Kitchen islands

[vintage1963]

More specifically the ones that are installed and DO NOT match the rest of the kitchen cabinetry. I love looking at real estate ads and home design. One thing is particular that really sets off alarm bells for me is the kitchen island. As an example, everything in the kitchen could be white or light colored but the island could be a myriad of colors such as brown, dark brown, black, whatever, and even a totally different design separate from the kitchen. I am immediately drawn to that particular difference when I see pictures of otherwise beautifully appointed and functional kitchens. On the grand scheme of things this is really not significant. However, if I were to be the one spending money on an investment such as a house, this would really be a sticking point for me.

Does anyone else feel like this or have any other ideas on the subject?

 

[vacerator]

Tastes vary

as much as designs do. Many islands are movable. Even furniture quality ones. They come in many styles and colors. Pine, maple, oak, cherry, etc. Butcher block tops, or stainless steel, or stone.
Some are design specific for the former home owner, but an island can be changed without demolishing the kitchen. Some are stock or semi custom to match the other cabinets, and I've seen them not even bolted to the floor. Often, a builder or renovator gives that option.
I've seen upper cabinets a different color than the lowers, or the island as well.
I've seen beautiful kitchens done with a granite or quartz island top, and laminate on the other counter tops, to save on the budget. The look is still high end. You can also have one with a lower work surface, and a higher snack bar.
Currently, ours is portable, on wheels. It isn't large, but serves the need. It has a granite top good for rolling pastry dough. The wheels lock.
In the future, we may want a slightly larger one that can seat two bar stools.
We almost did a custom island when we remodeled with a 24 inch refrigerator and freezer drawers. It would have closed the kitchen in a lot more. We thought about putting our large refrigerator in the basement, to free up space, but then changed our minds.
Its just the two of us now, so we are cooking a lot less, except for a holiday.
Decide what your wants and needs are, for now and going forward.

 

[askolover]

I'm going to build a small one with rollers on the bottom.  My formerly portable Maytag dishwasher that was converted to built in will be installed in one side.

 

[circlew]

My sister's new kitchen has beautiful custom oak cabinets, in a medium brown stain - with the exception of the island, which is maple with a black enamel finish. It actually looks very nice together, and with the countertop, which is a natural quartz stone, in a white & deep gold-rust color. The island is permanently attatched to the floor, as it is quite large.

I don't want a permanent island in my kitchen, as I don't like something blocking my way. However, I think I'd like a small table as shown in the link.

http://www.eaglegrp.com/ProductDisplay.asp?numDivId=1&numModelNumber=T3060SEB&numMajCatId=2&SubCatID=3801

 

[fan-of-fans]

My kitchen has a island big enough you'd think you could land a plane on it. I don't see the reason for it to be so big, and it's rather a pain having to wipe it off all the time along with the rest of the countertops, you'd think you could have 8 or 10 people in here working and not run out of space.

But anyway, personally I like all of the cabinets to match. I guess wood types can be mixed but to me the white cabinets mixed with stained cabinets looks a little odd, but I have seen it in ads and such.

My island does have the wiring coming up through the floor for outlets. We just never put them back in after we had the cabinets redone, I thought about getting an angled strip of outlets to hide under the countertop ledge instead of cutting into the cabinet panels for outlets.

If I had a smaller kitchen with no island, I'd like one of those cart style cabinets on wheels if there was enough room for one. Either that or I was thinking one of those stainless tables with a shelf underneath just like in the link above would be nice. It would be kind of like you'd see in a restaurant but smaller.

 

[vintage1963]

It all comes down to personal taste/wants/needs as far as design goes, which really applies to anything. In this instance, I would prefer that the island match the color of the cabinets and counter tops as well. I realize this is a personal preference and not everyone has the same taste which is cool. For me, it is a question of uniformity.

 

[mattl]

I'm currently struggling with what to do with my island and counter tops.  I really want an under-mount cast iron sink, have top mount cast iron now, but only certain stainless sinks and a few composite sinks are usable as under mount with laminate counter tops. Priced out inexpensive solid surface an it came in over $5K, sorry no.

 

I can easily re laminate what I have for under $300, and am seriously thinking of using a different material on the island, so I can under mount.  Just not sure if I want it to blend with the laminate or be totally different.  Even so retail the island would be close to $1k, I'll have to see what wholesale from one of the supply houses is as I do have a license.

 

[vacerator]

Matt L.,

you can laminate granite or quartz over top of your current laminate counters. They can make most any sink look undermounted, just not the entire thickness of the counter top. However, I am not certain of the cost. I think it also looks rental property like. I've seen it done so often in rentals with Corian, so it must be less costly.
You have a very nice home, in a great town. I think investing in quartz or granite would be a good investment. Our Silestone tops were $3,200 installed from H.D. back in 2012. We have about 20 feet in total length. They run specials all the time where you get at least 10% off, and a no charge edge upgrade. Our sink cut out is huge. Thats usually an extra also. Thickness is 1.25 inches. Unless you get a double eased or double bull nose edge, it looks very substantial. Say you are in your home another 15 years? Even 20. Choosing a conservative color will sell it better. Shop around. There are lots of solid surface fabricators. That Vic Bond sales place in Flint also knows of independent contractors who are good and warrant their work. They are mainly a bath and plumbing show room and supply, but I think they can order just about anything. We got all of our Kohler from them, and our Basco glass shower door and wall, all 30% off list.