This post is presented by New View Designs by Laurie Cole Inc.

Are you dreaming of island life? No I am not talking about the one you have to get on a plane to go to.   I’m talking about the one where you need a measuring tape, the one for your kitchen.   Are you visualizing an island with all your closest family and friends gathered around? While it’s always great to dream, you’ll have to be realistic to see if the addition of an island is viable. As a professional, there are rules to abide by.  We are honestly not trying to burst your dream kitchen bubble, however, professional designers up to date on trends and all visual elements; we have in depth knowledge on universal standards and human factors. We examine your kitchen remodel with reason and logic first, then we take care of the rest.

The first step in remodeling is to know what’s important to you when cooking. Do you require high-end appliances like an extra wide fridge or a range hoods? Do you prefer a gas or an electric stove? Do you do a ton of baking and need more than one oven?  Do you enjoy cooking with a lot of spices or other foods that require proper ventilation? Would you like your knives to be on your left or right while you cook? Obviously, your budget will dictate how creative you can get with the layout, but if you’re trying to save, don’t underestimate the cost. Make sure you factor in practicalities – If you’re moving any permanent fixtures, you need to think about the cost of moving water sources, electricity sources, replacing the floors or scraping your ceilings. If you’re not careful, a small update could snowball into a mountain of project management, debt and negative thoughts towards your home. If you’re on a budget, the rule of thumb is to leave your appliances and plumbing where they are. Work with the current layout and have fun with it!

Islands vs Peninsulas

It seems everyone wants an island and IF you have the space, it’s a great asset to your kitchen. They are visually pleasing and practical as well.  If you think your kitchen is large enough for an island, you’ll need to think about the “working triangle” This term refers to the space between the fridge, stove and sink, the three places which cooks constantly rotate between. Unless you have a galley kitchen, this rule is very helpful.  A typical kitchen island requires at least 42” of clear space around it. This allows sufficient room for cupboard doors to be opened and people to reach inside. If you are planning on using the island as the main eating area, make sure you factor in enough space for chairs and for people to get up and down without being too squeezed. We usually factor in 2’ per stool. Are you planning on adding a sink, dishwasher or cooktop? While these are awesome options, they take up space so consider that when designing your island. If you want to extend your countertop, you will definitely need something to keep it up so think about the depth of your overhang and what style of decorative posts or panels you want. A recent trend is the waterfall concept, where a solid surface is essentially wrapped around your island – While it’s an absolutely gorgeous option, It can get very VERY expensive! Some solutions when you don’t have an unlimited budget is to select a really nice laminate for the perimeter of your kitchen, and choose a similar (yet different) countertop for your island. You can also paint your island a different colour for a nice contrast.  All of these options boil down to how much space your kitchen has or whether you are planning on expanding into a new or existing space.

If you really want that island life but space isn’t an option, consider the addition of a peninsula. A peninsula has one end attached to a wall or other structure, with three open sides. Basically, an extension of your kitchen. A peninsula can be a great alternative to the kitchen island. They can house all the features of an island but can only be accessed from three sides instead of four. If you’re not planning on installing any permanent built ins like a sink or a dishwasher, you can have a lot of fun with the size. If you have a galley kitchen and enough room, consider a bar peninsula. This visually breaks up a long or awkward kitchen but adds a designer touch to a tough layout. We did this in our high end apartments and we’ve had nothing but rave reviews.  A dining peninsula is a great option if your space is limited. Make it extra stylish by adding stools, chairs and a set of pendant lights above it. It may be casual but no one said it can’t be stylish!

In my opinion Islands are great, and if you can swing it, the bigger the better! Mine is very large and I love it! I cook, entertain, and dine with the perfect flow. It may not be the island I REALLY want, but this kind of island life works for me!

Laurie Cole

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New View Designs by Laurie Cole Inc. | Phone: 506.472.8163 | Email: info@newviewdesigns.ca | Follow us on Facebook!

Clean, simple spaces. Unique, subtle patterns and textures. Bold splashes of colour. To define Laurie Cole’s designs is to realize that the space between objects is just as important as the objects themselves.

Whether designing a home from the ground up, renovating an existing room or house, staging and decorating a home to enhance saleability and price, or creating stunning model suites for condominiums, New View Designs brings a modern eye, and a unique flair to every project.

Most importantly, New View will listen to you, and discuss myriad options to suit your taste and budget. Contact us today for a consultation, and we will show you why we are simply the best in the business.