Island Innovations: Make the Most of Your Kitchen Space

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Dreaming of a fantasy island? No, not the island with white sandy beaches, palm trees and sun . . . but your kitchen island. According to a recent survey, kitchen islands are increasing in popularity.

“The kitchen island remodel has become the icon of the modern kitchen - the 21st century equivalent of the old-fashioned hearth,” says architect Duo Dickinson for This Old House Magazine. “It’s easy to understand why; islands work.”

Centrally located, islands are easily accessed and ideal for various kitchen tasks from food prep and cooking, to clean up and entertaining. They often are the focal point in the kitchen and typically blend in with the décor. According to Dickinson, an island, at a minimum, should be 4 feet long and a little more than 2 feet deep.

As the attractiveness of kitchen islands continue to grow, so do the innovations. In fact, the number-one design feature on consumer wish lists is a central island cooktop. But cooktops aren’t the only island innovations. Following are the newest kitchen finds and options to consider when building or turning your fantasy island into a functional - and stylish - workspace.

Create Levels

When deciding on the layout for your kitchen island, why not customize your fantasy and create levels? Multi-level islands are becoming increasingly popular since most homeowners not only want a work area, but also an informal place for entertaining guests.

With the kitchen as one of the main gathering areas in a home, your guests will be able to sit, chat or rest their beverage glasses on the high-top counter, while the lower tier of the island should feature an ample work area for you to whip up your decadent cuisine. Additionally, be sure to incorporate enough drawers and shelves below the work area to keep key ingredients, utensils and your favorite cookbooks right at your fingertips. If you love to entertain, also consider adding wine chilling drawers or a wine refrigerator to keep your beverages close at hand and maintain proper temperatures for your reds and whites.

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot

Turn up the heat and get cooking. Homeowners want a central island cooktop as part of their kitchen island, reports Kitchen & Bath Design News. Installing cooktops brings countertop burners within easy reach, while also creating room for amenities below, such as additional storage - or even warming drawers.

Easy Clean Up

In addition to your cooking surface, you’ll want to install a sink and faucet in your kitchen island to make food prep and clean up quick and easy. Cutting up vegetables can even be stylish with the minimalist design of the new Level pulldown kitchen faucet from Moen. Its sleek and contemporary lines, accented in the most popular finishes, blend beautifully with modern kitchen decors. Plus, Level’s pulldown wand also makes performing everyday tasks - such as filling large pots, pitchers and vases - in and around the sink and island easy.

Topping It Off

Add character to your island countertop with a dramatic surface finish. While high-end materials, such as granite, metal, solid-surface and marble are still popular, new custom, hand-applied finishes with unique designs, such as full circles and waves, can add unique beauty to your island and set your countertop apart. And, be sure to finish off your counter with a thick butcher block. Not only will it be an easy spot for all your cutting needs, you’ll be sure to protect your beautiful countertop surface.

Free Cooking Demonstrations. A New Kitchen remodel!

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A new kitchen, San Diego a kitchen and bath design and remodeling company in the heart of San Diego’s South Park Neighborhood wants to give back to their clients and neighbors.  With A new Kitchen’s slogan being “A New Kitchen, A New Way of Life!”, what better way to help their clients than by offering a healthy cooking demonstration every month in their showroom on Beech Street. “In our years of experience, we have found that a simple kitchen remodel  can change lives,” Dwight Van Slyke, the owner of A New Kitchen says.  “Before the kitchen remodel, a family might go out for dinner three or four times every week not wanting to cook in their old kitchen.  But after the kitchen remodel they enjoy being in their new kitchen and want to cook more but really might not know how.  These demonstrations will get our clients and neighbors going in the right direction toward their new healthy way of life.” 

Need a Kitchen Remodel? Sell Your Home Faster!

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The recent housing market slump has been making it harder for homeowners to sell their homes at the price they would like.  The decision then becomes, “What can I do to make my home more valuable in the eyes of the potential buyer?”

One of the best things you can do to make your home more attractive is to get a kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel.  A kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel will make the home more attractive to prospective buyers.  These two rooms are the lifeblood of the home.  A kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel will typically bring back a return on investment.  “A new kitchen appeals to most buyers out there right now” says Dwight Van Slyke, owner of A New Kitchen in San Diego.  Dwight goes onto say that ”there is a definite beauty the comes with a new kitchen remodel.”