kitchen desk island

Kitchen Desk Island - Showcasing The Versatility Of Kitchen Islands

A kitchen desk island really showcases the multifarious uses of a kitchen island, modern lifestyles and contemporary home design often dictate that kitchens are designed to make multiple uses possible.

To accomplish that, kitchen islands are often used to divide large kitchens and separate open-space designs, but they also bring the eating and cooking areas closer together by featuring bar shelves or drop-leaf serving areas that are easily converted into desk space during the day.

Kitchen desk islands vary in design or type.

Some are full-featured islands with cabinet storage and durable work surfaces and featuring eating or multiple-use shelves and bars, while others are in the style of work tables that serve as work horses before meals, elegant kitchen furniture after.

Plan Ahead

Islands are available in many styles including Rustic, Contemporary, Traditional, American Folk and French Country, Avant Garde or Hip, and others.

Some kitchen island bases are entirely cabinets, others have drawers and/or shelves, or are a combination of the three, but those suitable for use as a desk or study area usually have shelves that extend or open space beneath.

Most desk islands are made of wood like Northern Maple, Red Oak, Poplar, Birch, and plantation-grown exotic woods, but wrought iron - see the Culinary Island from Bago Luma, stainless steel and combinations of wood and stainless are common.

Some thought has to be given to the installation of a kitchen island that is to be used as a desk.

Electrical wiring, outlets for computers and other electronic devices, and overhead lighting should be planned ahead of time, and sufficient clearances for traffic flow while someone is seated at the 'desk' are essential.

A kitchen cart might be a beneficial addition to the desk island.

Work materials, books and files, more electronic devices could all be kept in storage there, then moved out of the way when dinner time approaches.

See more designs and styles here.