Kitchen Islands: How to Cook up the Perfect one for your Space | Fink Kitchens

Kitchen islands are a thing of beauty. But you probably don’t need us to tell you that.

Along with looking good, these countertop units can add an extra dose of style, sophistication and storage into the heart of any home. Especially if the placement and design of your kitchen island is well thought through.

Here at Fink Kitchens, providing a quality island of all shapes, sizes and configurations is what we cook up. But in today’s ever evolving kitchen industry, there’s an extensive list of features to think about when it comes to concocting your perfect addition. To help, here’s some tips to have at the forefront of your mind:

1. Functional vs feature

So, you’ve decided your kitchen is missing an island. What’s next?

“Ask yourself what you want the purpose of your kitchen island to be,” Sam Fink, founder of Fink Kitchens says. “Would you rather it be a feature? Functional? Or both?” Sam adds.

Depending on the size of your island, it could house a hob, a sink and even a built-in wine cooler. Or you could keep it clear and make it a feature with comfy bar stools flanked around one side and include open shelving or closed cupboard space. Or make it a mix of both. The options really are endless.

2. Consider the size of your kitchen island

Contrary to what you might think, you don’t need to have sprawling amounts of space to fit an island.

A good-sized kitchen island is around 1800mm long. “But the ideal size of a kitchen island is whatever best fits your room,” Sam tells us. “Often, the design is constrained to the existing space, although there are few work arounds.”

If space is tight, you could always swap a traditional design out for a peninsula island. A peninsula island consists of a cabinet and countertop that is an extension of the existing kitchen. It’s usually attached to your wall at one end, rather than a free-standing piece.

“Essentially, it can help you achieve the same function as an island but in a smaller space,” Sam adds.

3. Unleash your creativity

One of the best things about a kitchen island is just how creative you can be with them.

• Add a waterfall edge

“Waterfall edges are trending,” Sam says. A waterfall edge is where the countertop wraps around one or two sides of the counter at a 90-degree angle to the floor.

“It’s a visually stunning design concept and can create a seamless look,” Sam adds.

• Double up your islands

The ultimate kitchen design goal? “To have a kitchen with two islands,” Sam says.
That way you can have one functional island for your hob, extractor hood and sink. And then your second island is all about storage and seating.

“Although this will of course depend on how much square footage you have to play around with,” adds Sam.

• Contrast or complement your cabinet colours

An island is one of the places in the kitchen where you can make a statement – especially with colour.

“One trend we’re seeing coming through is a two-tone kitchen,” Sam says. “People are moving away from lighter and more muted tones and darker colours are coming in.”

For example, you could opt for a light colour blue with your wall cabinets and a striking midnight blue on the kitchen island. Or you could use different materials and textures, by picking a block colour for your cabinets and a wood finish for your island.

Interested in adding a kitchen island to your space? Get in touch with Fink Kitchens. We have a talented team of in-house designers and kitchen fitters who can take your project from concept to completion. Stuck for inspiration? Check out our latest projects here.