By Marcia Jedd
Cooking islands have transformed from humble beginnings as an afterthought—think old cabinets with a butcher block top—to elaborate work and entertaining centers replete with innovative appliances and beautiful cabinetry.
Today's kitchen islands are well-planned marvels, often employed when kitchen space is plentiful. "Islands can help keep work areas free of traffic and help create extra counter and storage space," says Liz Firebaugh, CKD and owner of Signature Kitchens, Inc. of Petoskey, Mich. Liz says that kitchen islands often combine several functions. Consider these island scenarios:
- Food preparation. You'll find a sink or wet bar and possibly a chopping block, undercounter fridge and even a range and/or cooktop. Liz notes that cooktops are especially common in kitchens where the island helps form the work triangle that consists of a sink, refrigerator and cooking appliances.
- Clean up. "Small prep sinks are common in these islands, along with pull-out trash storage or trash compactor, although these are waning in popularity due to recycling," Liz says. Depending on the work triangle configuration and the owner's lifestyle, she also suggests considering placement of a primary or secondary dishwasher
- Serving. These islands showcase serving areas and may feature two levels. Increasingly a warming oven drawer may be included in addition to space for serving and warming trays. "These islands allow for food preparation or cleanup on one side and combine with another area, often a raised bar, for eating and serving," Liz says.
Form following function
Liz says innovations in kitchen appliances are making islands highly functional and convenient. That means planning for exactly what role the island will play, as well as how each element fits into it. As much as clients might think a particular appliance is a must-have item or vie for its placement in a certain area, function rules, Liz stresses.
"If someone is using an area, you don't want to interrupt that work. For example, position the wine chiller outside of the work triangle," Liz says.
For similar reasons, include appliances that serve a purpose in the work triangle, but avoid awkward placement, such as showcasing a stove on an island for the sake of showcasing it. "Hoods aren't as effective in ventilation against today's powerful cooktops and ovens, and need to be placed low enough. If possible, place the range or cooking surface against a wall," Liz advises. That allows the hood to be placed low enough to be effective without interfering with the open look of the kitchen.
Another popular option for islands is appliance drawers for warming, chilling and cooking. Busy families might consider microwaves for under-counter installation; they're great for open-plan kitchens and those with close proximity to family rooms. A number of manufacturers feature drawer-style refrigerators. Some allow for vertical or horizontal placement of these drawers; specialty food items for entertaining, for example, can be placed within convenient reach.
As a result of fancy kitchen islands, the contractor's job is more complex. "Islands often open up into other rooms, and so islands need to look more like a furniture piece," Liz says. Today's furniture looks sometimes features a unique piece as the island centerpiece, but that means the clients need access to electrical outlets and other utilities as to be as unobtrusive as possible. One remodeling project she designed resulted in an island with furniture legs. "In this case, an electrical chase was cut into one of the legs. In other cases, drawer depth needs to be cut back to allow for an outlet."
Today's completely integrated look featuring appliances hidden by wood overlay panels means installation is important. "The appliance selection needs to be made before the rough in," Liz notes. "Contractors, including the electrician, need to have the actual specs of the appliances."
An island quickly becomes the center of the kitchen; making sure it performs as well as possible is a giant stop toward ensuring that the kitchen is the heart of the home.
Minneapolis-based freelancer Marcia Jedd frequently writes on residential design and construction.
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