Over the years, our kitchens have become more than just a place to cook and eat. Since the onset of this trend, we have had more and more customers at Paquin Interiors requesting larger and multi-functional kitchen islands. Kitchen islands are not only serving as a space for meals, but also for workstations, game night, homework, and entertainment areas for our family and friends.
As we continue to remodel kitchens, the request for a larger kitchen island has become a direct response to the needs of today's modern family. We have found that more people are now living in open spaces where rooms are defined by the individual needs of the family that occupy them. Traditional and formal dining rooms have taken a back seat to more casual and multi-functional seating option. Fewer walls and spaces for closets has increased the need for creative storage solutions.
Cabinet manufacturers have recognized this trend and are now offering more and more options in their designs. Kitchen islands are now being tailored to a homeowner’s preferences. For those that like to bake, we now have specialized baking stations that easily lift with mixer in place. For the wine enthusiast, a wine rack can be built into an end cap. Microwaves, ice makers and trash bins now fit seamlessly and out-of-site under the oversized kitchen island.
When designing your space, a good rule of thumb is that a kitchen island should only occupy 10 - 15% of your total space, remembering to leave 36" - 42" of walking space around it. This is not to say that larger kitchen islands won't work, but we would advise you to get the advice of a trained kitchen designer before making any major decisions. Cabinet and countertop mistakes can be costly.
At Paquin Interiors, consultations are cost-free. If you're looking to get started on your kitchen remodeling project, the best place to start is with a conversation. Contact us to set up a personalized appointment in our kitchen design showroom. We look forward to working with you!