You’ve spent much of the past year at home and, other than Zoom meetings and watching Netflix, we’re guessing that a good deal of that time was spent in your kitchen. If we were to describe the functions of kitchens today, “cooking” would be just part of the answer.
In fact, here at Metro, kitchen remodeling means creating space not only for meal preparation, but for homework, keeping family schedules, bill paying, TV watching, and last year even squeezing in a bit of work. (Maybe even doing some entertaining again this year!)
Where does most of this activity happen? The island, of course! And we’re ready to help you get some quality island time!
When we design a kitchen remodel, planning the island is very important for the kitchen’s efficiency. It’s one of the hardest-working components of a kitchen these days.
Island Shape and Size
When adding an island, it’s important for the final layout to enable smooth traffic patterns and make it possible for more than one person to cook at a time. The island shouldn’t be so large that it creates a bottleneck. There needs to be enough room to open the dishwasher and oven and still get around. In addition, family or guests who are not cooking will feel more comfortable gathering in a kitchen if there is sufficient space outside of the work area for them to relax without being in the way of the cook. A casual floor plan that is open to the family room or dining room adds flexibility to the space.
Countertop Height and Materials
With the kitchen accommodating many different activities, it’s often smart to have countertops at varying heights. Just match the height to the activity most often done in that area. For example, lower levels work well for food prep, while higher counters are ideal as a breakfast bar or a convenient spot to serve food buffet-style. While countertop materials are most often granite or quartz, consider adding a baking station with a marble counter, or a butcher block for chopping convenience.
An island is a great place to install appliances that can be used easily by one family member while someone else is at the stove or sink. In fact, you can even add an extra prep sink or a cooktop. An island that has an accessible microwave and an undercounter refrigerator for drinks and snacks will make life easier for everyone.
Take Us with You on Your Journey!
Kitchen remodels, while exciting, can be challenging to plan. And features, finishes and fixtures are always being added and updated in the world of kitchen and appliance design. That’s why we’re here. Don’t go on your island adventure alone! With our creativity, experience, and design know-how, we can explain your options and make recommendations you may not have even considered to ensure you’re getting everything you want and need from your beautiful new kitchen.