Just as kitchen islands are meant to include added countertop workspace, the issue of cabinet space is going to be a key element within its design. It’s a complex mixture that will need to utilize every square inch so the built-in cabinets all have a function with a generous amount of visual appeal. Here are some steps that you can take for making the most of your DIY kitchen island cabinet space.
Why a kitchen island needs cabinet space?
A kitchen island is quite literally a chest of drawers that are designed for your kitchen needs. All of the cabinet space must be designed for maximum ease since you want to place everything in an order that starts with the most commonly used items that you’re using all the time. With that in mind, there is a certain Zen that makes each kitchen island as unique as the next.
Depending on your cooking style, you might be more inclined to use electrical appliances that should be accessible and easy to pull out whenever you need them. Pots and pans are pretty obvious along with cooking utensils, so the cabinet layout for these needs to be front and center to your main working area. The decorative end of a kitchen island is where you provide the element of beauty that helps to showcase the rest of your kitchen.
This is why a good design right from the start is the most important step to work out where each cabinet is placed. This is where you need to make a simplified diagram that starts to layout where each cabinet is going. It’s easier to make a list of everything that you want and give each of thee a preference for how often they’re used. You also need to calculate how much space a DIY kitchen island is taking up so exact measurements can be added to that.
Basic cabinet rules
If you’re building a kitchen island, the important thing to remember is that most home improvement centers are already selling preassembled cabinet doors unless you plan on making them yourself. Use the height of your kitchen island to gauge where cabinet doors will go and what configuration best suits your liking. Use the measurements from your existing kitchen cabinets to follow a similar look that will match better to your kitchen decor.
Choosing cabinet hardware
All of the cabinet handles, knobs, pulls, and decorative elements should match your current kitchen, but not exclusively. Handles should be easy to grab with as little resistance as possible, especially if your hands are wet from preparing food. Slide-out hardware will help make access cabinet drawers smooth and silent to open, so stick with anything that includes ball-bearing slides.
If you are using decorative hinges, spring-loaded hinges work best to keep cabinet doors from popping open unexpectedly when you’re using them. Regular hinges are fine too, but you will still need door latch magnets. You may want to install child-proof cabinet latches if you have small children who like to get into lower cabinets very often.
Utensil storage
Keep these roll-out cabinet drawers closest to the top and along the working edges where you will likely reach them easier. This will be especially important when you need to grab items including mixing spoons, spatulas, and other handy items on either side of your main working area. Ultimately you need to place these cabinet drawers strategically so elements that are installed on top of the kitchen island can drop including sinks and cooktops.
Hidden storage
The overall size of your kitchen island is going to offer many perks when it comes to using unused or negative space. These otherwise useless spaces can be turned into nooks and storage areas for placing pull-out spice racks, wine storage, or fold-out prep stations. As long as space-saving items fit into these empty spaces, there is no limit to what can be hidden away in your kitchen island cabinets.
Decorative shelving
Not every cabinet can be intended to be used for kitchen storage and some empty cabinet spots can be turned into decor open shelving. A well-placed potted plant or an antique copper pot will look decorative and help to create a theme that mixes well with your kitchen design. These are also excellent areas to install decor lighting that helps to illuminate select display items more attractively.