Everyone’s idea of a dream kitchen is different, but one feature popular across the board is an island. Not only does it create extra workspace, but you also get more interior design opportunities, as you get to select different styles, finishes, barstools, and plumbing fixtures to complete the look. If you incorporate a kitchen island into your remodeling plans, however, there are certain factors you should consider to ensure you make the right choices.

Storage

People often use kitchen islands to stack extra dishes, appliances, or decorations — in other words, they use it for storage more often than as a preparation station. If your cabinets are overflowing with dishes, silverware, and glasses, include storage solutions such as drawers or shelves with your island.

Size

Islands shouldn’t take up too much space in your kitchen or they’ll crowd out everything else, which is counter-effective if you intend to improve the space’s utility or aesthetics. One rule of thumb is islands should take up less than 10% to 15% of a kitchen’s total square footage. However, if you want a sink or oven installed into it, it’s OK to go on the large side, as you’ll need extra space for plumbing or gas hookups.

Exhaust System

If your island incorporates a stove or oven, you’ll need an exhaust system to ventilate smoke and steam generated from cooking. This is tricky for ovens that aren’t wall-mounted, but there are options. One is installing an overhead exhaust solution, which is the most effective since smoke and steam rise and won’t need to be redirected. If you don’t like the look of that, you can install a grate on the kitchen island to suck down the exhaust. In both cases, exhaust needs to be directed outside of your home through tubes or ducts.

 

Many kitchen remodeling projects require a licensed plumbing contractor for certain tasks. If you’re having a new sink installed in your island, for example, let Emery Plumbing handle it. The family-owned company works out of Hilo, HI, and has over 30 years of plumbing experience to back up their reputation for quality. To schedule an appointment or request an estimate, reach out to them at (808) 960-8828. More information is available online.