A favorite improvement to older kitchens is the installation of an island bench: a modern, fashionable upgrade that can transform the atmosphere of the entire house.
Days of working in the kitchen with your back to everyone else will be over. An island bench makes a kitchen more than a space to prepare food. It becomes a social hub for family and friends.
This enhancement can transform a home that had previously lacked a natural center for informal gatherings.
And in today’s market, many buyers list an island bench as at least a “nice-to-have”. So it becomes a real asset when the time comes to sell.
Follow these tips to help realize your vision of creating a new family hub.
Allow space
Failing to leave sufficient room between the island and the bench against the opposite wall is probably the worst of all errors. You need enough room for two people to get by, at least 2ft, or the kitchen becomes a nightmare.
Keep it in proportion
Everyone loves lots of space on the countertop, but it needs to be in proportion with the rest of the kitchen. Don’t get overly ambitious and crowd out the kitchen with a huge island.
Let’s be seated
Another consideration is whether you will want to eat at the bench. You need at least 3ft around the island so the seats can be pulled back to allow for comfortable seating.
Knee room
To eat at your island bench, the countertop will need some overhang so your knees don’t hit the structure. Too often, insufficient space is given to this aspect of the design. Allow at least 30 inches for the overhang.
Social setting
If you love the idea that your island bench will be great for social gatherings, don’t install a cooktop or a sink and faucets in the middle. Your guests won’t want to talk to you through steaming pots and pans, or a sink being filled.
Power and light
One common regret is forgetting to install power outlets for gadgets. Another is not spending enough on good lighting. Remember, this is where you’ll be preparing food and eating, so it’s worth splashing out on some decent lights.
Height hassle
A good height for an island bench is around 36 inches from the floor, as this will suit the average family. If you’re a pro basketballer you might want it higher, but when the time comes to sell most of your buyers will object. And don’t forget to match your stools to the height of the island bench.