Kitchen Island Plans

Expert - K. Stone of Adore Your Décor™

K. Stone, one of LoveToKnow's own interior design writers, provides design expertise for your questions. She's an experienced interior decorator, even running her own design business for the past three years, and is definitely up to any design challenge you can send her! Check out her website http://www.adoreyourdecor.com

Question

My wife wants to redecorate our kitchen and wants a rolling island rather than a bar. I think a stationary island would add more value to the house. Who is right?

Adding Value to Your Kitchen

Well, there’s really no right or wrong choice in this case, just different options. The final decision has a lot to do with your available budget, how long you’ll be in the house, and the desired function of your space.

• Movable Kitchen Cart – As the name implies, a movable island cart is a highly versatile piece of kitchen furniture that can be easily moved around the space or moved out entirely. If your kitchen square footage is limited, this portable option would be the best choice, so that you can choose to have more space when entertaining, cooking, or cleaning. This nimble piece can serve as an additional food preparation area as well as provide valuable storage space for kitchen tools and gadgets. Kitchen carts are often more affordable than permanent cabinetry, so this option is great for small budgets. Also, if you are a renter or apartment tenant, an island cart will add utility to your kitchen while still going with you when you move. You could even move the cart outside for a backyard barbeque party.

• Built-in Kitchen Bar or Kitchen Island – If your kitchen is roomy enough, then the addition of a built-in bar or island may be a wise investment. One of the major benefits is that this piece can add a bonus dining area for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. Eat-in kitchens are often sought after in the real estate market. This can be accomplished when the kitchen island is designed with a bar on one side which will accommodate bar stools or tall dining chairs. A kitchen island also adds food preparation and storage space, but the bar feature can additionally be useful as a spot for using a laptop or as a place for children to do their homework. This area would also be a fabulous buffet area when you are entertaining guests. Another benefit of a built-in kitchen island that increases its usability is the inclusion of a sink, stovetop, or electrical outlets.

• Kitchen Islands and Carts:

Sunny Kitchen

One Way Furniture – Kitchen

Target – Kitchen