Adding an island is a practical way to upgrade your kitchen without too much fuss. Beyond its functionality and versatility, a kitchen countertop can also serve as an attractive focal point. To craft a beautiful, useful kitchen island, below are a few details you must keep in mind when planning and designing.

How to Build the Perfect Kitchen Island

1. Consider Its Location

Kitchen islands usually take up a significant amount of space, so leave enough room between the island and other areas of your kitchen—it can be tricky to move around a narrow aisle in a busy kitchen. Similarly, a yawning gap between the island and opposite kitchen countertop makes it hard to go back and forth when juggling cooking and prepping. Take a walk around your kitchen to determine where’s the sweet spot for a multi-purpose island.  

2. Think About Its Purpose

Because kitchen islands are versatile, they can serve a multitude of purposes. It can be used for cooking, preparing, dining, and even doing work. When you want to turn it into a jack-of-all-trades, consider a T- or L-shaped layout instead of the usual rectangular style. Prep and cook food on one side, and dine with your family at the other end of the island. If you decide to have seating by the island, keep the counter height elevated or at two different levels to accommodate stools and chairs without compromising on work surfaces.

Kitchen islands can also be used for extra storage space—install cabinetry at the bottom to house pots and utensils, or incorporate cubby holes for stashing recipe books, dishtowels, and washcloths. And if you want to put in a sink, cooktop, or oven, be sure to carve out ample space on the kitchen island as well to house them.

3. Choose the Right Countertop Material

Once you’ve figured out how you’ll use the island, it’s time to determine the best kitchen countertop material for it. There are plenty of options on the market, and each offers its benefits. If you’re looking for something that can withstand heavy use but still look elegant, opt for a granite countertop. Go with a wood block for chopping and prepping areas, and use stainless steel if you want a clean, low maintenance surface. Remember that you don’t have to go with just one material—try combining natural stone with steel or wood for a unique design.  

When you need advice on how to design your kitchen island, count on the experts at Stone World at Red Bank. For more than 12 years, they are the leading supplier of natural stone kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, and fireplace surrounds throughout Monmouth County, NJ. Check out their gallery of finished projects online, or call (732) 385-5110 to request a quote on quality custom countertops.