Build a kitchen island

By definition, the kitchen island combines functionality and aesthetics. It is an additional space for cooking and also serves as a dining area. There are variations in terms of layout, height, size and utility. A few tips to guide you and set up an island according to your daily life.

With living rooms now more airy, open kitchens have been very popular for a few years now. Adding an island space defines and structures the kitchen without losing storage or space. It offers an additional surface for food preparation while being an integral part of the rest of the house.

KITCHEN LAYOUT

There are several forms of layout depending on the architecture of the room and the habits of the owners. :

• Corner island
• Island in one block
• Island with a dining area

Photo credits : Left - @marbreriedaubinetlitteri| Right - @studiojir_biarritz

The main idea is to provide additional space without cluttering. The angled island is the most popular type. It corresponds to the extension of the worktop, so they are at the same height.

The island in a single block generally includes the sink or the hob to create 2 distinct spaces in the kitchen. It is an additional space, an additional work plan. It is more generally found in kitchens with enough space.

The last type of island most found is the one with the addition of a dining area at height, lower or higher than the rest of the worktop. It adds a dining area to the kitchen, without wasting space.

One genre is not better than another. It depends on your habits in this room, your desires and the current layout of the room.

RECOMMENDED HEIGHT

The most common is to respect the continuity and the height of the worktop, generally located between 80 and 90 cm. The advantage of made-to-measure legs is that there is always the possibility of associating an aesthetic base with a dimension to the nearest centimeter.

If you want to combine this island with a table with a different height, there are so-called standard heights :

• 75 cm finished height (top + leg) to match a dining table
• 95 cm finished height to create a high table
• 110 cm finished height for a bar spirit and eat standing

Photo credits : Left - @lea.faugere | Right - Buret

Photo credits : Right - @aure_public

THE IDEAL DIMENSIONS

For this characteristic, no precise notion because it will depend on each project, the layout chosen and the space available.

The important thing is precisely to personalize it, so that it is practical and ergonomic without cluttering the room. For example, if storage is planned, the opening of the doors must be taken into account, if you want to decorate it with a dining area, how many guests are desired? etc..

Photo credits : Right -@cequevouspenseztoutbas

Photo credits : @sophieferjani

A FUNCTIONAL ISLAND

Depending on habits and the space available, the functional meaning is different. The addition of this additional space decorates the storage kitchen in the lower part with doors or drawers. Very simple DIY using existing cupboard, a board and a pair of feet to create a very simple and custom island.

In the case of adding storage, leave enough clearance around it to facilitate circulation.

A hybrid island is possible, depending on the space available, with a storage area and additional worktop as well as a dining area. On the table part and depending on the choice of legs chosen, this will give an airy, industrial, design aspect to this island. A touch of color can be brought to it to make a reminder to other elements of the kitchen.

A sink, a hob or an oven can complete this island. Make sure you have the necessary arrivals for household appliances.

Photo credits : Left - @fraisetagada | Right - @la.deco.delo

NOT FOR ME ?!

Even in a small kitchen, an island will find its place. It's all about thinking about the space and making it multifunctional, with a dining area, storage space and to complete its practicality, why not make it mobile ?

Space saving, it can be moved at will, according to the needs, the occasion. It takes up several uses and saves space. Caster feet are ideal for this option. This model exists from 20 to 110 cm, enough to find height at its foot.

A kitchen island is ultimately a dream accessible to all provided you think about the project upstream.

Discover all our feet for kitchen island to make your kitchen as functional as possible.

All you have to do is design YOUR island and if you lack ideas, find it here 14 inspirations.