THE MODERN HEARTH
The kitchen island is the 21st century equivalent of the old fashioned hearth. We can trace the idea of the modern kitchen island back to quite humble origins. In houses where kitchens used to have staff – the central oak table was the workhorse of the room. Everything was prepped here and it is not hard to see where todays’ kitchen island owes its origins. Not only a modern practical answer to much needed prep-space and storage, but an island the added benefit of being a fantastic social hub too. With seating for guests, the chef can cook and join in the fun.
Why Choose a Kitchen Island?
An Island can work in your kitchen for three good reasons. The first is that it can be accessed on all sides like the traditional idea of a kitchen table and can be used for a variety of uses. The second, is that it will be the focal point in the room and a freestanding piece of furniture in its own right. And lastly, a well designed bespoke kitchen island provides a space for family and friends to congregate. The cook can feel engaged and connected and the kitchen feels more open as a result.
Do I have Space?
The first question anyone needs to ask before including an island in their kitchen design is, do you have enough space? An ideal clearance to have all round your island is 90 to 100 centimetres. This will allow comfortable room for two people to pass each other whilst allowing for the opening of cupboard doors and drawers. When it comes to deciding what you need for your kitchen, don’t assume that because your kitchen is small, an island won’t be possible. There are many possibilities for making an island work, even where space is limited. If you don’t think you have enough room, Makers can help you come up with alternative solutions to maximise the space you have available.
What do I want from my Kitchen Island?
In order to know what you want from your island, it is always helpful to ask yourself a few questions first. Here are a few to get you started….
- How much additional work and prep space will I need?
- Do I need to accommodate a dining space or seating area?
- Do I want seating to complement the style of my island?
- Is storage a top priority?
- Would I like to house a sink or hob?
- Do I have specific items that I need to store?
- Would I like open shelving?
- Would I like to be able to move my kitchen island?
Island Inspiration & Ideas
Give your kitchen some additional oomph by choosing the right island for your space and lifestyle. We have chosen a few styles below to get your bespoke island ideas flowing. However, if you are still stuck or have some wild ideas of your own, please don’t hesitate to contact us or call us on + 33 (0)2 43 09 63 70. We will be delighted to hear from you.
I would also highly recommend Pinterest as a source of ideas. We have some boards there that you may help you on your way, particularly our Makers Kitchens, Sideboards & Storage board which showcases examples of our own work.
For examples of work that inspires us, visit our Shakers Style Kitchens board, our Kitchens & Dining Room board or our . You can also find inspiration from any of our other boards by going to the Makers Bespoke Furniture profile page
1. A Central Kitchen Island
With today’s shift towards open-plan living, the central kitchen island has almost become an essential feature of any kitchen. Whether you have a grand French manoir or tiny bijou home, a kitchen island can be sized to suit any space. A central island can be the focal point in your kitchen and where our attention is immediately drawn as we enter the room.
Photos of the making of this kitchen island can be seen our Kitchen Islands page. It is also feature in our A Bespoke Oak Kitchen for a French Manoir blog post.
2. An Island with Seating and Breakfast Bar
Almost all islands can incorporate seating of some kind. Even the smallest of spaces can incorporate an overhanging worktop or breakfast bar and a couple of stools. A long kitchen island could incorporate a lower level table style seating at one end.
3. Small Islands & Butchers Blocks
For those of us with a kitchen on the smaller side, a small island or a butchers block with wheels is a great practical solution. It can be moved easily around to allow for whatever is going on in your kitchen at the time. A butchers block or small island is perfect as a baking station, or for veg prep or crafting. Here at Makers, we can design your butchers block to include hidden chopping boards, shelves and drawers, extra hooks or whatever suits your space.
4. Freestanding Kitchen Furniture
If you are short on space, free-standing kitchen furniture like sideboards, dressers or console tables can be repurposed to provide valuable extra prep-space without taking up too much room.
We made this particular dresser for the tiniest kitchen we have ever seen in a local 11th century chateau. The room had high ceilings however, so a tall dresser made the best use of space with the maximum amount of storage.
5. Haberdasher Style Kitchen Islands
How about a solid French Oak island with deep drawers and open shelving? This is exactly what we made for a recent customer to imbue an antiqued, haberdasher look. We applied an initial coat of an Osmo Oil Tint in Graphite. This crucial first coat meant that the deep grey minerals in the oil would sit in the grain of the oak, highlighting every variation in grain. We then applied a coat of Osmo oil clear to finish.
Take a look at the finished piece on recent blog article ‘A Long Kitchen Island with a Haberdasher Vibe’
6. A Rustic Oak Kitchen Island
With a careful choice of oak, we can include plenty of character and grain even in a contemporary style island. Opt for simple and paired back design and let the wood take centre stage. We make our bespoke islands using traditional construction techniques like mortice and tenon and dovetail joins. We combine this with modern technology such as soft-close drawers to guarantee your island is handmade to stand the test of time. Our islands are built using only the best locally sourced sustainable French oak.
7. A Shaker Style Island
A Shaker style kitchen island works fabulously well in both a traditional or contemporary space. The elegant and timeless traditional cabinetry has a 5 piece door construction consisting of a frame with a central panel. This simplicity makes the design easy to customise. Opt for different finishes – stains or paints, and add style with contrasting hardware – handles, rails, and drawer knobs. An oak shaker island with natural wood finishes will add warmth to any space. Whether you prefer a natural wood look or a painted finish, shaker islands can work with various materials, from light oak to deep walnut tones.
And finally :
Door Handles & Knobs – it’s all in the detail
A vast range of handles and other fittings make it possible to design a truly unique kitchen island. They are the final details that can make all the difference. Choose from nickel, brushed steel, copper – even carved oak. Choose contrasting cool modern materials for a contemporary look or wood to provide warmth and continuity.
Enquiries & Commissions
Do you have the beginnings of an idea for your very own kitchen island? Not sure where to start? Call us on WhatsApp +33 (0)7 52 92 77 52 , or send us an email, or use our contact form . We will be delighted to chat over your ideas and see if we can arrive at a solution for your needs. Quotations and advice are free!
