With open-concept kitchen designs almost being the default choice at this point, kitchen islands have become a staple in kitchen renovations, and new home builds.

A kitchen island can add style to your space but it’s important to focus on functionality. It can provide more counter space for you to prepare or eat meals and convenient access to necessary kitchen items.

To maximise its functionality, ask yourself, "What will you be doing in your kitchen, and what do you need to make that happen?"

The G & M team will help you understand your storage options and the endless possibilities our bespoke cabinetry services can provide. We can tailor your kitchen cabinetry design to your storage needs, but here are a few tips for designing the perfect kitchen island for your home.

Functional Kitchen Island Bench — Otter Court, Pelican Waters, Sunshine Coast

Customise Your Drawers

Too often, clients underestimate the value of utilising drawers because they don’t know or understand how simply altering the width and depth can increase their kitchen’s convenience and functionality.

Drawers are a perfect way to see everything inside and ensure no kitchen items are lost or missed at the back of a shelf or dark corner.

Featuring drawers with varying depths in your kitchen island to store things in order of need and size. E.g. Store your cutlery and cooking utensils in standard-sized drawers, then increase the depth of subsequent drawers to store dinnerware, serving bowls and trays or even pots and pans.

Go one step further with a less traditional design and incorporate vertical pull-out drawers to hold your spices, chopping boards or rubbish.

Open Shelves Add Style & Convenience

Open shelves provide the storage you need while adding style elements to your kitchen. You can use open shelves for practical storage or showcase your favourite kitchen or other decorative items.

The crystal dinnerware set you were gifted on your wedding day? Your treasured cookbooks passed down from your family? Your collectible coffee mugs?

You can proudly display these items in the most used room of your home.

If you love the look of open shelving but don’t want to give up cabinet space in your kitchen, open shelving on your kitchen island is the perfect solution.

Open shelves are also a great way to avoid clutter. They have the most visibility, which will encourage you to keep, at the very least, the shelves organised and presented well.

Incorporate Appliances

Featuring kitchen appliances within your kitchen island can free up bench space on your island and the rest of your kitchen countertops.

It also adds the convenience of accessing your appliances while preparing meals at your kitchen island. Consider incorporating your microwave, dishwasher or even a wine fridge.

Depending on how much counter space you desire, you can also feature your cooktop and over with your range hood centred above your kitchen island.

Don’t Forget About Seating

Storage is an important focus when designing your kitchen island, but your kitchen has many functions. It is a place to prepare meals, but it is also a space to entertain. Providing your guests with ample seating at your kitchen island is a must.

How often have your friends and family gathered in your kitchen while you’re cooking or preparing to serve meals?

Most people congregate where the food and drinks are, so why not make your guests comfortable? Your seating choices will depend on your style, the size of your space and the comfort level you wish to provide your family and houseguests.

Your kitchen island's stool placement options can include a portion of your kitchen island, surrounding your entire island or running along the length of one side.

Many of our Sunshine Coast and Brisbane client briefs stress their aversion to kitchen clutter. Our customised joinery and cabinetry services allow us to create storage solutions that will free up your kitchen workspace while adding style to your kitchen aesthetic.
Contact G & M today and discover how our team can design your perfect kitchen island bench.