If you’re considering redoing your kitchen or simply want to update your current layout, you may want to include a kitchen island. Often found in an open concept kitchen, its versatility and airy design make for a terrific addition to any home. However, since a kitchen island is often the main focus of your space and the first thing people notice about the architecture; it is important to make sure you pick the perfect features that fit your taste and lifestyle.
- Style & Finish
Since a kitchen island will be an important part of your overall kitchen design, you want to make sure the style and finish of your island fits well with your countertops, solid wood cabinetry, and backsplash. You can go with a consistent, monochromatic design, or mix things up with a trendy, two-toned look. If you want to be sure the style and finish you have chosen will look appropriate in your kitchen, The RTA Store offers a free online design service to help you bring your vision to life. After seeing your custom layout and photorealistic rendering, you can either purchase ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets or pre-assembled cabinets depending on your budget and time span.
- Countertops
A kitchen island is composed of two main parts, the cabinets and the countertops. Once you’ve chosen the style and finish of your cabinetry, its time to pick a countertop design that will accentuate your choices. Countertops come in a variety of materials with unique characteristics — from Quartz and Quartzite to Acrylic and Granite. Once you select the right countertops for your kitchen island from The RTA Store, a local fabricator will come to your home to install your countertops and ensure they are a good fit.
- Height
A kitchen island can be a great place to provide additional seating, whether it’s a casual breakfast bar for the family or a spot for entertaining guests. It’s important to have an island with a height suitable for your needs. A tall, bar-top island helps to divide an open concept kitchen and keeps things at eye level. A counter height island adds more workspace for meal prep or setting out a buffet spread. Keep height, comfort, and traffic flow in mind when purchasing stools for your kitchen island.
- Kitchen Sink
You will also need to decide if you want to add a sink to your kitchen island. A majority of the time spent in the kitchen is spent at the sink, cleaning fruits and vegetables, washing dishes, and straining pasta. If you love an open concept kitchen design and want to socialize while cooking instead of staring at your solid wood cabinetry, an island sink may be great for you. However, if you despise doing dishes and want to keep most of the activity away from the center of attention, you may want to opt for a simpler island to ensure the spotlight of your kitchen is clean and seamless.
- Lighting
Lighting can be an extremely important aspect to the overall look of your new kitchen island. It is important to pick lighting that will complement your island design. If you have a simple white island with plain countertops, an elegant chandelier may spice up the space. But if you choose countertops with a unique pattern and a large sink, a few simple pendant lights may be a better choice.
At The RTA Store we help make your dream home a reality with RTA (Ready To Assemble) and Pre-Assembled cabinets and accessories. Whether it’s your kitchen bathroom, laundry room, home office, bar room or TV room, we offer the same (if not better) quality you would find at any retail store, but for a fraction of the price. Stop by our website or give us a call and let us make your dreams come true with the help of our free room design tool!
