Islands and kitchen flow

15 years ago

I love, love, love how everyone's beautiful islands look in their kitchens. But, I have to admit I took one out of our kitchen because I felt like it was "in the way". I couldn't stand having to walk around the island to get to my sink and appliances. Do I get the award for the laziest cook in the world or do others feel the same way? Is it a layout issue? Is it possible that in a different set up I wouldn't mind walking around the island?

BTW, we have an eating area with a table and a bar area in our kitchen. I know many of you use your islands for eating. In my case, the island was just extra counter space in the middle of the kitchen.

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bmorepanic

15 years ago

Like any other element of kitchen design, an island is in the eye of the beholder.

Islands aren't necessary or better than any other layout. Sometimes people try to shoehorn in "my island" whether it fits or not. In some rooms... they would function better as kitchens without islands. As you can see from some of the comments, people go into redesigning the kitchen in order to have an island, or a better island or a bigger island.

I don't think a plan containing an island is a goal, its a tactic. I think people are expressing a desire "for something" - community, collaboration, change(?) when they insist on an island. I think the social concept of island is maybe sold in the design rags in the same way they sell sinks. I think people shortcut the social goals into "island".

Well, but of course I'm sure sometimes its the more prosaic "more counter space" or "want the look" or kitchen for show.

You need the flow of cooking to work for you in your space and if that doesn't work, adding an island probably won't make it work (altho taking one away can help, as you know). It doesn't matter if an island contains a prep surface, a cooking surface, the cleanup area, trash, ovens, uc refs or anything else in particular.

Ready? No kitchen is an island. groans all around A kitchen is a collection of practical stuff meant to prepare food and a collection of social stuff about how you think your family and friend will interact with you and the kitchen. How those things mix and blend with architecture might produce island... and it might not.

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Comments (12)

Buehl
15 years ago
I suspect you had what's known as a "barrier island." A "barrier island" is an island that is b/w main appliances or working zones...and yes, then an island is a detriment to function. However, if you plan your kitchen carefully, an island can be a great place for extra workspace, "protection" of the work zones from traffic, a family gathering place, etc.

Ideally, you would not have any appliances on the island (like a cooktop) or have your main cleanup sink there (a prep sink is usually OK).
josie724
15 years ago
Dee, I'm with you, I had an island in the middle of the my previous kitchen because i needed both counter area and seating. When we renovated the kitchen we reconfigured some things, knocked down a large pantry giving me the counter area I needed. We did away with the island, I thought it might be a mistake because so many upscale kitchens have islands. But I'm glad we did, I gained extra seating and floor space, and like you said, I don't have to walk around it anymore to get to an area.
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rhome410
15 years ago
As Buehl said, not all islands are situated so that you have to walk around them to get to essential areas of the kitchen, and shouldn't be. If they are a part of the layout, instead of just plopped in the center, they can be a great help and really increase the usability and flexibility of the work spaces. If the barrier island is the best you can arrange because of the limitations in your space, I do think you're better off without, and you won't really be hurting the kitchen to remove it.
twobengalsandme
15 years ago
I'm just the opposite. I love my large island. It directs traffic flow, is my prep space, has my sink and garbage/recycling pullouts, wine storage, bar,etc, and has both counter height seating and bar height seating. I'm just moving back in, but the work flow so far seems perfect.
nomorebluekitchen
15 years ago
I just switched from a barrier island to a fantastic island! In my old kitchen the refrigerator was on the opposite wall from the sink, and I had to walk around the island to get from one to another. The island was also too small to be functional for a buffet and too small to feel natural gathered around chatting. It was useful for prep and that was about it. Old island was about 2x4.

The new island is about 5 1/2 by 3 at the widest. I have seating on the non-work side of the kitchen for 3 people (I have 3 kids) and we absolutely love it. We also have a table (or will once the floors are done) but the island is now a very natural feeling gathering place and the larger size works great for laying out food, etc.

We moved the fridge from the wall opposite the sink to the adjacent wall (next to the cooktop now) so my flow works beautifully. My oven is still on the far wall so I will have to go around for the oven, but that doesn't happen with the same frequency as the sink to fridge trips did.

Anita
amylovesbud
15 years ago
The kitchen i just ripped out had an island right between the sink and the cooktop. I had to do laps to prepare a meal and it was infuriating.

I've eliminated the barrier, but will have a large 9'x4 1/2' island in the new kitchen. The sink will be on the island and the cooktop will be directly across the 4 1/2 foot aisle. The refrigerator is about 3' down from the cooktop. The work triangle will have no interruptions.

I've always had an island and always loved it until I had the barrier set up. I would have been happier walking the 9' directly from sink to cooktop than lapping that thing.

An island can be a wonderful thing if it is planned well. If poorly planned it can make you hate your kitchen!
canuck99
15 years ago
Well we installed 2 Islands. One island 8'x 3 1/2 ft which is in the center, has the double front apron sink,DW on the right and recycle/waste combo on the left. The cooktop and prep area is against the wall behind the Sink (44 inch spacing) the cooktop area is 8' x 28 inch. (So like a gallery kitchen). to the left of these 2 island is the fridge/Double oven wall. To the right is the dining area over looking the outside view. OK where is the other island? The Island is in front of the first island with a 39 in spacing 7 1/2 x 42" It holds the baking area, wine fridge and has a seating area and opens up to the great room.

Once the new fridge is installed and I can find out how to post a picture or 2 I will.
3katz4me
15 years ago
I think that's where good design comes in - rather than plunking an island in the middle just to claim kitchen with island. I have a long narrow galley-ish kitchen with an island on one end - so it's not in the middle of the main work area. I love it - it's one of the best parts of the kitchen.
canuck99
15 years ago
Ok So with that all said we have an open concept 900 ft room with a kitchen, dinnete area and sitting/TV area in it. The Island(s) allowed us to have all the kitchen/entertainment area elements mentioned in an open concept room without walls. The kitchen use to be built like a fortress with waist hide wall keeping people out and kitchen activites in. Very difficult to move back and forth and get any flow.
susanilz5
15 years ago
It's a layout issue. Done right, and island should not be a barrier, I love mine, it defines my zone. I have access to all the appliances and cook and prep areas, and the other side of the island is for friends and family. It works well in my space.
tbugera
15 years ago
I love my island (and kitchen). It defines the work zones and play zones well enough. It is a "P" shape. the round part is 4 feet wide, 3 feet wide at the bottom of P and 6 feet long. With the layout of the kitchen it is the perfect hang out island. The "BEST" feature is space, ie: 42 inch isles. You can have guest all around the island and still have room to work and room for people to get by to access the different zones. With out a doubt make room for 42 inch or more isles.
The other day we were having a late meal with about eight friends hanging around the island, when it came time to eat, everybody filled there plate (buffet) and just naturally returned to the island to eat. My kitchen table remain MT. Some stood and some sat, but that night it was more fun to just hang out and eat at the island than to move (a whole 6 feet) to the table (they probably thought they would loose there drinks if they moved :)). What ever works.

A few things to consider
Layout is important with a large consideration to flow, in my kitchen i do not have to walk around the island to get things done, your kitchen is there primarily to cook but it is a "lot" more fun when guest are about to keep you company that can help with the wine consumption. I have no appliances or sinks or levels on my island (so nice, wouldn't change a thing)
The island certainly has to be large enough to be functional otherwise you will be tripping over people and any amount of stuff on the island look cluttered pretty quick.

The designed and constructed of my kitchen took about 12 months and is almost 100% done. Enjoy the process, take you time (i did), know that you will be eating out or eating cold cereal and cheese and cracker for at least two months, but it will be worth it in the end. I am sitting at my computer (where else) typing away with my cordless keyboard, on a very comfy piece of soft furniture in the corner of my kitchen with a hot coffee at my side.

Yes it was worth the effort!!!

Islands and kitchen flow

bmorepanic

Comments (12)

Buehl

josie724

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