One of the most functional aspects in today’s homes are kitchen islands. They can create a physical divide in an open floor plan, add a splash of color creating a focal point, and much more! Islands also offer additional countertop space, cabinets, and seating which makes a big impact on the efficiency and organization of your kitchen. If you’re still not convinced you need an island in your life, here are our top reasons to love kitchen islands! When you’re ready to get started on your kitchen remodel or custom design, contact Home Builders Supply Co. to speak with the Kitchen & Bath designer. With over 14 years of experience with kitchen remodels she can help you achieve just the right look – with or without an island.
ISLANDS ADD STORAGE SPACE
Kitchen islands can make a style statement, but their purpose goes beyond aesthetics. With added cabinetry giving you storage options, islands put function first. Custom kitchen islands can include deep drawers, tray dividers, trash pullouts, and many more design features specifically created with organization in mind. Features like these can simplify a cook’s time and make spending more time in the kitchen enjoyable. A kitchen island takes advantage of space with cabinet doors on the front and back of the island for easy access to stored items. An island is also the perfect place to store seasonal items or fine china that are nice to have in reach even though they are not used regularly.
EXTRA COUNTER SPACE FOR FOOD PREP
Speaking of the cook, have you ever taken a hot pan out of the oven and realized you have nowhere to put it? We have. Most foodies will agree, one of the most frustrating design issues is having a kitchen layout that is inefficient and lacks food prep areas. Having plenty of counterspace incorporated into your design to ensure hassle-free cooking is crucial. A kitchen island is an excellent way to add workspace so you can chop vegetables, mix ingredients, and place items from the stove or oven someplace without running out of room. Whether you choose to place your appliances within the island or on the opposite wall, having the extra counter space makes cooking much more convenient and stress-free.
THE PERFECT PLACE FOR FAMILY TO GATHER
Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and a kitchen island with seating becomes the heart of the kitchen. With open-concept homes increasing in popularity, kitchens have become the social hubs where friends and family gather to spend time together. When you entertain, don’t you find that friends and family make their way to the kitchen to chat with you while you cook? Kitchen islands make it easy for your guests to gather in the kitchen without getting in your way as you try to move hot pans from the oven or stove to the countertop. Plus, kitchen islands are also the perfect place for kids to enjoy an afternoon snack or do their homework.
CREATE A FOCAL POINT
Our last reason to love a kitchen island is because it is the perfect place to introduce a splash of color that otherwise may overpower a design if it was used throughout. For example, a black finish on all your kitchen cabinets may be overwhelming, but when paired with white perimeter cabinets it becomes a carefully planned design element pairing nicely with the bright, open area. Light finishes on the perimeter of the room keep it feeling airy and spacious, while the large black island makes it a warm and inviting kitchen. Two-toned kitchens are currently very trendy and when complemented with smart design choices your kitchen becomes timeless.
If you’re ready to start on your own kitchen remodel or custom design featuring an island, talk to our Kitchen & Bath designer! She will be happy to meet with you and work with your builder to provide you with the kitchens of your dreams.
First things first, what are work zones? Work zones refer to dividing the areas in your kitchen based on their specific function. The most common kitchen work zones are:
Cook Zone – this space contains the range, oven, microwave and other cooking appliances.
Prep Zone – this space consists of the countertop space used for preparing food.
Wash Zone – this space is used for cleanup, which includes the sink and dishwasher.
Keep in mind, there are many more work zones – and you can even create your own based on your specific needs.
Identifying these spaces when designing a kitchen is very important. Work zones help to organize a kitchen layout that will decrease the time spent traveling between zones and help your kitchen’s overall functionality. Not only will considering work zones help the efficiency of your kitchen, it will also improve the safety of your space. For example, having your prep zone near the cook zone will allow you to move hot dishes from the oven to the counter quickly, minimizing the chances of burns and spill. Overall, when designing a kitchen, think about your lifestyle and organize your work zones based on what will simplify your kitchen work.
During a consultation with the Home Builders Supply Co. design team, we will help you personalize the layout of your work zones. Based on what you enjoy doing most in the kitchen, we can create the perfect space for you and your family! For example, if you love to bake, we can incorporate a bake zone as part of your remodel. Or, if you love to have family and friends over, an entertainment zone can be added. This could include a large island with plenty of room for beautiful bar stools or even a mini bar complete with a sink and bottle wine cooler.
Traditionally, kitchen work zones were planned according to a triangle layout. This layout involves positioning the sink, range and refrigerator a few feet apart to form a triangle. Although this layout works well in small kitchens, you shouldn’t feel pressured to stick to this somewhat outdated design “rule”. In some kitchens, it can negatively affect the overall flow. The most important thing is to make each work zone flow seamlessly into the next.
The designers at Home Builders Supply Co. in Greenville, NC understand that each family is different. Our goal is to tailor each space to each family. We aim for kitchen designs to be just as functional as they are beautiful. Our team has the knowledge, experience and creativity to navigate you through the entire design process, and help you discover the options available within your space and budget. If you’re building a new home or considering a kitchen remodel, contact Home Builders Supply Co. today. We can’t wait to help you create your dream kitchen!
It’s possible you’ve been thinking about remodeling your kitchen for years. Or maybe, you just started thinking a kitchen remodel could help improve the functionality of your home. In either case, our Kitchen Designer at Home Builders Supply Company has a couple of recommendations before you actually begin your kitchen remodel.
Have you determined what isn’t working in your current kitchen?
Do you like how your appliances are arranged, how they flow with one another – or is one of your appliances in an inconvenient location? What types of appliances do you currently have? Do you love to cook, would a different type of stove improve your cooking experience? Do you need a larger countertop or more storage space? Do you like where everything in your kitchen is currently stored, is it easily accessible?
Answering these types of questions will help a Kitchen Design Specialist make creative solutions for your space, making your kitchen work better for you and your family’s lifestyle.
What goals are your trying to achieve with your remodel?
When it comes to kitchen remodels, not all remodels and clients are the same – each one is very different. One person may be focused on adding more storage space, while another is desiring a fresh new look, and a third wants to improve the flow from the kitchen into other areas of their home.
It is important to determine your goals for the space so a Kitchen Designer knows what is most important to you so they can design a kitchen that fits your needs, taste, and budget.
Do you have any inspiration that you can share?
A designer loves to see your inspiration, so show them your magazine clippings, Pinterest boards, photos of a friends’ kitchen—whatever inspiration you have for your kitchen remodel, make sure you share it!
However, the beauty of working with a Kitchen Designer is that if you don’t know exactly that you want, they can help you figure it out. As a matter of fact, if you have an open mind the sky might be the limit to your kitchen remodel. Every kitchen doesn’t need white cabinets and stone countertops. Our designer can work with you to add textures, colors, and architectural elements to your remodel that will be unique, beautiful, and function for you and your family’s lifestyle.
Have you considered what the budget for your kitchen remodel will be?
Because it is hard for a homeowner to estimate how much a kitchen remodel will cost, this can make them hesitant to share their budget. It’s typical for clients to have a general idea of what they want to spend on a remodeling project. We encourage you to share your budget, this will give the designer a starting point to help build a project that can fit into your budget. And, it’s possible that it could be a remodel that can be done in phases. This could help accommodate your budget now and create future plans to expand the project as you are able to do so.
Are you ready to set up an initial meeting with a Kitchen Designer?
Our Kitchen Designer Holly is not selling you a kitchen, she is designing a kitchen for you. Call her at 252-758-4151 to set up a consultation for your kitchen remodeling project. She will spend some time talking with you about your goals and budget for the project, and then you can decide if you want to move forward and work together on your kitchen remodel.
