KITCHEN/BATH EDUCATION SERIES
Navigating Today's
New Kitchen Islands
A Kitchen Island's Shape Must Accommodate
its Function, and its Overall Style Must
Mesh With That of the Kitchen
By David Newton
NKBA Design Competition
K
itchens have gone through many
changes during the past 50 years.
Features that once were considered luxuries are now expected
by consumers. The kitchen island
is one such feature. Unfortunately, not all
kitchens can accommodate an island. The
island may create a space problem or actually impede traffic flow.
The term "island kitchen" could mean
80 percent or more of the cabinets,
appliances and counter surfaces are in the
island with only a few tall cabinets against
the remaining wall space. Imagine a condo
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on top of a high-rise in downtown Chicago.
The kitchen has a 270-degree view of Lake
Michigan. Or maybe your client is on the
island of Maui with a spectacular view of
Haleakala National Park or the outer
banks of the Carolinas with an ocean view.
In these rare circumstances the island
would comprise the bulk of the kitchen.
For most people, however, the "island
kitchen" simply means an island in their
kitchen. As designers, our first responsibility is to make sure there is room for the
island. The National Kitchen and Bath
Association has several recommendations
Top: If the kitchen style is traditional, the
island style should be traditional as well,
and not something different such as
contemporary elements.
The kitchen island has grown in popularity,
as well as functionality, and can vary in
purpose from food prep to kitchen table.
that will help ensure a functional as well
as safe island. These recommendations can
be found in NKBA's 31 Kitchen Planning
Guidelines book, which is available at
Nkba.org.
NKBA suggests a work space for
the cook of 42 in. between the counter
overhang of the main part of the kitchen to