Many homeowners put a kitchen island at the top of their wish list when planning a kitchen remodeling project. To accommodate one in your design plans, you should weigh several factors. Before tackling a home improvement project, consider the layout of your kitchen and apply these tips to get the most out of your remodel.

How to Add a Kitchen Island

Know the Dimensions

Determine the overall size of your kitchen before you lay out new elements, such as custom cabinets or an island. Are you expanding the square footage or keeping the same dimensions? An island that takes up more than 10% of the available floor space may make it difficult to maneuver and limit workflow functionality. 

Determine the Purpose

If a kitchen island is of paramount importance to your home improvement design, you may need to reduce the size of another feature or eliminate it. If you opt for a custom-sized and -designed island, you may be able to include additional cabinets, slide-out drawers, and a cooktop and stove. Decide the role your island will fill—whether for prepping food, washing dishes, cooking, or seating—and design your island to enable that task.

Choose the Materials

A kitchen island should be a seamless element of your kitchen design. Consider cabinet and countertop materials, finishes, fixtures, appliances, and color choices. Although you can always mix and match materials and colors, unity in shape, color, line, and construction gives a kitchen a sense of balance and cohesion. Make sure you include electrical and plumbing in your design if the island will include an appliance that requires water or a power source.

Homeowners in northeastern Iowa who need help with custom cabinetry for a home improvement project turn to the experts at Brincks Construction & Cabinet. Their team works with clients throughout the region, including residents of La Crosse, WI; Rochester, MN; and Cedar Rapids, IA, on innovative kitchen design and construction. Call (866) 847-3202 to schedule an appointment to discuss your custom remodeling project, or visit them online to learn more about their services today.