How to get the most out of your kitchen island

A well-designed island will give both functionality and efficiency to your kitchen - not just one or the other. With some smart planning and great designs, you can fit a kitchen island or a breakfast bar into just about any cooking space! KF Kitchens can help you turn your dream kitchen into a reality. Keep reading this blog to find out about how a kitchen island can transform your kitchen; space and design wise. You can also visit our brand new showroom for inspiration!  

How can I get the most out of my kitchen island?

How do you like your eggs in the morning?

A breakfast bar is a great addition to your home! It can consist of a bench that overhangs from your kitchen worktops with enough room to comfortably fit stools underneath. Basically, a table and a countertop all in one! You don’t have to get a large one either, a mini peninsula is big enough for two bar stools; you can also create a cabinet with shelves for extra storage. An end-of-bench surface even helps separate the kitchen from the adjacent living space, making your kitchen feel bigger by splitting an area up in order to give privacy and create two separate rooms. 

Another great reason for a breakfast bar is ease, as your food is prepped in the kitchen and then you simply hop on a stool to eat it! This convenience can save you a lot of time if you are a busy household and need to watch children, or do other bits while your family eats. 

Let that sink in

By adding a sink to your kitchen island, you can allow for extra space near the cooker and make things easier like washing up, while you cook. Sometimes even a small kitchen island or work surface is enough to make a difference in a busy kitchen. A compact island provides a useful spot for preparation and can be customised to include handy storage like drawers or cabinets. Having a kitchen island tailored to you will allow for your dream kitchen to come alive! Moving the sink or even your hob to be in the center of the island - to have extra room round the edge - can make your kitchen trendy but feature a bespoke design personalised to you. 

I followed my heart and it led me to the fridge

If you're a food lover or have a larger household, why not invest in installing an extra fridge within your kitchen island? Perhaps maybe just for the sauces or easy to grab items? Whatever you want in there, you can have extra space that will allow for a much less crowded main fridge. Additionally, another amazing feature you might want to consider is a wine fridge or rack. Wine fridges and racks allow you to store wine safely and conveniently - in one location. Fun fact: The cork of a bottle of wine will stay wet if stored horizontally, which is vital so that it doesn't dry out and crumble. 

The reason wine should actually be kept in the fridge is due to the temperature. When it comes to the serving temperature for wine: If it’s red, chill it in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. If it’s white, take it out of the fridge 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Leaving your wine to sit on the kitchen counter can absorb unwanted heat from the kitchen and used appliances. Wines at the wrong temperature, can lose all the aromas that you may enjoy. A white wine that is left in the fridge can taste too tart, while reds that are too warm may taste fruitless. But, wine fridges usually have dual temperature zones for each shelf, for example, keeping red wine warmer than rosé. 

Get in touch!

Our new showroom could feature your dream kitchen without you even knowing! Have you always wanted a kitchen island but not sure if it's right for you or have the space? Get in touch with us and we can advise you on the best decision for you and your home. We are more than happy to provide you with more information, click here to speak to one of our expert team members! If you would like to see our new showroom you can see our gallery here, to gain some more inspiration.