To island or not to island

I grew up in the era where if you were going to renovate your kitchen you were most definitely putting in an island. They have grown into a go-to functional piece in your layout as well as a sort-of status symbol. However, in the last few years the island has been kicked off it’s pedestal, if you will. Frankly, I’m happy to hear it.

Source: Anna Bode

Typically, I don’t start with a kitchen island in my plans due to the fact that my layouts are almost always based around what the original house plans allude to and islands were virtually never included in an original kitchen layout prior to the 1970’s. That being said, the way we use our kitchen is much different than how people used them in the past. They serve just as much as a social hub in our homes nowadays as they serve for cooking and functional purposes. They also require more storage because humans, unfortunately, own a lot more on-hand equipment and supplies than they ever did.

Source: Kristine Ham

The strongest “pro” I can think of for having a kitchen island is how it can efficiently improve your work zone. Traditionally in design, we learn to build kitchens based on a work triangle that ties together your sink, refrigerator and range in a strategic configuration. By moving one of these points to the island, usually the range (sometimes the sink, although I’m not a fan of this), you can create your work triangle very easily.

However, while this is certainly an easy fix, you can create a productive layout with most any kitchen layout with a little determination. A lot of times when I see a kitchen island shoved into a layout, I think a similar effect could have been achieved with a L-shaped layout or a peninsula. A peninsula is a great solution of you don’t quite have the space for an island but want seating or room separation.

9 times out of 10, historic homes won’t have the space for an island in the original kitchen footprint. So, unless you expand into another room to grow the layout, I wouldn’t recommend trying to put one in. Instead, get creative in your space planning. Is there a piece of furniture that can function in the same way but can be slim enough to work around? A lot of tables can be heightened to reach countertop levels - around 36 inches.

Source: Melissa Rufty

At the end of day, if you’ve had your heart set on and island, they can be assets to a kitchen layout. But if you’re like me and don’t like to do something just because everyone else is, there are so many ways to update your kitchen and create an efficient space without one.