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4 Tricks to Designing a Practical, Yet Stylish Kitchen Island
Find out how to plan a kitchen island with extraordinary capabilities and phenomenal good looks.
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A cleverly planned island is the design hero of any kitchen layout, thanks to its incredible ability to solve a multitude of space dilemmas and practical conundrums in one go. From adding extra storage and food prep areas, to creating eating spots and housing appliances in a conveniently central location, your kitchen island works zealously to make life that little bit easier.
However, if you’re worried that a hardworking island in the centre of your kitchen is going to feel busy, chaotic and disrupt your sleek, minimal design, then think again. The key is to incorporate slick, streamlined appliances that will ensure your island works hard yet looks gorgeous as the same time. Here’s how.
However, if you’re worried that a hardworking island in the centre of your kitchen is going to feel busy, chaotic and disrupt your sleek, minimal design, then think again. The key is to incorporate slick, streamlined appliances that will ensure your island works hard yet looks gorgeous as the same time. Here’s how.
Disguise the hob
A hob positioned on an island is a brilliant way of creating a social kitchen atmosphere and showing off your cooking skills while chatting with guests. But how do you choose a design that will ensure a smart appearance once all the cooking is done?
The answer is to opt for a sleek induction hob that sits flush with the surface and offers streamlined, touch screen operation. And for that extra concealed look, a hob with an interface that becomes invisible when not in use, is ideal.
Bonus tip: When thinking about the best position for the hob on an island, ensure it’s at least 60cm from the end of the island to allow sufficient space for pan handles. If you’re fitting a sink on the island too, you should also leave around 60cm between the hob and sink for health and safety reasons.
A hob positioned on an island is a brilliant way of creating a social kitchen atmosphere and showing off your cooking skills while chatting with guests. But how do you choose a design that will ensure a smart appearance once all the cooking is done?
The answer is to opt for a sleek induction hob that sits flush with the surface and offers streamlined, touch screen operation. And for that extra concealed look, a hob with an interface that becomes invisible when not in use, is ideal.
Bonus tip: When thinking about the best position for the hob on an island, ensure it’s at least 60cm from the end of the island to allow sufficient space for pan handles. If you’re fitting a sink on the island too, you should also leave around 60cm between the hob and sink for health and safety reasons.
Conceal your cooker hood
Cooking smells don’t add to a minimal ambience, particularly in open-plan spaces, but then neither does a prominent cooker hood that interrupts the eye line when chatting with guests. An option is to go for a downdraft extractor that sits behind the hob, providing worktop ventilation and retracting into the work surface when not in use. You won’t need to compromise on the size of your hob, and while it’s on show, the clear glass design of the extractor fan looks beautiful in the space. You can also use the built-in emotionLight Pro to customise the hob’s light colour through the Home Connect App.
Another innovative option is an induction hob that features a pioneering integrated ventilation system. By removing the need for a separate extractor, the integrated hob creates a sense of space and maximises the cooking and entertaining area.
Bonus tip: Alternatively, if you want to bring a focal point to your island, an over-head extractor with clean, angular lines will look equally impressive, especially if it can be lowered when cooking and raised when not in use.
Cooking smells don’t add to a minimal ambience, particularly in open-plan spaces, but then neither does a prominent cooker hood that interrupts the eye line when chatting with guests. An option is to go for a downdraft extractor that sits behind the hob, providing worktop ventilation and retracting into the work surface when not in use. You won’t need to compromise on the size of your hob, and while it’s on show, the clear glass design of the extractor fan looks beautiful in the space. You can also use the built-in emotionLight Pro to customise the hob’s light colour through the Home Connect App.
Another innovative option is an induction hob that features a pioneering integrated ventilation system. By removing the need for a separate extractor, the integrated hob creates a sense of space and maximises the cooking and entertaining area.
Bonus tip: Alternatively, if you want to bring a focal point to your island, an over-head extractor with clean, angular lines will look equally impressive, especially if it can be lowered when cooking and raised when not in use.
Tuck in a dishwasher
Locating your dishwasher in your island is a brilliant solution as its central position will provide easy access, so everyone can get involved with the clear up. This convenient spot will also make it simple to reach every cabinet when it’s time to unload the dishes.
For a neat finish, choose an integrated dishwasher design without handles that sits stylishly within your island and doesn’t interrupt the sleek lines.
Bonus tip: Concerned that a dishwasher on your island might mean a cluttered worktop disturbing your kitchens’ zen? Then why not fit two dishwashers side by side, or on opposite sides of the kitchen? That way you’ll always be guaranteed a clean and orderly space.
Locating your dishwasher in your island is a brilliant solution as its central position will provide easy access, so everyone can get involved with the clear up. This convenient spot will also make it simple to reach every cabinet when it’s time to unload the dishes.
For a neat finish, choose an integrated dishwasher design without handles that sits stylishly within your island and doesn’t interrupt the sleek lines.
Bonus tip: Concerned that a dishwasher on your island might mean a cluttered worktop disturbing your kitchens’ zen? Then why not fit two dishwashers side by side, or on opposite sides of the kitchen? That way you’ll always be guaranteed a clean and orderly space.
Display your wine collection
Open storage is a great way to add a layer of interest to a minimal island, so consider combining the stylish feel of open shelving with wine storage by integrating a wine cabinet into your island design.
By choosing a wine cabinet with oak internal shelving you’ll create an eye-catching display, which you can then continue onto open oak shelves elsewhere in the space for continuity. The soft LED lighting inside the wine cabinet is also perfect for evening ambience.
Bonus tip: Positioning the cabinet on the dining table side of the island will make it easy to pull out an extra bottle during dinner, and also allow guests to help themselves.
For more information about innovative Siemens products visit their website.
Tell us…
How have you incorporated appliances into your island? Share your ideas in the Comments.
Open storage is a great way to add a layer of interest to a minimal island, so consider combining the stylish feel of open shelving with wine storage by integrating a wine cabinet into your island design.
By choosing a wine cabinet with oak internal shelving you’ll create an eye-catching display, which you can then continue onto open oak shelves elsewhere in the space for continuity. The soft LED lighting inside the wine cabinet is also perfect for evening ambience.
Bonus tip: Positioning the cabinet on the dining table side of the island will make it easy to pull out an extra bottle during dinner, and also allow guests to help themselves.
For more information about innovative Siemens products visit their website.
Tell us…
How have you incorporated appliances into your island? Share your ideas in the Comments.
- This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team
Siemens is a premier household appliance brand, which sets new global standards in terms of technology,... Read More
Siemens is a premier household appliance brand, which sets new global standards in terms of technology,... Read More
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I think so many of these kitchen designers forget that when taking stuff out of the oven you need a heat proof work top very near by to put hot trays etc down on to. So many people I've spoken to complain about that when they've had a new kitchen put in that is what's missing . I'm glad I design my own kitchens. I"ve often wondered if the male kitchen designers I've met even own their own houses and I'm certain none of them have done any cooking or baking.
kitchen is for cooking so i like to see jars around cookery books.I am not keen on kitchens that look like offices.
why on earth would you want to hide a hob? A kitchen is for cooking in, if you don't want it to look like a kitchen what is it???? kitchens are becoming soulless space stations. i imagine the people who like this look eat out most of the time, but tricky during Covid.