Out & About November 2017

OA interiors

The kitchen is very often the social heart of a home – whether friends have nipped round for a coffee, the children are having a quick snack or you’re just preparing a great family gathering. SOPHIE RANDALL highlights the benefits of a kitchen island, big or small, in one of the most used rooms in the house

B eautiful and functional the kitchen island is a must-have asset for any kitchen. Whether you have a traditional or contempo- rary look, islands are a real benefit and hugely versatile, proving to be the ideal way to create more kitchen workspace. Christmas is creeping ever closer and with it comes the thought of cooking the traditional family lunch, as well as copious other amounts of food. With so much to prepare at this time of year, kitchen worktop space is often at a premium and your usual calm, kitchen can suddenly feel very constricted. This is where a kitchen island comes into its own. Not only does an island make a stunning centrepiece for any kitchen, but it also offers extra, free-flowing workspace to prepare food and if you add a hob and sink, a place to cook and wash too. An array of different worktops can be used with a kitchen island as well, from granite or Neolith to wood – all offering their own individual style and fantastic benefits, depending on how you plan to use your island. In addition to worktop space, kitchen islands are a fantastic feature to add more storage and reduce kitchen clutter. You can incorporate drawers, cupboards and shelves into your kitchen island design. Great for housing appli- ances and with open storage, even showing off your collection of crockery, cookbooks and glassware.

seating really makes for an unforgettable kitch- en and is great if you are pushed for space, but still want a beautiful area to dine in. It also allows for extra storage as built-in drawers and lift-up seats can be included in the design. Whatever your needs, a kitchen island can be anything you want it to be and it’s the perfect place to show off all those Christmas goodies.

The kitchen is often the hub of the home and kitchen islands instantly create a natural gathering area for friends and family, perfect for entertaining or simply enjoying family mealtimes. They are also a valuable addition if you have children, forming a great place for kids to do their homework and allowing you to keep an eye on them at the same time. Islands can also make a great room divider if you have a large open plan kitchen/ living/ dining area, without making the kitchen seem isolated. You can feel part of the conversation going on elsewhere, while preparing a meal or grabbing a quick snack in the kitchen. If you do have a large kitchen don’t be afraid to think big. At the heart of a spacious kitchen a sizeable island creates a real show-stopping centrepiece, with infinite space and an abun- dance of storage. However, if you have a small kitchen don’t assume having an island will be impossible, There are a huge number of options to make an island work in any kitchen regardless of size or shape. Islands come with the opportunity to add some flair to your kitchen. Being bold and choosing to paint your island in a striking colour will turn it into a fabulous focal point and when teamed with a simple table and chair, creates the perfect in-kitchen dining space. Keep it casual and opt for banquette style seating for your dining area. This style of

Get more kitchen island inspiration plus bespoke kitchen and bedroom design from John Lewis of Hungerford www.john-lewis.co.uk | 0700 278 4726

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