headset. Sometimes a bar is placed on the island in the kitchen-living room: in premises of this type it is customary to put a full table, but the bar can also be in addition - for a light snack and drinks. And also on the island often have an oven, dishwasher, sink.

It is no coincidence that the island kitchen set gained such popularity - it is quite practical. First of all, you need it when you do not have enough space for cooking in the main headset, and you do not want to clutter up the room with tall cabinets. A small island will give a lot of extra space. People who are seriously interested in cooking consider this solution to be really practical and convenient.

Many find a long kitchen set uncomfortable: to get from the refrigerator to the sink in the large kitchen, you need to overcome a considerable distance - when people regularly and cook a lot, such trifles interfere. Therefore, the island is more convenient - you can just turn around and continue culinary creativity.

The bar counter is very good for small spaces - with it you can save a lot of space. It is especially convenient if you live alone or together - in this case, a large dining table is simply not needed. In addition, the space under the bar on the island can also be used functionally - to place there home appliances or drawer cutlery and crockery.

The island headset is perfect for those cases when you need to zoning the room. Thanks to him, you can make a physical distinction between zones, but unlike arches or columns, the island is quite functional. It is worth designing the island so that it is somewhat combined with the main set, but has its own individual characteristics. Such an approach will help you decorate the room in a single ensemble, but delicately distinguish two different zones.

Despite the fact that island headsets are now popular, many successfully manage with traditional cuisines - direct, U-shaped or corner. The island has both significant pros and cons. Consider the main ones.

Among the advantages of the island and peninsular headset, there are a number of points.

• An island with a worktop on it will serve as another additional space for cooking - if there are people in the family who are fond of cooking, they will definitely appreciate it: cooking with the island cuisine is a real pleasure. Food can be cut and mixed on an additional tabletop if the rest of the space is occupied, as well as on the island headset it is very convenient to cook with the whole family or with friends - there is enough space for everyone.
• If you have a very narrow or, conversely, square kitchen, there may be problems with the layout. Often in such cases, in a direct kitchen set it is not possible to fit everything you need, and the corner and U-shaped options look too massive and take up extra space. In this case, the miniature island will fill in the missing space.
• An island kitchen is a way to place all kitchen appliances, utensils and countertops as convenient as possible for yourself. You do not have to walk around the large kitchen in circles to get what you need - you can just turn from the main headset and continue to work on the island.
• The space of the island in the kitchen often very often includes a bar counter. This is ideal for small spaces - if you choose a wide and comfortable rack, you don’t need a table at all. This solution looks very stylish and modern, and also allows you to significantly save space - this is especially true for small studio apartments in which 1-2 people live.
• If you have a lot of space, the bar can also be very convenient for a light breakfast or drink. In this case, you can make it narrow and almost decorative, place on it all kinds of accessories - beautiful dishes, vases, flowers and other pleasant things.
• An island is a great way to zone any space from the kitchen. It looks very natural, has practical benefits and functionality, beautifully complements various types of interiors. You can combine the island with other methods of dividing the space into zones - with colored finishes, several light sources. However, it is often quite self-sufficient.
• The island kitchen is quite universal - it will fit into almost any style in the interior from classic to hi-tech.You are completely free to search for the color combinations and decor you need - the design of the island kitchen itself is quite neutral and can be decorated in completely different ways.
• Island cuisine looks interesting and unusual. This solution is already atypical in layout, so it’s difficult to make a boring design out of island cuisine. You can choose a laconic and minimalist style with no catchy small details, and the interior will still be very interesting and fresh.

At the same time, some highlight some of the minuses of island cuisine in the interior.

• In some types of space, an island kitchen can be inconvenient - in particular, this applies to a very narrow long kitchen. The fact is that for convenience along the headset there should be a fairly wide passage so that you do not stumble and feel comfortable. In some rooms, the island opposite the headset simply does not fit, but on other sides it does not fit well - for example, due to docking with a window or door.
• Sometimes island cuisine cannot be organically integrated into space. The island simply stands in the middle of a large room, space often forms around it that is not used in any way, and with a different layout, it could be used to good use.
• The island kitchen design splits the space. This is often bad for a small kitchen or for a studio. To visually expand the room, it is important that it looks as solid as possible - isolated small elements do not contribute to this integrity. However, this negative effect can be neutralized if the island is made in color and texture close to the surrounding finish - this way it will merge with the external environment and fit harmoniously into the interior of the kitchen.
• Another problem is communication. Perhaps you will like the island kitchen with an oven or sink on the island and it will be convenient, but it is not always easy to bring water and electricity to the island if they were planned in the main headset. In this case, the island kitchen may require too much investment and effort.

There are many basic types of what you can place on the island in your kitchen. First of all, we note that a headset can have an island or a peninsula. Everything is clear with the island - it is a completely separate headset element, taken out in the center of the room or along any wall.

Both the island and the peninsula can have approximately the same functionality - they differ only in their shape and layout in relation to the headset. Consider what the island can serve in the kitchen, and what types of it are found.

• A kitchen island can completely replace a table if you turn it into a bar counter. The stand may be short or long, straight or curved. It can be located along the wall or go in the center of the room. A set with a bar counter saves space and looks beautiful in both large and small kitchens. It can be finished with acrylic or artificial stone, wood, plastic, tile or glass - the possibilities are endless, and you can also place convenient cabinets and shelves for kitchen utensils under the counter.

• An island with a worktop allows you to expand the working space of the kitchen, it is suitable for those who like to cook many different complex dishes. Such an island can be with a convenient storage system: under the countertop you can place open shelves, cabinets, drawers or hooks - everything you need for convenient storage of your dishes, kitchen textiles and other accessories.

• Sometimes there are islands of kitchen sets on wheels. They replace a kind of tray and serve to serve dishes. Good if you have a large apartment with a separate dining room.However, such an island on wheels will also be convenient in cases if you want to arrange a romantic dinner in the living room in front of the TV or have breakfast in the bedroom without getting out of bed.

• An island with a sink is another common option. It can be very convenient, in particular, water will not get on the equipment around, and to wash the food, you just need to turn around. If you can easily bring water to the island, a similar kitchen design option should definitely be considered.

• Island with stove, oven, microwave or dishwasher may also be a good solution. Sometimes all modern appliances simply do not fit in the main kitchen set, but you should not do a second parallel set or corner extension for the sake of one dishwasher or oven. The equipment can be successfully placed on a small island.

• It is worth noting that sometimes on the island several of these options are combined at once. For example, the island can be divided along in half - at the bar and countertop. And also it can be divided across - for example, a sink can be located closer to the headset, and a bar counter will follow it.

One of the undoubted advantages of the island kitchen set is that it fits perfectly into the most different styles in the interior. Regardless of which particular design suits your tastes, you can easily use one or another island model. Consider possible popular interior styles and how to implement an island kitchen model in them.

• Classic style remains a favorite among many modern people. It proclaims luxury, sophistication and aristocracy: whitish shades, marble, gilded accessories and stucco molding make the atmosphere solemn and majestic. A kitchen set in bright colors is suitable for such an interior, and the countertop or bar counter should be made of stone with imitation marble. Such a solution will create a unique atmosphere in your kitchen.

• Art Nouveau Kitchen - Another interesting solution for everyone who loves the aesthetics of the beginning of the last century. Stained glass, rough metal shapes, bizarre wood carvings and exquisite ceramics characterize this style. Wooden kitchen drawers will look good, and the surface of the island itself can be tiled.

• Japanese-style cuisine may look interesting. This is an eco-friendly and concise design, which does not exclude bright colors. You can use several colors at the base of your headset, decorate it with hieroglyphs, oriental paintings or elements from bamboo. Acrylic stone can be used as a cover for a countertop, and wood is suitable for a bar counter.

• Hi-tech style Now it is also very popular and perfect for an island-style kitchen. Mostly in this style they use dark tones and many metal elements. The surface of the island can be finished with artificial stone or plastic.

• If you are close to minimalist aesthetics, you have a small kitchen, and you want it to be as functional as possible, consider a Scandinavian style that is fashionable now for a design solution. Pastel colors, natural wood and maximum practicality are relevant in it.

• If you often have a romantic mood, You can try to finish your Provencal style kitchen.. Painted wooden furniture, simple accessories, floral prints and pastel-colored textiles will mentally take you to a French village.The headset is best made of wood painted in blue, pink or beige, and the tabletop can be laid out with light tiles.

• Loft style kitchen It can also be perfectly complemented by a headset with an island. This style is characterized by deliberate negligence: untreated wood, textured staining, light colors and a combination of the most unexpected materials will look good in such a kitchen.

• If you cannot decide which design decisions and ideas are closer to you, try eclectic design. It involves a mixture of different elements - classic marble, hi-tech colors, bamboo decor and light tiles can be very stylish together. Find your perfect combination of the elements that you like.

Island cuisine is an interesting solution that will suit many. However, this design is quite demanding, and you need to carefully consider both the placement of the island and its functionality. Inspire the beautiful work of interior designers and create a unique interior for your kitchen.

• A fully white kitchen can look very stylish over a large area - this is a great design option in a classic style. Thanks to the dark countertop, unusual handles and built-in appliances, this design does not look boring, but looks very elegant, restrained and stylish. The island in such a kitchen serves as an additional functional space and beautifully complements the entire interior.

• A modern and vibrant island kitchen with a breakfast bar takes up very little space, however it will be practical and comfortable for two. The island is divided along - it includes a bar and a kitchen workspace. Emphasis is placed on the unusual shape of the furniture and bright chairs. Despite the fact that the overall shade of the kitchen is far from pastel, it looks very spacious thanks to the glossy surfaces that reflect light.

• Luxurious modern island kitchen in a studio apartment looks harmonious and simple. It is convenient for the owners. A low bar counter will successfully replace the table, and a convenient cooking space with a sink will turn cooking into a pleasure. The whole kitchen looks like a single ensemble and stands out from the studio, although it harmoniously fits into the space of the entire apartment, primarily due to color combinations.

You will learn how to make a kitchen island with your own hands from the next video.