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The kitchen island has become one of the most important parts of a kitchen – especially in houses with spacious kitchens. Besides offering more storage space, it also provides a surface that you can use for meal prep and eating.
Now, while kitchen islands are indeed amazing, they are not the best for everyone. Just like many other things, they have some pros and cons that you need to be aware of before you make this investment. So, let’s take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of kitchen islands.
Kitchen Islands Pros
Having a kitchen island can be extremely advantageous. Here are some of the pros you can enjoy by installing one:
- They’ll Complement Your Kitchen’s Décor
Let’s be honest – when someone has a kitchen island, it is the first thing you see when entering their kitchen. It’s a focal point. And if you pair it with the right design, you can create a magazine-like feeling.
“From the type of décor to the color palette, it can complement your existing furniture and even reinforce the interior style that you’ve gone for,” advises Emily Hilton on Foter.com. “Luckily, kitchen islands are available in all sorts of styles, from the most traditional to the more contemporary options.”
- More Storage Space
Sometimes, our ready-to-assemble cabinets and shelves are not enough when it comes to storage. As such, we have to clutter everything, making sure it fits.
A kitchen island will eliminate this problem, though, as it provides you with more storage space for all of your appliances. What’s even better is that it lets you add some more rta cabinets and drawers, so everything that doesn’t fit anywhere else can go there.
- Extra Countertop Space
Do you need more countertop space? You can rely on the kitchen island for it. The top surface is extremely wide, giving you more than enough space to prepare meals or simply have your ingredients ready when you’re cooking. Besides, it’s great if you need additional space when family or friends are coming over.
“Kitchen islands come in all sorts of styles, but they all seem to have one thing in common: a wide top surface,” says Emily Hilton from foter.com. “By adding more countertop space, you’ll no longer have to balance everything on a small spot, and you’ll be able to turn your small preparation area into a restaurant-style kitchen.”
- They Increase the Value of the House
Are you planning to sell your house and want to increase its value? A kitchen island is a great way to do that. It’ll boost the resale price, so you can get more from the sale.
Kitchen Islands Cons
Despite all the benefits, there are also some disadvantages to kitchen islands that you should keep in mind. Take a look at these cons before committing to a kitchen island:
- They Are Quite Expensive
Kitchen islands cost about $3,500 on average. There is the possibility of finding something that is much cheaper, but you might have to compromise on quality and materials.
“However, if you’re after the most luxurious materials or even more features (for example, to integrate a sink), you could bring it up to $10,000 or even $20,000,” says Emily Hilton.
So, if you want to get a kitchen island, you will need a generous budget.
- Plumbing and Wiring Are Required
With a kitchen island, you also need to consider plumbing and wiring for it. This is extra work that costs more. Connecting the island to the plumbing and electrical systems of the kitchen requires additional effort and you’ll need a professional to help you with it.
- You May Not Have Enough Space
Not everyone has been blessed with a large kitchen. If yours is small, then installing a kitchen island is not the best idea – islands are very large, and they require space. Not only would it take your working space, but it could also cause workflow disruption.
So, islands are not suitable for people who do not have large kitchens.
Final Thoughts
Kitchen islands represent the focal point of any kitchen, and they provide you with extra storage and countertop space. However, not all kitchens are large enough to incorporate an island. Not to mention that these additions can also be pretty expensive. So, you need to consider all the pros and cons to determine if it’s worth it to invest in a kitchen island.
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This content is brought to you by Oriana Kirby
Photo by R ARCHITECTURE on Unsplash
