Kitchen islands are sought-after features in most renovations. Islands are endlessly functional and offer the perfect space for everything from food prep to casual dining. If you want the island in your kitchen renovation to double as a dining space, these tips will help you get the right design, starting with understanding the standard kitchen island size and how it fits into your layout.
Leave Space for Chairs
This may seem like a no-brainer, but if you want your island to be a dining area, then it will need to allow for seating. Not all kitchen island designs have space for chairs. Choose an island that doesn’t have a solid block base, so that chairs can be tucked in and people can comfortably stick their legs underneath the base to eat. Be sure to measure the clearance space between the island and the other structures in the kitchen, both when the chairs are pushed in and when people are sitting in them. There should be at least 32 inches of clearance space for people to pass, but 36 to 42 inches is ideal if the pathway is a high traffic area.
Decide if You Want a Multifunction Space
Do you want your kitchen island to exclusively be a dining space, or do you plan to also use it as a work surface? If you want a multifunctional space, such as one that also includes a chopping area or even a stovetop, choose an island that has sufficient space for both purposes. Kitchen islands that are exclusively used as dining spaces can be smaller.
Choose the Right Height
Because kitchen islands should be high enough that you can work on their surfaces without bending down, high-top seating is usually required. If you have your eye on a specific style or type of chair, make sure your island is the right height to accommodate the chairs, with enough clearance space to push them in when not in use.
Let Southwest Kitchen & Bath help you make the right choices for your kitchen island and all of the components of your kitchen renovation in Tucson. For information about our cabinets, refacing services, and much more, call (520) 531-9187.