kitchen long island

Kitchen Long Island - Bigger Is Better

When designing a kitchen, long island units can be especially useful.

In a large kitchen and or an open-space kitchen, long islands can easily be placed to divide up the room, create a 'room' inside the room for cooking and food preparation, or separate the cooking area from the eating area or the entire kitchen area from living areas.

Long kitchen islands greatly increase the work area and amount of storage in the cooking area, and, because of their length, they also give flexibility to the design of the kitchen by accommodating features like sinks, appliances, bar seating, and other design options.

Long Islands Require Planning Far Ahead

Long kitchen islands are generally installed islands and, therefore, require some planning.

Clearances for floor-plan and traffic flow should be carefully estimated in the kitchens design.

Plumbing may be required if the design includes a sink.

Electrical outlets should be placed on either end, minimally, and should be grounded or have a breaker mechanism, Overhead lighting is essential.

Most island cabinets are wooden, Northern Maple, Red Oak, Poplar, Birch, Pine, Ash, and exotic woods, some plantation grown, are commonly used.

Finishes are usually natural or oiled, stained or painted, some hand-painted or hand-rubbed.

Long kitchen islands feature an assortment of optional materials for top work surfaces that are suitable for cooking and food preparation.

Granite, marble, hardwood, stainless steel, and butcher block are all good choices and are found in kitchens of every style and decor.

Kitchens with long islands often benefit from having a smaller cart in addition to the installed island to extend service to guests in other rooms or outside on the deck.

Small and mobile, they can be rolled into other rooms as guests migrate and can be used to serve meats, breads, and cheeses.

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