Kitchen Island Ideas for Great Custom Kitchen Islands

Use kitchen island ideas to better understand how to create a more functional and comfortable kitchen. Using custom kitchen islands means having the most appropriate island for your home and kitchen area based on your kitchen space and your needs. Kitchen island ideas take us back to the farmhouse kitchen, even back to medieval times when a large worktable was used to do most of the preparation work.

Besides meal preparation, the kitchen can become a gathering area for family and friends if there is enough space. Since so much happens in the kitchen on a regular basis, getting the layout right is important. The kitchen island can serve as an additional eating area, and food preparation can easily be done there. In a large kitchen, the kitchen island can shorten the distances within the working triangle (sink, refrigerator and range or cooktop) and make it more efficient.

Stove Hoods

Here are kitchen island ideas to consider when planning your kitchen:

Kitchen Island Ideas for Great Custom Kitchen Islands

1. Kitchen islands work best in larger L, U or G-shape kitchens. If the kitchen is too small, the kitchen island will become an obstruction and hinder easy movement. The best custom kitchen islands for small to midsize kitchens are a portable butcher block or kitchen cart for food prep or extra storage.

2. Include a ventilation hood overhead to eliminate smoke, steam and cooking odors if your kitchen island is going to have a cooktop. The range hood should extend beyond the cooking area by 3 inches or more on the sides for proper ventilation. Using the correct fan size will ensure that removal happens as intended. Have a fan capacity of about 50 cubic feet per minute (cfm) for each square foot of cooktop area.

3. A second kitchen sink can be included on the kitchen island. Use a sink that is deep enough for washing large pots and pans, and consider equipping the kitchen island with a trash compactor, garbage disposal, recycle bin and even a dishwasher. Cleanup will be much easier when these appliances are close by the sink.

4. Allow adequate countertop space on both sides (left and right) of the kitchen island if a sink or cooktop will be used. Include at least 15 inches of countertop space on each side, and if your kitchen is large enough, allow even more space. You can never have too much countertop space in a kitchen. Also, rounded countertop corners help protect everyone from bad bruises -- this is true about all kitchen countertop corners.

5. Additional kitchen island ideas are to consider using shelf space on the sides of your kitchen island for cookbooks, collectibles or storage. A built-in TV works here, especially if it faces the family room. Or a microwave may work well for heating up after-school snacks and cooking foods quickly.

6. Countertop material for the island doesn't have to match the rest of your kitchen countertops as long as it is harmonious with the room's overall design. You may want to splurge on solid surfacing here, for example, and use laminate on the other countertops. A butcher-block countertop is ideal for chopping, while granite or marble works well for baking purposes and for rolling pastry dough.

7. Maximize natural light by having windows and skylights, and keep kitchen wall surfaces light in color to reflect daylight. Custom kitchen islands work great by using pendant or recessed fixtures to direct light onto the kitchen island and other work areas. Electrical codes will likely require that electrical outlets be located on the sides of fixed kitchen islands, not on the top, to prevent electrical shock.

Use custom kitchen islands ideas to help you know how to create an attractive area that will perform a variety of useful functions. Designed correctly, kitchen islands will make your work area more functional and efficient and will be enjoyed by everyone for many years. Read as many kitchen island ideas as you can on using an island to improve the functionality and comfort in your kitchen -- after all, your kitchen is most likely the most popular room in the house.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Kitchen Island Ideas for Great Custom Kitchen Islands

Learn more about kitchen design online and creating the very best kitchen for your home. David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.com - visit the website and find informative articles for a variety of home improvement topics on kitchen design, bathrooms, fireplaces, home storage and more.

How to Create a Cottage Kitchen Design

The cottage style of kitchen design in characterized as a colorful, comfortable feel that is created by painted or decorated furniture, baskets, beadboard walls and natural fiber rugs, and weathered surface finishes, as well as colors one would expect to find in a garden.

Cottage-style kitchen can have many accessories, but it is necessary to avoid going overboard to keep the clutter from becoming distracting. The cottage-style of kitchen design is also known for floors that are bare with the exception of an occasional throw rug.

Stove Hoods

The cottage style of kitchen design conjures up images of a room light and airy, charming and casual. The breezy, uncomplicated feel one finds in a summer cottage. Cottages evoke seaside vacations, a countryside locale, or a cabin in the mountains. The mood is always relaxed, unassuming, and casual. Simplification is the prominent feature of the cottage style of kitchen design.

How to Create a Cottage Kitchen Design

Broan RM523004 Range Master Range Hood, Stainless Steel, 30-Inch Specification

• 270 CFM 120 Volts 3.1 Amps
• Multi-speed slide control with Heat Sentry that detects excessive heat and adjusts blower speed to high automatically
• Stainless Steel
• Ducted/non-ducted telescopic flue accommodates ceiling heights from 8 to 9 feet. Extension flues for higher ceilings are also available
• Install hood so that the bottom of the unit is 24 to 30-Inch above the cooking surface and mounting height is determined by ceiling height

Brand : Nutone

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Broan RM523004 Range Master Range Hood, Stainless Steel, 30-Inch

Broan RM523004 Rangemaster RM52000 Series Chimney Range Hood Multispeed Slide Control Two 20-Watt Halogen Lamps Provided Dishwasher-Safe Aluminum Filters Feature a Quick-Release Latch and Professional-Style Appearance Ducted/Non-Ducted Telescopic Flue Accommodates Ceiling Heights From 8 to 9 Feet. Extension Flues for Higher Ceilings are Also Available for Ducted and Non-Ducted Applications Requires Separate Purchase of a Non-Ducted Kit (RRK51) for Indoor Exhaust Recirculation Install Hood So that the Bottom of the Unit is 24 to 30 Inches Above Cooking Surface Heat Sentry Adjusts Speed of Blower to High in Case of Excess Heat 120 Volts. 3.1 Amps. 370 CFM. 6" Rd Duct

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Due to the fact that cottage style kitchens are small they usually have a floor plan that is fresh and open, that can function easily, as well as be a place to entertain.

To be able to create the cottage feel for you kitchen you need to look at accessories such as house wares, linens, and furnishings you will choose for your kitchen. Some examples are the use of white distressed, stained and butcher-block surfaces around the kitchen, striped vintage towels and dishcloths, an old antique kitchen clock, or displaying plates on open shelves above a window or doorway. Other accessories might include stoneware pots, glazed earthenware and glass jars. Also you could place a pitcher of fresh-cut flowers to create more cottage charm.

It takes time to create a cottage style for your kitchen. You can not simply find the cottage style all at one time and in one store. The kitchen must look as if it slowly took on this look over a period of time to achieve a more collected look.

Furnishings in a cottage style kitchen can include furniture made from pine, or maple. Furniture detailing is an important element of the cottage style. Furniture can be white painted, or lacquered, can include also such features as curved legs on base cabinetry, and old fashioned moldings around cabinets and tables. Or a large work table that can also be a dining space for the family. Pieces can include a farmhouse style kitchen table with beech spindle style chairs.

A cottage style kitchen range can be used, with a decorative wooden range hood, as well as a large single bowl ceramic sink, or a apron front farm sink.

Knobs figure prominently as the dominant hardware of choice for cottage-style kitchen design. Design elements include porcelain and embossed stoneware, semi-glossy periwinkle blues, creams and whites work well. Also check for woven designs using wire or bamboo.
Paint can be used to create a cottage-style kitchen design. The wood flooring can be painted a bold color. Walls can be painted with warm yellows or blues that can be coordinated with the tones and colors of the kitchen cabinets, wall tile, window treatments and other accents in the kitchen.

How to Create a Cottage Kitchen Design

James Mahoney is the author of many kitchen design articles and has a site about kitchen design ideas at Kitchen Designers Ideas.com. He also publishes a newsletter on kitchen design

Choosing a Range Hood For Your Kitchen

With the amount of new technologies and jargon out at the moment, it can be quite confusing when it comes to choosing a new kitchen range hood. Follow these simple tips to make sure you don't buy the wrong appliance for your kitchen.

Many people make the mistake of searching for a kitchen range hood online that looks nice, and not thinking about the features and whether these hoods are suitable for their kitchen. Of course aesthetics is very important as everyone want to have a kitchen that they can enjoy cooking and be proud of when friends visit. It is also important to make sure that the new kitchen hood will function within your kitchen and even fit in the kitchen.

Stove Hoods

Kitchen hoods have different ways of dealing with cooking steam and fumes from the stove. You will find a range hood that simple extracts the air from the stove and then vents this air outside the home. You then find kitchen hoods that extract the cooking steam from the stove and clean it through a series of filters before this steam is then re-circulated back into the kitchen.

Choosing a Range Hood For Your Kitchen

Broan 403001 Economy 30-Inch Under Cabinet Mount Range Hood, White Specification

• 160 CFM, 6.5 Sone (vertical or horizontal discharge) performance HVI 2100 Certified
• 75-watt cooktop lighting (bulb not included)
• Washable, aluminum mesh grease filter
• Rocker-type fan and light control; 2-Speed fan
• 30-inch Width by 17.5-inch Depth by 6-inch Height

Brand : Broan-NuTone

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Broan 403001 Economy 30-Inch Under Cabinet Mount Range Hood, White

30", White, Ducted Range Hood, 2 Speed, 17.5" L x 6" H, Installs As 3-1/4" x 10" Vented Only, 160 CFM, 6.5 Sone, Vertical Or Horizontal Discharge, Performance, HVI 2100 Certified, Dishwasher Safe Aluminum Grease Filter, Accepts Up To 75W Light Bulb, Not Included, Duct Connector With Built In Damper Included.

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The hoods that vent the air outside of the home are called vented hoods. They require a duct system that attaches to the range hood and is connected to an external wall within the home. These hoods are very easy to maintain as they don't have any filtration system that you need to clean or replace. They do have a grid type panel underneath that will need to be cleaned to remove any grease that clogs the small holes.

The other type of range hood where the air is cleaned through a series of filters is called a ventless range hood or a recirculation range hood. This type of kitchen hood does have filters that either need to be washed or replaced. These filters clean out the particles within the cooking steam and the smells so they need to stay clean in order to work efficiently.

Choosing a Range Hood For Your Kitchen

I write articles and reviews for a number of subjects including home and family. Find my most recent product review on using a garage door keypad and genie wireless keypad for your home.

Range Hoods Fit For Your Kitchen

Over the years, having a gas range and oven has been the staple set-up in everybody's kitchens. However, the option of keeping a safe and ecological environment has also been on the rise. With kitchen range hoods, safety is never a problem. Today, the range hood has evolved into a wider range of products, with many types and choices to suit your own kitchen.

Types of Range Hoods

Stove Hoods

- Wall Mounted Hoods - The most preferred among all the types of hoods, wall-mounted hoods, as suggested by their name, can maximize kitchen space. They make the oven the focal point of the room. These are fit both or either for traditional and/or more contemporary kitchens.

Range Hoods Fit For Your Kitchen

- Island Range Hoods - This type of hoods are particularly designed for kitchens with island cook tops. These are more common in modern-style kitchens. Suspended from the ceiling, you can make your selection from a variety of island hoods such as stainless steel, tempered glass, powder coat finish, copper, and brass.

- Under cabinet Hoods - Do you have a small kitchen? Then under-cabinet hoods are your range covers of choice. They require minimal installation space. These babies are able contain smoke coming from stovetops easily. For the score on appearance, they may not look as fancy as the other hood types, but they could surely get the job done.

- Curved Canopy - In contrast to the other types of hoods, the curved feature of this range hood boasts of its highly stylish front. It goes beyond functionality and serves its second purpose as a kitchen decor. This range hood is best for kitchens with big spaces.

Making Your Choice

In selecting the range hood to install, practicality always comes as the first consideration. Check if you have appropriate space for the installation. It follows that if you do have the area to spare and a bigger budget, going for the more stylish range hoods is next best option.

Cost

Hoods come in different prices. An estimate cost would range from 0 to more than 00.

Ordering Online

Many websites are now offering sale of hood stocks online. More choices are available, and more importantly, there are cheaper and more affordable selections on the web. Never forget to buy only from trusted sites and sellers, though. Check for availability of warranty guarantees. Take your time in choosing the perfect hood for you, don't hurry, and pick the best out of the rest.

The kitchen is considered one of the focal parts of any home, where the family often comes together. It is where the meals are prepared, so the safety of this room deserves only the best for the whole family.

Range Hoods Fit For Your Kitchen

If you wish to read more about Island Range Hoods visit N Holdings Home and Garden Wisdom website.