Are kitchen islands a necessity or a convenience? – Part 1

Kitchen islands in a home are more for convenience than a necessity. Most homes that have the space to place a kitchen island use it as a preparation center for foods. The kitchen island gives extra space and keeps the counter tops clear and uncluttered. A must for most homes with kids and extended families. The fall back to most homes that have a kitchen island is the fact that it sometimes becomes the catch all for car keys ,phone books and other miscellaneous items that the family places things on as they walk through the kitchen area. No matter how much we try to make room in the kitchen, the island is a convenience but not a necessity.

Fixing foods and salads or baking breads and cakes give the cook a nice advantage to work from because of the space and room to move about the kitchen. No worries about open cabinet doors above your head or worrying about bumping your elbows on the corner of an appliance on the counter. The islands convenience is nice but not a necessity to have. People have prepared foods for years on their kitchen counter tops and the need for an island came with the influx of counter top items such as can openers, coffee pots and microwaves. These items take up much needed counter space and the need for a more functioning kitchen evolved from this.

The kitchen island added extra storage underneath for pots and baking pans. Items that are not used every day find their way underneath the island and free up much needed space on kitchen counters. Some islands serve as a kitchen bar for people to eat from and even have a double sink to wash vegetables and small utensils in. The convenience of the island allows the cook to interact with the family as they prepare the food. In some cases the island has become the focal point of entertaining company and it can add to a kitchen, not take away from it. The problem with home owners and islands in the kitchen come from tight closed in places that an island should not be in. Some people just have to have one in their kitchen but do not realize what it takes away in the form of space.

If you have the room for a kitchen island that is great but if you do not consider the drawbacks to an island in a undersized kitchen area it could cost you if you ever sell your home. Space and convenience are what kitchen islands are about but if you do not have the room in your kitchen, do not think it is a necessity to have one. Many people survived before the kitchen island came along and some will still see the kitchen island a convenience and not a necessity in years to come.

Related posts:

1. Are kitchen islands a necessity or a convenience?
2. Kitchen Cabinetry – An Absolute Necessity for every Home
3. Different Types of Stone Kitchen Islands

Tagged with: Kitchen Area • Kitchen Bar • Open Cabinet

Filed under: Kitchen Photos

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