Island worktops are probably one of the top things on people’s wish lists today, alongside wet rooms and all bedrooms being en suite. Highly sought after for their style and charm, they also create a really convivial space for cooking and socializing at the same time.
There’s a huge range of different solutions and options when it comes to island worktops, so where on earth do you start? We’ve put together this article to help you make the right decisions for your island worktop.
The purpose of your island worktop
More and more people these days are removing the wall and base units from their kitchen pretty much all together and replacing them with islands. Not surprisingly, these types of island require significantly more planning than an island that will be just used for peeling, chopping and food preparation alone as well as maybe a bit of socializing.
If your island is going to represent almost the entirety of your kitchen workspace, it will need thorough planning to make sure your idea is feasible as well as workable in the long term. Things like the availability of plumbing and power will also need to be planned if you’re hoping to have everything (plus the kitchen sink!) included in your island space. That said there are some truly innovative island solutions now that make the most of every millimeter of space, so it really is simply a case of planning, planning, planning.
The layout of your kitchen
Whether or not an island worktop is the right solution for your kitchen depends very much on the layout of your kitchen itself. There’s no getting away from the fact that the best shape of kitchen for an island worktop is either square or broad rectangular. In old victorian houses, you’re likely to find an abundance of such kitchens, but in more modern homes, achieving such a layout might call for a Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer approach to knocking down walls!
Alternatively, if you’re facing a complete redesign of your kitchen, or you’re building a new home, you’ll have more scope to achieve your dream. Once you have determined that there is space for your island worktop, you need to establish what shape it might be.
The shape of your island
The shape of your island worktop will be largely determined by the shape of the floor space you have vacant in your kitchen. If your kitchen is square, you’ll be able to choose whether you have a square island that consumes the large part of the free space or whether or not you want a more conservative, most probably rectangular island that runs perpendicular to one of your walls. If your room is rectangular, unless it is a very big room you’re likely to be forced down the route of a rectangular island. Either way, there are plenty of options, no matter how big or how small your available space may be.
Your island worktop surface
When it comes to choosing the right surface for your island worktop, there’s a whole host of options to choose from. These include: steel, concrete, wood, glass and granite, plus some other less common options. Each of these options has its pros and cons and which you’re likely to plump for will depend to a large extent on the style of kitchen you’re hoping to achieve.
Steel worktops can look great on a kitchen island, adding real industrial charm. They’re also very hygienic and easy to clean. That said, they have a tendency to be cold looking and can be noisy when moving plates and pans around or when preparing food. What’s more, they scratch easily, so if you’re someone who likes a pristine looking surface, they’re probably not for you.
Concrete is also a popular choice for worktops right now and is not only stylish; it’s reasonably affordable and highly flexible and customisable as a solution, but it does have its downsides. It can be a bit noisy and cold as well as heavy and it can be difficult to find a craftsman to get you the look you want.
When it comes to wood as your chosen option for your island worktop surface, you can go as traditional or as cutting edge as you wish, depending on the overall look you want to achieve. Warm, quiet, hardwearing and easy to clean, a wooden worktop is a great choice to suit either a modern or a classic kitchen.
Glass is one of the two other main island worktop options you’re likely to come across and can look highly appealing. Adding a certain edge to a modern kitchen, a blue-green glass top can look really stunning, but it does tend to be cold and quite noisy. That said, the downsides are balanced up by the fact that it’s easy to clean and resilient.
And finally, granite worktops again can look really stylish in a modern kitchen, but have a tendency to be cold to the touch and a bit noisy. Calling for particular protection against heat, you need to make sure you look after your granite island top to keep it looking its best. Using a top quality pot stand when placing hot plans and casseroles on the surface and giving it a regular granite treatment will help lengthen its life and keep it looking good.
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FAQ
1. What should I consider when choosing an island worktop for my kitchen?
The first thing to consider is the purpose of your island worktop. If it is to replace almost all of your kitchen workspace, you’ll need thorough planning for things like plumbing and power. The layout of your kitchen will also impact your choice, as an island worktop best suits a square or broad rectangular kitchen.
2. How does the layout of my kitchen impact the feasibility of an island worktop?
An island worktop is best suited to a kitchen that is square or broad rectangular. In old Victorian houses, you’re likely to find such kitchens, but in more modern homes, achieving such a layout might call for substantial renovation.
3. What factors should I consider when determining the shape of my island worktop?
The shape of your island worktop will largely be determined by the shape of the vacant floor space in your kitchen. For instance, if your kitchen is square, you might opt for a square or rectangular island. If your room is rectangular, you’re likely to opt for a rectangular island.
4. What are some surface options for my island worktop?
Surface options for your island worktop include steel, concrete, wood, glass, and granite. Each of these options has its pros and cons and will depend on the style of kitchen you’re aiming to achieve.
5. What are the pros and cons of using wood as a surface for my island worktop?
Wood is a traditional option for your island worktop surface, but it can also be used for a cutting-edge look. It is warm, quiet, hardwearing, and easy to clean, making it suitable for either a modern or classic kitchen.