This is the most important decision in kitchen design, full of people making mistakes in it

A kitchen with an island has become a status symbol and an almost must-have item.

But if you insist on it at all costs you may regret it.

How do you decide which space it is suitable for and when it is best to give it up in favor of a regular dining area?

Walla!

Home and design

10/02/2022

Thursday, 10 February 2022, 08:25

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In recent years a kitchen island has become from a coveted fantasy to an almost standard.

Everyone wants an island in the kitchen, and many do put that aspiration into practice.

Its functionality, along with the fact that it is intended for storage and cooking, make it extremely relevant for the Israeli consumer.

The choice of this or that island, in design, and materials, is a function of place, number of family members, budget and characteristics of use, so when approaching planning it is important to arrive when all the details about your practical needs and how to run the kitchen as a family are clear and known.

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Here is an example of an island that can happily be embedded in the fantasies of each and every one of us - a huge island in a light purple color, design: Hillel Architecture (Photo: Oded Smadar)

"Most islands today solve two problems: the first, a storage problem and the second, a place to sit for family meals," says Guy Natan, VP of marketing for Ziv Kitchens, who is well aware of the Israeli family's fondness for kitchens with an island. In a R or H form, once I have an open space then the whole part of the island facing the kitchen can be used by us for storage, or sink and gas placement.

On the other hand, from the other side we have seats, we can give up the dining area, and increase the island of the kitchen to grow very large that will contain even 6 seats and then enjoy all the worlds. "

A huge island in the shape of Rish with a hidden wooden counter on rails that can be pulled out to create more seating, Ziv Kitchens (Photo: Israel Cohen)

However, in most Israeli apartments it is difficult to put a very large island in the kitchen without compromising the flow of traffic in the space.

To deal with this, smart solutions have been developed, such as a wooden counter that is hidden inside the island and can be pulled out with the help of hidden rails, and increase the number of seats on the island if necessary, or provide an additional work surface.

When not in use, the counter is hidden between the work surface and cabinets, and the space is left free with better flow.

Usually, however, when homeowners fantasize about an island, they envision a large island that the whole family gathers around on a daily basis and actually becomes the heart of the home.

"Most of the islands in the house will be used as seating for the family members, the island becomes the center of the house and the family members sit opposite each other (2 vs. 2, or 3 vs. 3)," says interior designer Keren Gens. "For some visibility, in many kitchens the kitchen configuration allows only an island with seating in a row. Visually, these islands look elegant and stylish, but functionally, the feeling of sitting in a row is less quality and creates a disconnect between the occupants," says Gans.

Want the island to be the family heart of the house?

Place opposite seats.

Kitchen with an island designed by Hillel Architecture (Photo: Maor Moyal)

Wow effect.

Islands with single-row seating look more elegant and stylish.

Kitchen designed by the Gens Foundation (Photo: Assaf Pinchuk)

Sometimes it's just impossible

An island is a dominant design element in the space, and sometimes reality just does not fit with this fantasy: "In small houses it is recommended to give up an island and prefer a seating area and if there is space then a small counter folds on the wall for quick meals," says interior designer Gens "A small space can only harm it and emphasize the density."

How will you check if the option of not at all is possible for you?

Gens has a rule of thumb: "If you do not have a distance of at least a meter between the island and the kitchen cabinets, you should give it up."

Interior designer Hadas Roth also warns against insisting on an island in an inappropriate location.

"Poor location of the island can interfere with the opening of electrical appliances or drawers, or lead to a restrictive situation where there are things that can not be opened at the same time in the kitchen. And uncomfortable sitting around the island - will make every meal a game of" Move! , Details Roth.

Do you have enough space?

Why not install two islands.

A kitchen designed by Shirley Dan (Photo: Shai Adam)

If you have a sink or stove on the island, it is recommended to avoid a wooden surface (Photo: Courtesy of Niga Chef FOR HOME)

Note that the distance allows you to open drawers and doors.

Kitchen designed by the Gens Foundation (Photo: Assaf Pinchuk)

When the size is not personal

"When we talk about a kitchen island that has no space limit one can definitely consider the option of installing two parallel islands that are suitable for large and spacious kitchen spaces."

Says Yael Moskowitz, Niga Chef's VP of Marketing - FOR HOME.

Both a seating area and a dining area.

Pink kitchen designed by: Mazi Michael, Ziv Kitchens (Photo: Dror Kalish and Linoy Landau)

Have you decided to go on an island in the kitchen?

Read this guide:

Interior designer Hadas Roth Mehlel Architecture has already designed dozens of kitchens with islands, so she knows closely the Israeli desire for islands, but more importantly knows how to detail it into critical guidelines for quality execution, which will be not only aesthetic but also functional and comfortable to work for years.

- the height of the island should be chosen according to the height of the cooks around it, the average height is 90-91 cm.

The surface of the island can be of a wide variety of materials, or a combination of them. , Conchetto etc. Note: When the island has a stove or sink, it is recommended to avoid a wood stove.Ideal

- the desired distance between the island and the other kitchen cabinets, the refrigerator and the sink is 110-120 cm says Roth.

"If there is no choice and the place does not allow, even one meter is fine. But if there are seats around the island on both sides, it is advisable to maintain a minimum distance of 120-130 cm.

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• an island

• exterior design

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