Industrial kitchen island lighting ideas
51 Kitchen Island Lighting Ideas to Brighten Your Counter Workspace
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There are so many ways to illuminate the surface of your kitchen island – from individual pendants to playful chandeliers to lengthy linear suspension lights and more. In this post, we've collected our favorite kitchen island lights from across the web, our selection covering each type of light in a wide variety of styles. Are you looking for efficient downlighting to illuminate your food prep? Or would you prefer gentle ambient lighting to set a calming mood while you dine at the counter? There's a lighting option for every kitchen island setup. Find your next kitchen lighting idea in the compilation below.
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This fixture is fully compatible with a dimmer switch, making it possible to enjoy exactly the quality of lighting needed for any given situation. - BUY IT
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Use this style of pendant to complement kitchen themes like nautical, urban modern, and more. Pair with classic Edison-style bulbs to complete the look. - BUY IT
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Each pendant boasts a drip-shaped silhouette for a smooth appearance. Choose from three finish options, each equipped with a black fabric cord. - BUY IT
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This piece is available in gold and black or flat black. - BUY IT
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Each one comes with three 12-inch down rods and one 6-inch down rod to facilitate different hanging heights. Equip with a single A19 bulb up to 60 watts max. - BUY IT
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Brushed nickel hardware ensures easy coordination with the most common kitchen fixtures. This pendant is a work of art – no two are exactly alike. - BUY IT
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Hang one or invest in a series to illuminate a larger kitchen island. Aged bronze finishes lend a vintage look well-suited for traditional kitchens. - BUY IT
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This design includes three linear suspensions hung from a single mount for easy installation. Use the included remote control to adjust the brightness and color temperature of the lights to suit the task at hand. - BUY IT
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Equip with a single 60W bulb. - BUY IT
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This design features a four-bulb design, each fixture adjustable to provide directional lighting right where you need it. A darkened bronze finish makes this piece suitable for kitchen themes like rustic and industrial. - BUY IT
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This piece is supported by a bronze metal frame, the matching chain making it easy to choose the installation height that is right for your kitchen island setup. This piece is also available in gold. Use to flatter kitchen themes ranging from industrial to coastal chic. - BUY IT
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Equip with your favorite Edison style bulbs to complete the industrial-leaning theme. This piece is also available in a three-light model to suit smaller kitchen islands. - BUY IT
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The chain suspensions make it easy to adjust the height, and the ropes can also be adjusted to bring the lights closer or further from your kitchen island at will. - BUY IT
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Antique brass details lend a luxurious gleam throughout. This attractive design is rated for damp locations, suitable for kitchen islands that include a sink. - BUY IT
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This piece is finished with a white glazed exterior and polished brass accents for a quiet high-end appearance. Hang alone or invest in multiples to hang as a series. Recommended Reading: 50 Unique Kitchen Pendant Lights
Kitchen island lighting ideas: 30 ways to illuminate all tasks
Considered kitchen island lighting ideas ensures your kitchen layout works to pull potential – illuminating the heart of your kitchen design. When planning any kitchen lighting think about how you'll use the space.
With open-plan kitchen extensions proving more popular than ever, the kitchen island has become an essential feature. And the right lighting idea is crucial to ensure optimum use of this kitchen design element.
Kitchen island lighting ideas
What purpose do you wish your kitchen island idea to serve? If you see it as more of a food preparation unit, you might prefer a stronger lighting presence. Do you see your kitchen island as more of a social space? Given almost all kitchen islands incorporate an element of seating to make them a social space, it might be best to consider the secondary lighting option to overhead lights, for adding ambience as and when needed.
In all examples, it helps to have localised accent lighting – such as pendants over the island – to add more focused light.
‘No other interior element can literally change the mood of a space at the touch of a button’ says Sally Storey, design director at John Cullen . ‘You can make a kitchen work almost 24/7 by the way you choose to light it. In daytime, it can be a hardworking, task-oriented space. Transferring to a softer, moodier scheme by early evening, and the perfect place to dine by late evening.’
1. Opt for adjustable rise and fall pendant lights
(Image credit: Future PLC/David Parmiter)
Getting the positioning of your island lighting right can be tricky, especially above an island that might double up as a work surface and a dining space. Rather than committing to lighting positioned at a fixed height, opt for adjustable pendants that can be raised or lowered as needed.
Rise and fall lights give greater flexibility, with their weighted pulley system that means the pendants are super-easy to re-position at a height to suit.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Jo Henderson)
Chose lights in proportion to the size and shape of your island or the area you want to illuminate. In high-ceilinged spaces, opt for an oversized light fitting or cluster of pendants that will fill the space better than a tiny single light.
A pair of vintage crystal chandeliers adds statement style hung above a large, central island. Position at staggered heights to add visual interest, high-enough above the island so that they won’t get in the way when working there.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Chris Snook)
Setting your hob into an island is a good option as it means sociable chefs can cook and chat at the same time. An over-island extractor or recirculating hood is crucial as it will suck away odours, grease and steam.
Choose a design that is at least as wide as the hob, otherwise all the vapours will escape at either side. And by choosing a hood that has built-in lighting, you’ll be able to illuminate the island area too.
4. Pick an easy-clean practical finish
(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)
Steam and grease can be a problem in a small kitchen, so choose a kitchen island lighting idea and fitting that is easy to clean and maintain. Opt for metal, glass and ceramic designs rather than fabric, ply or woven finishes which will get grubby quickly.
5. Illuminate kitchen prep space
(Image credit: Pooky)
For task lighting at islands where you’ll be working, choose a fitting that’s open at the bottom so that light is directed downwards. To avoid circles of harsh, bright light, consider lights with a diffuser at the bottom to soften the glare or use semi-opaque bulbs. Installing a dimmer will allow you to adjust your kitchen lighting levels.
6. Relax the mood with soft lighting
(Image credit: Wren Kitchens)
Think about what you’ll be doing at the island before you choose lighting. If you’ll be using the space for food prep, go for bright task lighting so you can see what you’re doing safely.
If it’s more of a relaxed sitting and entertaining area, choose a more decorative fitting that will give a softer, more ambient light.
7. Find the right light level
(Image credit: Future PLC/Mark Bolton)
In open-plan living spaces or kitchen-diners, hang island pendant lights at a height that won’t block the view across the kitchen. Allow a clearance of around 75-90cm above the work surface and the bottom of the pendant.
In spaces with a vaulted ceiling, like this, adjust the length of pendant flexes to allow for the angle of the ceiling, so that light fittings are positioned all at the same level.
8. Super-size lighting to suit the scale of your space
(Image credit: Neptune)
Too-small a pendant will look lost above a large island or longline peninsula. Consider a staggered lighting arrangement, or a row of three to make more impact. Alternatively go for one single oversized pendant to fill the space and make a statement. In a smaller space, with a medium-sized island, consider two mid-sized pendants that will better suit the scale of the space.
9. Choose stealthy lighting for a super-simple look
(Image credit: Future PLC/Rachael Smith)
For ultra-discreet island lighting that won’t clash with kitchen or decor, opt for minimalist-style strip lighting. A suspension lamp like this one features rotating reflector bars that can be fully adjusted so you choose the direction you want light to flood, either upwards or downwards.
10. Create a subtle glow at seating areas
(Image credit: Fritz Fryer)
For islands that you’ll be sitting up at, such as a breakfast bar idea, position lighting at a height that won’t dazzle when you're seated. Reduce glare by opting for matt, non-reflective finishes or opaque shades that will diffuse the light and cast a soft glow, rather than harsh, bright light.
11. Line up the light fitting
(Image credit: Wren Kitchens)
The longer the island or area that you want to light, the more light fittings you’ll require. When hanging three pendants over an island, position the first one centrally and then space the other two equal distances apart from it, depending on the length of the island.
Or instead of hanging multiple pendants, why not consider one long-line pendant. Opt for one that measures no more than two thirds the length of the island and position it with its centre point lined up with the middle of the island.
12. Create quirky one-off lighting
(Image credit: Future PLC/David Gile)
Try an industrial-style installation to add wow above a central island. An arrangement of simple bare-bulb fittings looks stylish and grabs the attention using luxe brass fitments. Use black lighting flex or bright neon-coloured cable to suspend light fittings from a central fitting with hook, looping the cable so that the fittings hang at staggered heights.
13. Take a soft approach
(Image credit: Future PLC/Rachael Smith)
If you're looking to add light without the choice of lighting design dominating choose a simple, neutral coloured pendant for the job. A streamlined choice of pendant has no frills, ensuring the design doesn't garner too much of the attention – leaving other design elements to shine.
Here the three pendants over the island are an effortless clay-like material, neutral in colour but tonal enough to highlight the wooden touches running throughout this stylish kitchen.
(Image credit: Malcolm Menzies/ Pluck Kitchens)
This stunning green kitchen features ceiling spots to create multi-directional lighting, for the more practical everyday tasks of cooking etc. However a fabulously futuristic pendant updates the traditional elements in the space. The attention grabbing Flos feature light is a bold choice to create a central point of focus in this modern Pluck Kitchen .
Because the practical light is taken care of, by way of the spotlights, this lighting choice over the island can serve purely to make a design statement.
15. Match lighting throughout
(Image credit: Future PLC/Rachael Smith)
Lighting over the kitchen island will not be enough to light the whole kitchen, so there will be alternative lighting options in place.
Take this opportunity to create a cohesive scheme by matching the lighting. These globe pendants are joined by matching globe wall lights to make the lighting scheme coordinated throughout the entire kitchen space. Take the uniformed look further by using the same material, such as the antique brass seen here, to match bar stools at the kitchen island, cupboard handles and even the toaster.
16. Add ambient light from the ground up
(Image credit: Magnet)
Think about the whole island when considering lighting. This style of downlighting is purely to add ambience, a key role of lighting in any room.
'If you want to really make a statement with your island, perhaps the boldest form of accent lighting is LED profile lighting,' advises Hayley Simmons at Magnet. 'Sitting below the worksurface, profile lighting brings bags of ambiance to a contemporary kitchen and is perfect for those that love to host and entertain.'
17. Blend lights into the background
(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)
White pendants against a white background can make the presence of lighting which is almost undetectable.
This idea is ideal if you want to benefit from the lighting placement but don't wish to make the design choice the hero.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)
To add the wow factor for a social kitchen space add jazzy pendants over the kitchen island. These magnificent globe lights feel like mini disco balls, as they reflect the surrounding space. They look fabulous even when not switched on, making them a welcome addition to the space both day and night. If using statement lights such as these it's a good idea to pair more functional task lighting, perhaps spots, to illuminate the remaining surface of the kitchen.
19. Let the light shine through
(Image credit: Future PLC/Mark Bolton)
Glass pendant shades are the perfect way to get more from your lighting. The nature of the glass material allows every drop of light to shine through the pendant – there are no restrictions on where fragments of light are transmitted. Meaning the lights are brighter, ideal to act as the main lights within the kitchen.
Simple sculpted glass pendants with antique brass details adds an elegant touch to this sophisticated grey kitchen.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Dewey Verwey)
Make the island the star of your kitchen space with a really statement light fitting. Bottle-like hanging lights instantly command attention within this contemporary kitchen.
When choosing lighting of this magnitude, consider using softer bulbs or a dimmer functionality. This is to prevent the island feeling overwhelmed by light, so it doesn't end up feeling too 'floodlit'. You want a statement light to attraction attention...but not for all the wrong reasons.
With statement lighting you can help to make the scheme feel more like a living room, rather than a kitchen. Don't be afraid to play with the design concept for your kitchen lighting, to make it feel more of a social space rather than just a room in which to cook and clean.
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Eleri Griffiths)
One single drum shade over a kitchen island is sufficient to highlight this as a focal point of the kitchen.
One dominant light placed centrally above the island is a great option for task lighting, provided there are alternative spotlights or downlights to illuminate the remaining surfaces for food preparation, etc.
By choosing a bold colour for a single suspended light helps to give the light more prominence. It's a great way to tie in a dominate colour theme to pick out with kitchen textiles and any blinds and furnishings.
22. Go glam with a chandelier
(Image credit: Future PLC/Richard Gadsby)
Who says chandeliers are only for living rooms and bedrooms? Not us! The kitchen is a great place to push the boundaries with lighting concepts. An open-plan living room invites the notion of blending styles – diluting the idea of strict living room styles and strict kitchen styles for lighting.
A striking chandelier looks especially grand if you have high ceilings, making the most of that extra height over the island. Use spotlights to surround the chandelier to add further drama to the scheme when all the lights are switched on.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Rachael Smith)
Make the light go even further with an elegant glass fitting. It's not just pendants that can grab attention when hung over a kitchen island, as this crystal drop lighting proves. The chandelier-style light fitting instantly adds an elegant edge to this neutral kitchen space. You can add an ultra glam light to a more rustic country kitchen and it still works.
Mixing the styles works wonders, provided the finer details all work in harmony together. For example, here sleek chrome cabinet handles coordinate with the foundation of the light fitting.
24. Let your lighting define the style
(Image credit: Future PLC/Mel Yates)
Your chosen lighting plays a key role in adding design flourish to the room. The kitchen can remain neutral in colour and yet the lighting can instantly determine a more refined style. Such as old-school chrome pendant lights help to inject a splash of industrial chic to this kitchen – enhanced by the exposed metal utensils rack and industrial-style wall clock.
Matching key fixtures, fittings and accessories can help to marry an over-all decor.
'Pendant lights are a particularly popular choice for task lighting as they have the ability to concentrate light above the island yet can also be used to create a stylish focal point' agrees Hayley Simmons at Magnet. 'There are almost infinite shade and bulb combinations for pendant lights, from exposed bulbs and brass fixtures for modern industrial kitchens, to period inspired antique pendants for country styles.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Robert Sanderson)
Choose pendant lighting that mirrors the style of your kitchen island, whether it’s a pair of oriental-style lanterns above an ornate, decorative island, or modern strip lighting above a sleek, streamlined piece.
Position a pair of pendant lights equally-distanced apart when hanging above an island. Find the centre point of your island to start and then position each one roughly 30cm away from the centre, so they are approximately 60cm apart.
26. Coordinate colours to create a bold look
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Richard Gadsby)
Colour in a kitchen goes a long way to add personality and flair. While most play it safely – and right so – with colours on cabinetry, the lighting is a relatively changeable way to incorporate colour.
Three contemporary dome lights are evenly spaced across the length of this generous kitchen island to ensure the colour stretches. A matching blue splashback and a decorative wallpaper in the same hue helps to take the colour further.
27. Let natural light dominate
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Douglas Gibb)
Think about how your lighting solution will affect the look, whatever time of the day. If you have the advantage of skylights to flood the space with natural light you might prefer to keep the lighting solution almost undetectable.
Here white drum shades provide a subtle stylish touch without grabbing too much attention. Obviously, after dark, the generous shades will provide plentiful light over the central island, which is essential give the sink placement.
28. Direct light upwards
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Richard Gadsby)
Using statement lighting that directs upwards helps to perfectly highlight the ceiling, creating the illusion of taller space. 'One of the biggest mistakes people make is to install just a grid of spotlights in the ceiling that don’t relate to the cabinets or the central island in any way,' Sally explains. 'It just creates a really bland space. For the best results, aim for general reflected light which could come from the front of cabinets or from uplighters on top of wall cupboards, that wash the ceiling with light.'
29. Incorporate lighting into an overhead pan rack
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Brent Darby)
Suspending lighting over a kitchen island is a design focus due to the space being available. Absorbing that lighting into a multipurpose pan rack, all the better.
'Spotlights work well in modern or minimalist kitchens and can really enhance a room’s features,' explains Hayley Simmons at Magnet.
'Smaller rooms and islands also benefit from this lighting style as including spotlights in darker corners of the room can really open up the space. Also consider spotlights if you have high-shine worktops, as the light will bounce off the surface and make the room feel bigger and more illuminated.'
30. Shine a colour enhancing spotlight
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)
Think about how the light will bounce off the surfaces within your kitchen, especially the island worktop. Incorporating colour with lighting is a great way to unify a scheme. Here LED lights suspended within a panel over the kitchen island will help to reflect off the surface below – omitting a warming glow.
If choosing overhead spotlights consider having the option of a dimmable switch. ’It’s essential to get the temperature of LEDs right’ advises Sally. ‘LEDs have a reputation for being too cold. A lot of kitchen manufacturers go for a much higher number which give off a really cool white colour.
This is fine for daylight, but you need something warmer for an evening environment.’
What does kitchen island lighting need to do?
When lighting a kitchen island, you really want to highlight the area. An island is often a social hub and illuminating it correctly can make it all the more inviting. To decide on lighting options, consider the area’s uses, is it a practical space for working from home and evening meal prep that needs bright task lighting? Or is it at the centre of catch ups and coffees, for which you’ll need warm accent lighting?
'The right lighting can transform your kitchen into a spectacular space' explains Hayley Simmons, Head of Merchandising for Magnet . 'The most important thing when putting together your kitchen lighting ideas is planning. It’s usually best to think about your lighting well before you begin choosing worktops and cabinets; the type of lighting you choose may inform your kitchen style.'
How many lights should my kitchen island have?
There are no hard and fast rules on the number of lights kitchens should have.
Ultimately it all depends on the size of the kitchen island. As a general rule of thumb designers prefer odd numbers, there's a thing thought to be the 'power of three', whereby things in threes are inherently more pleasing visually.
As a result choosing three pendants or task light options would add interest, rather than two which welcomes symmetry. But that's not to say if you want two you would be wrong to have two, because there are those who prefer symmetry to balance a look. It's ultimately a matter of preference.
Does a kitchen island need pendant lights?
As our ideas below prove there are a number of lighting solutions to enhance your kitchen island, not just classic pendant lights. 'Whilst pendants might be the most visually impressive option to light a kitchen island, again it pays to consider the activities the area is most used for, if they’re going to interfere with movement around the space, then they might not be the best option for you' Hayley Simmons at Magnet.
As long as your chosen lighting solution is safe and suitable for the space. 'Kitchens are multifunctional spaces, so whilst there are no specific rules or requirements in terms of IP rating for kitchen lighting as there are in bathrooms,' Hayley goes on to say. 'You will need your lighting to be as flexible and practical as possible.'
How to pick a light for a kitchen island
Having seen just a few of our ideas we hope it gives you food for thought when illuminating your kitchen space. The most important thing when designing a kitchen is to envision how you'll use the space. Use the island as the hero of the kitchen and ensure you have secondary lighting in place to make it standout.
We hope you're no longer left in the dark when it comes to lighting your kitchen island, and make it stand out for all the right reasons.
Additional words by Lisa Fazzani.
How to create comfortable kitchen island lighting
The kitchen island is usually located in the center of the kitchen, and therefore its lighting sets the tone and mood for the entire kitchen interior.
Choose the right lamps for the island, and it will become a place of attraction for the whole family and friends for long gatherings and pleasant conversations over a cup of delicious tea.
Read our article to find out how best to organize comfortable lighting in this part of the kitchen space.
Rule of three
In most kitchen lighting projects with an island, designers take the unspoken “rule of three” as a basis. It suggests using a combination of three pendant lights for lighting. They are placed at an equal distance from each other in line with the table top of the island.
The luminaires themselves can be exactly the same or have some differences. It is only desirable that they be designed in the same style, then the whole composition will look harmonious. For example, you can pick up three devices in which the shades have the same shape, but are painted in different colors. Another option: shades of different sizes, identical in color and design - a pair of smaller ones at the edges and one more voluminous in the center.
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Please note that the “rule of three” is not an axiom of interior design at all. Each interior is individual, and you can choose the lighting for it based on your own ideas about style and harmony. Your kitchen island can be lit up with more or fewer fixtures, as long as it's comfortable and enough to light up the space.
Deciding on the number and dimensions of lamps
Thinking over the lighting scenario for the kitchen island, rely primarily on the size of this part of the room. If the island is small, perhaps one or two lamps will be enough to illuminate it. Conversely, for a large island, the number of lamps can be increased to 4 or more. nine0003
By default, designers recommend placing pendant lights at a distance of 75-80 cm from each other. In this case, you need to step back from the edges of the table or island by 15 cm. The optimal height for placing appliances - from the surface of the countertop to the light source - 75-90 cm.
The higher it is, the more room for choice opens up before you and the more voluminous lighting devices can be. nine0003
If the ceiling is standard or low, consider plafonds-tubes - elongated in length and having a small diameter. Let them be a neutral non-contrasting color, for example, white matte to match the ceiling. Such additional verticals will visually raise the ceiling, and the kitchen will seem a little more spacious.
Custom solutions
Pendant lights can be considered a classic kitchen island lighting solution. But it happens that the layout of the kitchen, the height of the ceilings or the general concept of the interior do not allow you to go the traditional way in organizing lighting. For such cases, designers have a lot of interesting alternative lighting options in their arsenal. nine0003
If the kitchen table is moved to one of the walls of the room, one or more sconces on long swivel arms can be fixed to the wall instead of hangers. Such devices, in principle, will look very original in the interior, and you can also use them to change the lighting for different situations: raise them higher to illuminate the entire surface of the island or lower them lower and shift the light to only one edge of the tabletop.
If the kitchen island has a square shape, you can abandon the linear lighting scheme and place the lamps approximately above the central part of the square in one or more groups at different heights. nine0003
Several pendant lamps can be replaced by a single chandelier that follows the shape of the island itself (rectangle or square). Original design appliances look better in laconic interiors.
Plain furniture without unnecessary decor and walls with a calm finish can be an excellent backdrop for such chandeliers, without attracting the attention of kitchen visitors.
In addition to overhead lighting, you can make decorative lighting for the island top itself or its base. Recessed lights or LED strip are suitable for this design. nine0003
Islands with built-in lighting look especially atmospheric when the main lighting is turned off. They seem to float in the space of the kitchen without touching the floor, as if real magic took part in the interior design, and not modest hidden lighting.
Lighting can transform a kitchen space beyond recognition, but it is quite easy to get confused in the variety of design solutions and the range of modern lamps.
If you're not sure which kitchen island lighting option will best suit your interior, try classic pendant lights. Their plafonds have a simple geometric shape, and the color can be chosen in one of the main shades that are present in the decoration of your kitchen. Such a solution is universal, it will look harmoniously with almost any interior style - from strict classics to modern hi-tech. nine0003
Go to choosing a lamp for the kitchen island
stylish ideas of designers - 30 photos
Author Maria Reading 9 min Views 5.2k. Posted on
Contents of the article
- What is a kitchen island: design and its benefits interior styles
- Classic style
- Vintage
- Industrial style
- high-tech and minimalism
- Country
- Scandinavian style
- Unusual ideas of the kitchen island
- Kitchen island: photo
Capricular kitchen-Dream of any household.
However, an impressive space requires an appropriate design - aesthetic, comfortable and rational. Today, more and more owners of houses and apartments can afford such premises, and therefore the growing popularity of such a solution as a kitchen island is understandable. If you're also interested in island organization, it's time to learn a little more about this design element - its benefits, features, as well as a variety of shapes and finishes that will make your kitchen sound new. nine0003
What is a kitchen island: design and its advantages
In general, a kitchen island is a mini-set located in the center of the room, or rather, in its lower tier. Its layout is quite diverse: it can consist of a wide table top with drawers underneath and be used as a dining table, act as a work area, be equipped with a sink and induction cooker, or it can even combine the functions of a cooking base and a storage system.
All these features allowed the designers to highlight several advantages of the island:
- Successful zoning of space .
If you want to separate your work area from your dining area, nothing beats a kitchen island – and especially in terms of ergonomics. You do not need any redevelopment or the use of partitions - just install the furniture in the place you need. - Everything at your fingertips . As conceived by the designers, the kitchen island does not take up space, but creates it. Indeed, it can hold as much as you need and everything you need from crockery and cutlery to towels, tablecloths, groceries and cookbooks. You can determine the number and size of the drawers under the island top. nine0070
- Multipurpose . As mentioned above, you can design a kitchen island for everything you basically do in the kitchen. It is more convenient for someone to cook on it, for someone to organize a wet zone on it, and someone sees in it a creative symbiosis of a dining table and a bar counter. Either way, its adaptability is impressive.
- Stylish and modern look .
A couple of decades ago, many people saw such islands only in the movies, and their association with respectable and fashionable interiors is still quite strong. Moreover, the choice of design options today is quite wide, and you can order an island of any shape - a compact square and an elongated rectangle built with a broken line, or asymmetrical, in the form of a trapezoid or a semicircle. It already depends on your personal preferences. nine0070
Kitchen island: how to know if you need it or not
The benefits of a kitchen island are undeniable. However, it should be taken into account that this type of furniture has some features. In order not to turn them into disadvantages, you need to pay close attention to them and weigh all the pros and cons of such a decision. We are sure that our advice will be useful to you:
- Make sure you have enough space in your kitchen . The designers claim that the minimum allowable area on which the island will look appropriate and harmonious is 15 square meters.
If your kitchen is smaller or has a narrow and elongated configuration, then, alas, the island will have to be abandoned. nine0070 - Decide if you need island before repairing. First of all, this applies to cases when you plan to equip the work area. It may be necessary to install sewer pipes, waterproofing the field, installing electrical wiring for the hood and hob. All this must be taken into account at the stage of rough repair.
- Price . A comfortable and high-quality kitchen island cannot be cheap. Even if you have the opportunity to make its frame from the modules of the linear part of the cabinets, you won’t be able to save on the “stuffing” - a dishwasher, drawers, a stove, a sink. Plan your island expenses carefully - a detailed estimate will definitely come in handy. nine0070
Installing a kitchen island: some practical tips
So, your kitchen area is quite suitable for installing an island. The next step is to resolve specific technical issues, which include the following nuances:
- Finding a place for structure .
It is important to realize that the kitchen island is far from being mobile, and once installed it will be impossible to move it. That is why it is very important to think over its location in advance and make sure that it is convenient for you to use it, as well as move it past it to one corner or another of the kitchen. Also, plan out its shape so that you don’t touch the protruding corners later. nine0070 - Communications Migration Plan . Suppose you dream of equipping the hood and work area. In this case, you need to carefully consider the installation of sewer and water pipes, as well as the installation of electrical wiring under the backlight, hob and hood. It is better to entrust the solution of such issues to professionals - they will draw up a well-thought-out plan and competently perform all the work.
- Consider raising the floor . Summing up communications usually involves the construction of a podium, the height of which is sufficient for laying pipes and wiring in it.
From what and how it will be made - it is also worth deciding together with specialists. nine0070 - Design lighting script . If your island is planned as a work area, spotlights and hood lights may suffice. However, if the design combines the functions of a dining table and a bar counter, you can easily show your imagination using various models and the number of ceiling hangers.
The average size of a kitchen island is 1 to 3 square meters, although you can easily afford larger sizes. In any case, focus on your own needs and convenience. nine0003
Kitchen island for different interior styles
Kitchen island is a universal solution. It will be appropriate in any interior, and when made to order, it easily adapts to any design project. When deciding on the appearance of the island, rely primarily on the style in which your kitchen is made.
Classic style
The kitchen will be decorated with an island made of precious wood, with a polished worktop and expressive decorative details.
Especially organically, mini-buffets and bars with thoughtful lighting are built into such structures. The classic design islands are characterized by:
- rounded corners or rounded ends, oval or round;
- stained glass in cabinet doors;
- elegant decoration of facades - carvings, reliefs, elegant fittings, balusters;
- expensive and practical materials - natural solid wood for the lower tiers, stone countertops;
- Spectacular hoods, often fireplace type.
Classic interior styles
Vintage
When designing a kitchen island in vintage style, it is not necessary to strive for perfection and the so-called "elegance". Vintage implies a special attitude towards antiques and their competent integration into the interior, and therefore you can find many attractive solutions for the kitchen island:
- using an antique sideboard or wooden table as an island;
- rough woodworking - careless sanding, brushing, small cracks;
- spot use of decoupage;
- wicker and wire baskets as storage systems.
Industrial style
Industrial style kitchen islands blend harmoniously with casually plastered brick walls and leather furniture. The design of such an element must be thought out very carefully - designers recommend paying attention to the following techniques:0003
- metal and black glass surfaces;
- wooden base or rough top;
- glazed cabinets with smart LED lighting inside.
Choosing lighting for an industrial-style kitchen island that doubles as a dining area is a fun activity in itself. Several pendants with metal shades, black chandeliers with clear geometry, wooden shades and just light bulbs of various shapes on thick black cords - you will have something to think about. nine0003
Hi-tech and minimalism
In a high-tech interior, the kitchen island becomes a must-have element - steel structures add ergonomics and visual balance. Most design projects in this style tend to include such systems that have notable features:
- sharp, clear lines, flawless geometry;
- the use of shiny and chrome surfaces - glass and steel, less often plastic; nine0070
- state-of-the-art equipment.
The last point deserves the most careful attention. Before equipping such a table, it is necessary to thoroughly study the most relevant kitchen novelties. Perfectly flat hobs, ergonomic hoods, remote-controlled faucets - often a high-tech island looks too monolithic and equipped with nothing - although in terms of functionality it can significantly exceed traditional solutions. nine0003
- Hi-tech style in the interior
- Minimalist style in the interior
Country
Massive wooden kitchen island with half-timbered finishes can serve as a spacious storage system or a cozy bar for friendly gatherings. The designs for this style are quite recognizable due to their charming features:
- wooden cabinets and countertops;
- aged effect (scratches and abrasions), rough finish, carelessly planed board; nine0070
- curtains made of colorful natural fabrics instead of cabinet doors;
- wicker storage baskets installed on the open lower deck.
It is noteworthy that the island is rarely used as a full-fledged work area with kitchen appliances in country-style kitchens - at most, as a cutting surface with a sink. According to the designers, this is due to the traditional compactness of village houses, where it is easier to remove the working triangle in the corner - and leave the brighter middle for communication and enjoying delicious food with the family. nine0003
Country style in the interior
Scandinavian style
Scandinavian style is the ultimate simplicity and naturalness, which is reflected in the design of kitchen islands. You can't go wrong if you choose an element of your kitchen that has the following recognizable features:
- simple, concise forms;
- use of natural wood - including a combination of painted and unfinished elements;
- light colors - from natural wood to white, light gray, milky; nine0070
- open shelves for storage in the lower tiers.
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