Many people dream of a beautiful kitchen island, which, unfortunately, doesn’t always fit into the home. It’s not only attractive but also very practical; yet there are situations where a dining table is the more practical choice. Of course, there are cases where there is room for both, so they are not necessarily mutually exclusive; however, we are focusing here on the situation where we have to choose between the two.
The advantages of a kitchen island
Here are a few things – by no means an exhaustive list – that a kitchen island can be used for:
- Invite your friends round after school for a bit of a natter
- Doing your homework – you can store books and exercise books in it, and you can even fit a charging socket for your laptop or mobile phone
- Buffet table for gatherings
- We can draw, do crafts and get creative here
- It can also serve as a bar when we’re entertaining guests
- Extra storage capacity
- Additional seating and guest areas
- It can also serve as a room divider in open-plan spaces
In addition to the above, we can even build in an oven and a hob here; indeed, any other kitchen appliance or utensil – or even the sink – can be accommodated on the kitchen island.
That doesn’t necessarily mean we should rule out the idea of a dining table either
Dining tables can also add value to our kitchens – let’s see what these are. Often, there isn’t room for a kitchen island, or the layout simply isn’t such that we can incorporate one into the interior. It’s simple: if, unfortunately, there isn’t enough space, a dining table can be used instead of an island. That said, it’s worth recognising that a dining table is often much more comfortable for lunch or dinner; after all, we might not necessarily picture a classic Sunday lunch with everyone sitting around a kitchen island. Design can also be an important factor, because however attractive a kitchen island may be, if the available space is too small, it can make the room feel even more cramped. The space beneath a dining table is much more open, so the entire interior will appear more airy and spacious.
Another important consideration may be if you wish to clearly demarcate areas with different functions and separate the dining area from the kitchen. Some people find it more comfortable to have a separate dining area when, for example, entertaining guests or hosting a large family dinner. Another point in favour of a dining table when it comes to entertaining is that there are types which can be extended to seat more people in a single movement, so if you don’t need that extra space on a day-to-day basis, you can simply fold it away, ensuring it doesn’t take up unnecessary space in the room.
What should we bear in mind when installing a kitchen island?
It is very important to ensure there is sufficient space available and to design the kitchen island accordingly. This is important not only to avoid making the space feel cramped, but also to ensure there is enough room to move around the kitchen island. Furthermore, it is essential that the size of the area between the main worktop and the kitchen island does not hinder smooth workflow in the kitchen.
