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Get More From Your Kitchen Island

http://www.decor-ideas.org 03/27/2014 02:23 Decor Ideas 

Many kitchen islands open directly into another room. If you don’t require seating on that other side of your island, it’s a great opportunity to make the island serve purposes other than cooking and eating. When planning for an island, consider how it can be used to your advantage, whether it’s incorporating additional display space, extra storage or even strategically separating — or connecting — other spaces. Here’s how you can make your island work harder for you.

traditional kitchen by Formica Group
Get More Display and Storage

These open shelves wrap around the island to create display space on two sides. This makes for a much more eye-catching addition in an open floor plan. Can you imagine staring at solid planes of material here? Meanwhile, a small countertop at the opposite end still accommodates some island seating.

industrial kitchen by Actual-Size Architecture
Although this island also has shelves below, the real eye catcher is the ceiling-hung shelves, which create a bright, casual cookware display. What a visual feast for diners!

traditional kitchen by Gatling Design
Where seating is not required, think about incorporating bookshelves along the length of your island — perfect for all those cookbooks.

modern kitchen by Michael A. Menn
Full-height cabinets block kitchen messes, provide storage and hold a TV here.

contemporary kitchen by BARRETT STUDIO architects
Get a Divider or Transition

A simple, narrow dividing wall, which seemingly arises from the island, partially hides the cooking area and creates a stunning art wall. Notice how the sculpture niche is finished to match the cabinetry, creating the transition from kitchen to the living-dining area.

modern kitchen by Hamilton-Gray Design, Inc.
This island does double duty with a working kitchen side and a buffet dining side, but it doesn’t stop there: The beautifully detailed end wall hides any mess and creates a lovely focal point.

modern kitchen by Divine Kitchens LLC
In this very open space, the island ends in a fabulous display area that looks like furniture. This concept blurs the line between cooking and living areas.

modern dining room by Ibarra Rosano Design Architects
Want to hide your dirty dishes but still converse with the guests? Use meticulously detailed cabinetry as a horizontal backdrop to your dining area — much more interesting than drywall. A narrow continuation of the countertop even serves as a buffet space.

modern kitchen by Ibarra Rosano Design Architects
In the same space seen from the kitchen side, small cabinets actually form the top of the dining “wall” and provide storage — bonus!

traditional kitchen by Insidesign
Get Table Seating

In this kitchen a working island is paired with a built-in banquette, making an attractive, handy spot for dining. This would work equally well with a rectangular island.

modern kitchen by Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects
Ease a Level Change

Many homes have a step or two from the kitchen to a living area, typically with a railing of some sort. Why not create a casual dining area as a buffer between the two instead, utilizing some great cabinetry?

More: How to Design a Kitchen Island

URL: Get More From Your Kitchen Island http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-23108.html
Category:Interior
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