Kitchen Island Bars
Todd Plitt
The addition of an island to any kitchen area allows for more room to prepare food and store various appliances. But a kitchen island is also a prime spot for providing extra seating for simply kicking back with friends and family.
In order to discover the island that will work best in your space, it is important to first determine the style you are seeking. Typical island designs include a traditional center island that includes a countertop for preparing food, cabinet storage and a dining space accompanied by seating. Another option for creating a kitchen island bar area requires removing half of a wall that is enclosing the kitchen. The remaining half could then be topped with a counter and stools could be added to one side for dining.
No matter which design you choose, it is important to allow for walking room in order for people to easily move around the island. The bonus, of course, is that an island typically has three to four sides, providing room for storage.
Small kitchens might especially benefit from the addition of a kitchen island bar if there is not already a designated space for dining or food preparation. In this case, one side of the bar can be designed to accommodate a space for food preparation, while the other side will be reserved for casual dining.
