Design and design options for a kitchen with an island, the rules for creating a competent layout
Kitchen design with an island is popular mainly in elite private housing, where a non-standard layout, the premises have a large area. The original interior can also be decorated in small kitchen rooms. The choice of manufactured models allows you to choose an option for typical perimeters and areas of kitchens, except for small-sized Khrushchev apartments, living rooms.
Features of the layout
The apartment where it is planned to install kitchen furniture with an island design should have a rectangular or square perimeter. Elongated rooms are not suitable for such a design.
Choice of sizes
Competent placement of furniture sets means consideration and ratio between the kitchen area and the island element. Ergonomics and comfort in the chamber depend on the distance from the island shell to:
- fridge;
- cook;
- walls;
- the Windows;
- other elements of the furniture set.
The optimal kitchen area for placing an additional table is 25 square meters. The spacious bedroom allows you to choose any model of the island. For kitchens measuring 15-20 square meters, tables with an area of 3-6 square meters are suitable. The installation of the island is convenient for the zoning of combined rooms.
How to choose a shape
The configuration of the multifunctional table, replicating the shape of the room (square to square, rectangle to rectangle), visually creates a harmonious combination. But this does not exclude the possibility of establishing a semicircular, round, zigzag island. Square and rectangular islands are suitable for large and small spaces, others for large ones.
Some subtleties of kitchen equipment
There are nuances, knowing that it is easier to choose a set of kitchen furniture with a central element.
Corner
The design option is suitable for both a spacious room and not. In a spacious kitchen, the outside corner is either a dining table or a bar counter; interior part - built-in stove, worktop.
In a small kitchen, the corner is formed by the bar counter, which is adjacent to the wall. The rest of the worktop is taken up by a sink, a hob or one of the work items listed.
Right
The straight perimeter of the island is suitable for a rectangular kitchen of any size. When choosing, one must be guided by the principle of similarity of geometric shapes: that is, respect the proportions of the sides.This means that the center table should be positioned according to the length and width of the room.
U-shaped
A kitchen set with a U-shaped island is designed for spacious rooms. In terms of capabilities, this may be the most multi-functional table, where there is room for a bar counter, dining table, and kitchen functionality.
Kitchen-dining room
The furniture with an island makes it possible to highlight the dining area in the kitchen. The dining table in the center of the room draws attention to itself, visually pushing part of the kitchen room into the background. In this case, the functionality of the furniture element is limited to shelves, cabinets under the worktop.
Kitchen lounge
The kitchen with the island makes it possible to zone the combined premises (studios). At the same time, the table is a conditional boundary between the room where food is prepared and the one intended for rest and communication.
How can you use
The design of the kitchen with a multifunctional central table makes it possible to choose a design for any request.
Additional work surface
The island can only be used for cooking. The sink and hob of the wall cabinet can be duplicated or not installed on the central part of the kitchen set. It depends on the area of the room and the size of the island.
With bar counter
Combining an island with a bar has several options:
- The wall-to-wall bar is connected to the island. The configuration of the furniture element can take an angular shape or extend to the wall.
- The island consists of 2 parts: a bar counter and a worktop. The rack is placed in width, over its entire length, made above the main level.
Design feature - the table top is extended by 40-50 centimeters for convenience, the height should meet the criteria of the bar counter.
With a dining table
In the event that the island is used as a dining table, there is no hob on it, and the sink moves to the edge.
With hob
The cooktop must be centered on the cabinet. She may be the only one in the kitchen. The kitchen will then be concentrated on the island. But if there is no sink, the main thing is the wall plate, which is more convenient to wash.
With sink
A sink without a hob is installed on an island with a bar counter, a dining table, or if the countertop is used for cutting food.
Table with shelves or showcases
The functionality and decorative character of the island changes if the designers use the volume and space in the lower part of the furniture element. Shelves or cupboards under glass are placed under the worktop to store kitchen utensils.
Small kitchen island with or without wheels
Small square kitchens can accommodate a miniature island, fixed or mobile. The mobile island is used in addition to worktops with fitted shelves. In addition, a hob can be installed on stationary furniture.
In both cases, the island top can be configured as a dining table.
Decorative functions of the island
The kitchen island not only extends the functionality of the furniture set, but also adds zest to the design of the room. The following elements are used as additional decorative elements:
- lamps above the table top;
- bar stools or stools;
- showcases with crockery service.
The possibility of color combinations in the kitchen is expanding.
Materials choice
The price and design depend on the type of material from which the furniture is made. The island element is most often made of the same materials as the main furniture set. Such an interior corresponds to the classics, modernity. For a loft, high-tech, rustic style, such a requirement is not necessary. The construction can be used in glass, metal, wood.
chipboard
Chipboard kitchens are the most affordable.The material lends itself well to mechanical processing, painting. The downside is brittleness due to sensitivity to moisture and high temperatures. Over time, swelling, burn marks and scratches appear on the surface. Refined models of island kitchens are not made of chipboard.
MDF
Pressed cardboard, covered with a film or veneer from expensive wood species, surpasses chipboard in its characteristics, in appearance it is hardly distinguishable from natural material. The island body and top are made of MDF in all styles.
natural wood
The kitchen is made of natural wood in a classic style, with carvings, stained glass or without. The color scheme of the helmet is designed in a natural tone: beige, light brown, dark brown. Natural material, despite the varnished surface, requires careful maintenance and compliance with humidity conditions.
When the air is 60% dry, furniture will begin to dry out and cracks will appear. Indoor humidity above 70% will cause the canvas to swell and deform. From direct sunlight, the wood sheet burns. The worktop should be protected from scratches with sharp objects, traces of hot pots and pans.
A natural stone
For the island worktop, natural stone can be used: granite or marble.In combination with work surfaces made of the same material, this gives the room a special sophistication and nobility. Marble products have a variety of colors compared to granite. But in terms of durability, marble islands are inferior to granite bodies. Marble is unstable to shock loads, it yellows and crumbles due to oily vapors.
Metal
The island uses stainless steel as the metal base. The material is resistant to aggressive environments, high temperatures. For the price, stainless steel kitchen sets are not inferior to marble and granite headsets.
Glass
The island top is made of tempered glass to resist weight, temperature, acid and alkali. It can be tinted, with internal cutting. Plexiglas is used in the decoration of the windows at the bottom of the table.
Sleek Design Features
The central element of the kitchen design is made in the same vein as the basic furniture set.
American
The American-style kitchen is the maximum equipment with household appliances, natural materials, simplicity of style.
Provence
Rustic style from the south of France. The room should have lots of natural and light wood furniture in natural or light colors. The body and the top are made of wood. Instead of boxes, wicker baskets can be used.
Classic
The classic interior assumes strict geometric proportions of all elements, in noble colors from natural materials.
Scandinavian
The laconic design of the north is close to minimalism. The island element is made of MDF, granite or wood. Subtle light gray tones. Solid board.
Modern
The modern style kitchen provides bright accents, the central element is complemented by a bar counter. The furniture set combines functionality and unique originality in the finishing of all elements.
Attic
Loft is an eclectic mix of styles, dominated by the kitchen fashion of the 50s-60s of the last century. The lamps above the island are designed as shadeless lamps, with exposed wires. If it is a dining table, the chairs are old.
english classics
The English primness is reflected in the furniture: without unnecessary decorations, in wood or MDF, rectangular.
Advanced technology
A high-tech kitchen is equipped with built-in appliances, glass, metal, LEDs.
Final analysis of the pros and cons
The advantage of the kitchen island design is:
- In comfort. Several people can cook at the same time in the kitchen without getting in the way. The zoning of the premises allows the chef and the guest to be on the same site.
- Extended kitchen functionality. An additional table can be equipped with work units, built-in appliances, storage space for crockery and utensils.
- Possibility of original design, since the style chosen in this case will be more noticeable.
The disadvantages of furniture sets with a central table are the dimensions (they cannot be installed everywhere), a higher price.
When installed in a fixed case, the hob and sink will require the services of qualified specialists.
Examples of out-of-the-box design solutions
Provencal style kitchen with island. White body, dark brown top. The table is raised to the height of the bar. A sink is mounted on the side. The table top is moved 40 centimeters. An addition to the design - wooden bar stools.
Classic style corner island. At two levels.The outer corner is raised with a marble top and serves as a dining table. The inner corner with a working space is equipped with a gas stove, a dishwasher. Above the stove there is an extractor hood, glass chandeliers. Wooden chairs are arranged along the outer row.