| Ask most homeowners and they'll tell you that | | | | an ideal place to relocate either the cooktop |
| there's not enough countertop space in the | | | | or the main sink, or to install a second sink |
| kitchen, no matter how much or how little | | | | as the focal point of a second work triangle. |
| they have. | | | | |
| | | | - If the cooktop will be located in the |
| Whether you need a second work station, a | | | | island, with a wall oven elsewhere, consider |
| space from which to serve an informal buffet, | | | | pull-out trays or drawers below the cooktop |
| or just a place to toss the day's mail, | | | | to store pots and pans. If the island will be |
| kitchen islands are popular solution to the | | | | a second work station with a prep sink for |
| lack of kitchen space. According to the | | | | cleaning veggies and the like, NKBA suggests |
| National Kitchen & Bath Association, over 50 | | | | including a pull-out wastebasket in the |
| percent of kitchens created include islands. | | | | cabinet below. |
| | | | |
| With the wide range of in-stock, | | | | - Be sure to plan for the mechanicals |
| ready-to-install cabinets, accessories and | | | | necessary for the locating the cooktop or |
| trim moldings available today, it's possible | | | | sink in the center of the room. For the sink |
| to create an island that will be just right | | | | you'll need supply and drain lines, and for |
| for your kitchen, at less cost than if you | | | | the cooktop a ventilation system-either an |
| turned to a custom cabinetmaker. | | | | overhead unit or a downdraft model. Both the |
| | | | plumbing and downdraft unit will require |
| If you are planning a kitchen remodel that | | | | breaking through the floor. That's fine if |
| will include an island, consider these tips: | | | | you have a basement or a crawl space beneath, |
| | | | but could present problems if the room is on |
| - Most importantly, there should be | | | | a slab. |
| sufficient space between the island and other | | | | |
| work surfaces to allow for opening cabinet | | | | - If your island will separate the kitchen |
| and appliance doors, and for two people to | | | | and family room, it can become a |
| work without jostling one another. | | | | multi-purpose unit that shows a different |
| | | | face to the family room. The use of shallow, |
| - Depending on your specific needs, the | | | | glass-fronted doors can be used as display |
| island can be located so it functions as an | | | | space, while the kitchen side uses |
| integral part of the work area. It can also | | | | standard-depth base cabinets for no-nonsense |
| serve as a divider between the kitchen and | | | | storage. The generous countertop is ideal for |
| the family room. | | | | staging a buffet. |
| | | | |
| - Adding an island permits a reconfiguration | | | | - And finally, don't forget about adequate |
| of the classic "work triangle" of | | | | lighting. Without it, the island will lose |
| refrigerator, cooktop and sink, because it is | | | | much of its functional appeal. |