Large one level island??
Comments (31)
brianadarnell
12 years agohouseful
12 years agoMine seats six and is 8.5 x 3.5. Your 8-foot won't be a problem, but the 6-foot might be. I think most slabs are more like 5 feet.
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Islands...all one level or raised area for seating?
Comments (47)lesleyp You probably already have your remodel completed, but in case you don't, have you considered removing the island and instead having a penisula between the kitchen and living room? This would really open up your kitchen, and allow two people to work in the kitchen at the same time. You would also prevent a narrow walkway issue when people are actually using the seating area. As for bi-level or single level. Ignoring the possible clutter issues, unless you plan on having a sink, or cooking surface, a single level will be more functional/practical simply because you will have a much bigger flat surface for all your work. The Bi-level will be more visually appealing, or at least, in 2011 it's considered more visually appealing. In 10 years bulkheads everywhere, and full walls separating all the rooms could come back into style. In which case, we probably shouldn't have start our remodel....See MoreAnyone have any comment on Island height? One level vs Two?
Comments (2)There are advantages and disadvantages to both. As fori pointed out, a higher level gives a little protection space behind a cooktop. It can also partially block the view of junk on countertops from an eating table beyond the island. If you love having a bar-height eating space then two levels is how you can get it. Personally, I like a single height. This gives you a larger space to lay things out (other than food) that you might be working on. It's great for cooking making/cooling. It invites munchkins to sit on the other side and talk or do homework while you're working in the kitchen. I just find it to be friendlier. The bottom line is, this is going to be pretty personal to you, taking into account who you share your space with and how you use your kitchen. Not to be mean to the guys (because we really did that the other day in the discussion of a previously disinterested husband who suddenly had left-field opinions), but if you're the one mainly in charge of what goes on in the kitchen, then make the plan suit you....See Moreseeking layout thoughts and ideas
Comments (5)Good information, Rosie. Thank you. I have definitely been focused on the "form" not the "function". I've been picturing the room, not working within it. I know it does sound gluttonous to want 2 of everything. To try to justify, we live in a quasi-remote area so I definitely hit the "big city" to stock up, hence needing two fridge/freezers, plus weekly produce from CSA. And with one sink front and center, two dishwashers are intended to be a place to stash and clean everything including pots and pans so there's not much out in the open. I do like the idea of putting a DW on other side; unfortunately, the only water on the range wall is a pot filler so I don't know how easily a drain could be added for DW. Taking away pantries on ends of run, I could have about 49" of base cab to work with, split 24 for DW and a 24 drawer next to range. On the island there is room for a 24 or 27" base cab, preferably drawers, at end after side by side DWers. This could be knives on top and every day dishes below, leaving the range wall flanking drawers for baking dishes, pots and pans and food storage containers with cooking utensils in top drawers. Small appliances in pantry. I feel my prep will be split between island and next to range. Non cooked items on the island (salads, school lunches, pre-prep not for immediate cooking) and by the range for items to be cooked right then. Right now it all happens in a 2x3 corner btw sink and range so I've vowed to not have "corners" in this kitchen!! I'm determined to have the space emote serenity, not frantic, crowded clutter! The pantry is to house items not for daily use and food. (and the microwave apparently, which is fine, I try not to use it for much but others in family insist there be one). With no basement or garage, this room will definitely be utilized fully....See MoreQuestion...add-on 1 large single level or smaller 2 level, $$$?
Comments (10)I guess it's still not clear. The 2 story would NOT be adding onto existing foundation. It would be a two story addition on a whole new foundation and I'm trying to figure out if it's cheaper to do one large room addition (new large foundation) or a totally new two story addition tied it into our current house (new smaller foundation). I'm located in the northeast just outside Boston. I would try to plan on just a slab foundation, we already have a basement, and there's no reason to enlarge it. The plan would be for a single floor addition: expand the half bath on the first floor to a full bath and add on a family room and small bedroom. For a 2 story addition, have the family room on the bottom floor and the bedroom above it. We could still either expand the 1/2 bath on the first floor to a full bath or add on a small full bath upstairs too. (we already have a full bath upstairs, but we'll really need an additonal shower in the future as the kids get older). It seems like there's conflicting info here....with a 2 story it would be less foundation and less roofing, but I know a two story addition probably requires a stronger foundation and the strength of the ceiling to hold up the second floor....See More
Cloud Swift
12 years agoOur island is 4' 3" by 8'. 8' long is no problem. Most slabs are as long as that. Our slabs were a bit over 5' by 10'. Finding slabs with a short dimension over 6' is harder and will limit your selection. I recall at least one kitchen on this forum with a one piece top that large when we were doing our kitchen so it isn't impossible.
How long is your reach? I'm short and can't reach much beyond the center of our 4' 3" island. Most people could probably handle 5'. Will you be able to clean the center of a 6' island? Going to two levels doesn't help with this.
Here is the picture of ours:
We like the openness of a single level island.
ktran40
12 years agomarcydc
12 years agoMine is 8 feet long by 69" (5'9"). 1 slab.
I have a curve so we can seat 4 there. 5 could fit if really needed, but stools would have to be smaller than what I have.
brianadarnell
12 years agojanythd
12 years agobrianadarnell
12 years agoirishcreamgirl
12 years agoktran40
12 years agoBelow is the island with the two level rendering. I am just thinking of keeping the seating area of the raised portion on the same level. If would be 8ft long and about 6ft wide. The funny shape on the raised portion is a little wider then the lower portion so that we can fit 5 people in.
brianadarnell
12 years agoUser
12 years agomarcydc
12 years agoktran40
12 years agonini804
12 years agoktran40
12 years agoNYSteve
12 years agoThis just in... our large one level island has just had the granite installed TODAY!
Angela
12 years agoCloud Swift
12 years agoNYSteve
12 years agoMarcia B
12 years agomydreamhome
12 years agoIf you leave the side of the island in the seating area open with corbels for support, you'll be able to seat more people. A 9' long island will comfortably seat 4 in this configuration on the long run + one additional on either corner/end. If you're trying to keep the island top to a single slab, the color and slab selection will be limited. While it's ideal to use a single slab, you can always piece your island top together. I think you'll max out though around 6' x 9' to 10'. Here's some pics for you...
4 pics, same island, different angles:
Hope this helps!
ktran40
12 years agochitown_remodel
12 years agoNYSteve
12 years agoamy2202
12 years agothis is our island in our current kitchen prior to the soapstone being installed on the rest of the cabinets. The island measures 3x9. This kitchen was done 4 years ago,( I wish it looks that clean and new now.
boxerpups
12 years agoWhat about double islands?
Sometimes this is a great way to deal with working
and entertaining while still having beautiful counters.
Of course the look of a big island is pretty tooo....
~bp
dianalo
12 years agoI have had both and liked both. In our last house, we had a large one level island and it was great for spreading out. The downside was everything that ended up on the island was visible from far away. It worked in the layout we had and our kitchen table was on the other side, so viewing the kitchen was not a big deal. The layout was completely open for our living space, so viewing any mail, or other stuff that landed on it, was the only issue. It took walking around to the other side to wipe it all down, but that would have happened with a 2 level at that depth too.
In our new kitchen, we have a 2 level, because we needed to hide the back of our tall vintage stove. It is another very open layout, so the second level helps block the view from the dining room and den on the other side of the island. I like how I can keep small kitchen electrics on it (no outlets in previous island) and I can also keep oils in pretty bottles, salt, pepper, measuring cups, etc... off the counter and out of view (the tall part is over 2 cubbies that face into the kitchen and flank the stove). It is very high up (approx 4.5 feet off the floor) so it would never be used for seating. It creates a galley kitchen for us without walls to close it in. I still have normal depth counters and am able to keep those spaces free to work on and not cluttered by accessories. I was messing with the program and it turned one top cab towards our kitchen, and that was how I came up with using the 2 cabs as cubbies. The middle one and the ones below open the other way (not shown). The height works for us because we have tall ceilings and the very open layout. YMMV.
I can only post a rendering because the real counters have not been installed yet and nothing is set up like it will be when the stove will be hooked up (have to use a single burner now). The brown part shown is hidden behind our stove's back and actually has a white panel on it.
constantinople
12 years agoktran40,
Here are some pics of ours -- though it isn't exactly what you were looking for since it has a bar height cabinet attached. It is 120" long and made of a single slab.
boxerpups
12 years ago
Angela