Islands are one of the most versatile and functional elements that can be added to any kitchen. They are highly practical and can act as a workspace or a social epicenter at the same time. Choosing the right materials and design can be overwhelming as there are so many decisions to make. If you want to learn the ins and outs, continue reading our guide detailing everything about choosing a kitchen island.
Island Top Materials
Choosing the right material is very important as it will significantly affect the look and functionality of the island. Here are some of the most popular options:
Granite
As one of the most durable and long-lasting options available, granite is a go-to kitchen island top material. It is highly resistant to scratches and other impact-related injuries. It has one of the highest scores among the natural stones in the Mohs Scale. In other words, it is much harder to blemish compared to other natural stones. This provides a useful kitchen island because islands tend to get more wear and tear compared to regular countertops. Granite is also highly resistant to heat, meaning it won’t be susceptible to damage if you were to put your hot pans or pots on the island top. However, we still recommend using trivets to ensure that the sealant doesn’t get damaged.
Marble
Marble is one of the most sought-after materials for countertops and kitchen island tops due to its luxurious aura and timeless beauty. It is known to be the stone of royals and master architects due to its amazing properties. This fame makes marble very popular and its unique beauty dazzles homeowners and interior decorators.
Marble is the perfect option if you want to create a centerpiece with your kitchen island. A marble island will demand attention and bring visual interest to the space. Moreover, its signature veins transcend trends, therefore it will always be in style. The natural colors that marble is available in add movement to the kitchen without creating a busy-looking area. It is ideal for those wanting an elevated and refined appearance.
Quartz
Quartz is a semi-natural and semi-manufactured material. It is an engineered stone that combines the beauty and elegance of crushed quartzite, which makes the natural part, and the durability and versatility of resins, pigments, and binders that create the manufactured part.
Quartz is highlighted by its great versatility. You can use it for kitchen island tops, countertops, and bathroom vanities. This can help create cohesion throughout the home and bring harmony. A quartz kitchen island top will be incredibly durable and versatile. As different pigments are mixed into it during the engineering process, quartz slabs are available in many different colors and patterns. You can find quartz slabs with hues ranging from bright reds and blues to orange and gold tones. Moreover, they can have differing intensities of patterns to suit your aesthetic desires.
Quartzite
Quartzite is an amazing alternative for those looking to implement gorgeous and timeless design into their home while incorporating an effortless and easy-to-maintain material. Quartzite is known for its similar appearance to marble. It has a smooth and dense base that is often in light and neutral colors such as light gray and beige. The surface is adorned with classic veins in brown and gray tones. If you are interested in unusual colorways, quartzite slabs are also available in brighter colors.
It is a highly durable and long-lasting option for kitchen islands. It has a 7 out of 10 in the Mohs Scale of hardness. It will withstand wear and tear as long as it is properly sealed and regularly maintained.
Storage Solutions
Beyond its role as a countertop surface, island tops can also act as a storage solution, which adds versatility to the space. They are spacious cabinets that can be used to store varying items ranging from unused kitchen gadgets to dry pantry items. This helps better organize your kitchen and keep things out of the way while working.
If you are interested in a stationary kitchen island, you can customize it to fit your practical and design needs. If you design the storage part of the island to incorporate shelves and drawers, you can create a space that directly caters to your specific kitchen layout to optimize the storage space. Shelves can be a great storage space to store large pots and pans that take up too much space in other cabinets. On the other hand, you can use the drawers for utensils and other smaller items. This will add even more functionality to your gorgeous kitchen island.
The Right Dimensions
Once you have decided on the style and material of your kitchen island, you will need to decide the preferred size of your island depending on the size of your kitchen. The proportion between the size of your kitchen and the size of the kitchen island needs to strike the perfect balance so that the island manages to be functional while still appearing aesthetically pleasing.
An island that is too big in a small kitchen will take up too much space and cut off the flow of movement in the kitchen. You need to make sure that there is enough space to freely move around in the kitchen after the island is installed.
An island that is too small won’t be functional. Your kitchen island needs to have enough surface area for prep word while cooking. Moreover, if your kitchen island is also going to function as a space for eating and spending time, you need to allocate enough space for those activities.
Seating Arrangements
Adding a seating element to the kitchen island not only enhances the functionality but also adds a dynamic visual element to the kitchen that will elevate its beauty. Moreover, the social dimension it adds will make your kitchen the social hub of the home, allowing you to entertain guests while preparing food and drinks. The uses of an island with seating is endless, you can use it as a working space, a casual dinner spot, or a quick breakfast bar.
As Ilkem Marble, we offer only the highest quality materials. If you are interested in a consultation about a new kitchen island that will take your kitchen to the next level, you can reach out to our expert customer care team.
