Kitchen island ideas

We don't have enough countertop space and we are thinking about installing a kitchen island to get some more countertop space. It makes it really hard to store kitchen items and to cook. The kitchen is old and wasn't designed well but there is enough room in the middle of the kitchen to possibly install/put a kitchen island. Are there any pre-made ones that I could buy? If yes, can I get some web links? Need suggestions please.

 

A kitchen island is a very personal item. It must be designed to look good in the kitchen, blend well and be functional. It would be pretty hard for us to help you pick one.

You could stop at a kitchen renovation store as well as home improvement stores to see what is available. I doubt you would find any in stock but they should have books you can look thru.

If you want to look around online.... try the link below. When you see something you like.... click on the picture and it will take you to that site.

google image search - kitchen islands

 

Do we have to secure them to the floor or do the islands stay fine on the floor once they are assembled correctly? Also, I see some with wheels. Any recommendations on what kind I should be getting? Thanks.

 

I think it's a great idea to have an island on wheels.
I have a smallish kitchen and that would work for me.

An island without wheels will probably be pretty heavy and not be needed to be fastened to the floor.

 

OK thank you very much PJmax!

 

The 'island' in our kitchen came from a unfinished furniture store. It's basically a heavy table with drawers/doors on one side with an overhang on the other to accommodate 2 bar stool type chairs. It's easy enough to scoot across the floor to clean under it but heavy enough that it doesn't easily move if bumped into.

 

Make sure you have room for ref. doors and dishwasher. door to open. I wanted to put one in my kitchen but found out I need about 4 more inches.

 

Unless you're installing high-end custom cabinets, an island cabinet is usually just one base cabinet, or two base cabinets screwed side to side.
A typical base cabinet is 34-1/2" high x 24" deep by the width desired, such as 48" wide.

The counter top can extend out the back a little, or up to 10" unsupported in the case of 3cm granite.
The kitchen cabinets have unfinished backs so you would need to purchase a panel and some trim to finish the back of the island.

I would never put an island on wheels, it's a serious tip hazard. You could use wheels on a custom island, but standard cabinets aren't deep enough to be stable.

 

Ours is constructed from two base cabinets separated by 24 inches. The counter top spans both cabinets and provides a space on each side for bar stools. The counter top is 30 in. wide. Both base cabinets are secured to the floor. A duplex receptacle is located at one end of the island.

 

Doesn't code require a receptacle if the island is permanently mounted?

 

Yes, receptacles are required at a fixed island. A lot of customers around here avoid installing a new island just for that reason, unless they don't mind the additional work and cost of cutting into the floor or other wiring methods.

 

I found that there was enough space behind the cabinet drawer to add a receptacle box. The box is cut into the side of the base cabinet. We are fortunate to have a full basement, so wiring in the receptacle was no problem.

 

@marksr Yes, that is exactly what I was thinking as well. Do you have a web link of the item you purchased?

 

No I sure don't, that store went out of business 5-10 yrs ago.


something similar to this - http://vintageflooringandfurniture.c...and/index.html

except ours is smaller, top is 32"x48"