Size does not have to hinder beauty or functionality. Your small kitchen can look amazing. It can also perform well in food preparation. You just need to have a bit of an imagination and a lot of grit while undertaking the renovation. To make it easier, hire experts in modern kitchen designs. They can turn your dream into reality and exceed your expectations. Either way, you should plan this project carefully to get the best results. Install valuable additions like a small kitchen island. Consider the following tips on how to do this using modern kitchen design:
1. Study the Kitchen Layout
Take measurements around the kitchen. Get the exact width of every wall, cabinet, shelf, and counter. Draw the space on paper using the correct proportions so you can visualize how to reorganize, if you need to. See where you can place the kitchen island with minimal disruptions. Think about where you need it the most given your workflow and follow the shape of the room. Estimate the maximum size that you can afford to dedicate to the island. You may want a big work surface, but the space might not allow it. Make the most of what you have.
2. Ensure Ample Spacing
You should be able to walk around the kitchen without difficulties once the island is ready. Provide a minimum allowance of three feet around it for ease of movement. If more than one person routinely uses the kitchen, you may want to bump this up to four feet or more. The cabinets should swing freely and not bump into it. With this rule, you may want to revisit your sizing plans and make changes as necessary. It is also a good time to consider the features of your island and see how these can fit within the constraints.
3. Choose Light Colors
Kitchen islands provide more counter space for dishes that require multiple tools and ingredients. They may be necessary if your existing counters are small and filled with essentials. However, installing one in the middle can make the look kitchen crowded. You can minimize this effect by painting the island with a light color. White is ideal, not just for this but the rest of the kitchen. You can also try a light grey marble top or cream-colored wood. A kitchen contractor can provide you with options that go with your existing interiors.
4. Install Overhead Lighting
Ambient lighting is usually insufficient, so a layer of task lighting is provided in key areas. You want to have ample lighting above the island counter to see everything well. It will help you identify the correct ingredients and reduce accidents in the kitchen. Consider installing a pendant light that dips close to the work surface for focused illumination. One may be sufficient for a square-shaped addition, but you may need to use a row of lights for a long and narrow island. Use a lamp that matches the theme of the kitchen. Search for modern fixtures with similar colors and simple shapes.
5. Use a Wide Window
Natural lighting is important, too. Let sunshine in during the day so that you can turn the artificial lights off and save energy. Natural light also looks great. Ideally, you should have at least one large kitchen window to brighten up the space. Place the island near this window to take advantage of its free light. Remove any obstacles between them while you are working. The orientation of this window is important. You may have to use blinds or curtains if the brightness is excessive. If your kitchen looks dark during the day, consult the contractors about possible remedies.
6. Storage
The space under the island counter is great for additional storage. If your kitchen cabinets are already full, you can take other tools to this new installation. Think about the things that you are likely to use while preparing food. These may include knives and knives accessories, bowls, cutting boards, and mixing spoons. They should be the priorities. A small island will not offer that much volume underneath so be selective. You can create shallow drawers, open shelves, or closed cabinets. Check out multiple examples online to see what might suit your needs.
7. Minimalist Design
Modern kitchens are clean, simple, elegant, and efficient. They tend to have a minimalist design aesthetic that removes all the non-essentials. Make sure that your island stays true to this principle. You can browse online stores for ready-made furniture that checks the boxes or ask your contractor to make one from scratch. If you are going to remodel the whole kitchen, the second option makes sense. Use the same materials and color schemes around the space for cohesion. To prevent it from looking stale, you can add touches of wood for warmth or a flower vase for color.
8. Optional Seating
It is not necessary, but many homeowners like to add seating to their kitchen islands. It turns the countertop into an instant breakfast nook. If the kitchen is large, you can create an extended surface under which to hide the chairs or stools. Several of these can cover one side while the other side is reserved for cooking. If the kitchen is small, you may have to lessen the storage shelves underneath the island to carve out space for seats. Perhaps one end of the island can have two chairs facing each other. Experienced designers can come up with solutions that fit your needs.
9. Eco-friendly Materials
Sustainability is one of the principles of modern design. People want eco-friendly homes that use sustainably sourced materials so that they don’t contribute to environment problems. They also want to avoid anything with toxic substances that can harm people and the surroundings. For example, bamboo is popular because it is abundant and fast-growing. On the other hand, homeowners might be wary about high-VOC paints because of their negative effects on health. You can ask your contractor to look for green yet affordable constructions materials for the project.
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