Design your kitchen island countertops and avoid these missteps

To design the perfect kitchen island, you need to trust your instincts, follow some common-sense guidelines and avoid common mistakes that can make your island less than perfect.

Here’s a look at five common mistakes you need to avoid when designing a kitchen island:

Disrupting the “Kitchen Triangle.” It’s called the “Kitchen Triangle,” and it just might be the most important space in your house. It’s the area between the refrigerator, sink and stove, and it’s where you spend most of your time when you’re in the kitchen–moving around, cooking, cleaning up and making sure that you have everything you need. Do not disrupt the Kitchen Triangle, even for that stylish island.

Dismissing storage space. If you ask 20 people what one thing they would change about their kitchens, nine would tell you they would like more storage space (and the other person probably lives in a palace). Even if you don’t realize it now, storage space is extremely valuable. Make the most of the space below your kitchen island countertop by having it equipped with cupboards and doors. You might not have things to put in there now, but someday you will.

Going small. A kitchen island is much, much more than simply a place to eat your morning bowl of cereal. It’s the centerpiece of the most important room in your house. It’s where meals will be eaten, important topics will be discussed and homework will be done. So make sure you strategically choose a design that will meet your needs–and then ensure that there is enough kitchen island countertop space, too.

Overlooking the lights. Nothing can cast a shadow on an otherwise perfect kitchen island like a lack of light–or switches that are inconveniently located. Make sure your overhead lighting is placed in areas that provide full coverage for your kitchen. And then make sure to build some light switches into your kitchen island. The convenience will make your life–and turning on your lights–a lot easier.

Choosing the wrong kitchen island countertop material. At the end of the day, your countertop will be the star of the kitchen–so choose wisely. Going with a stylish and durable natural stone such as granite is afford  and has a lot of advantages, including a durability and stain resistance on which to work.

For help designing the perfect kitchen island–and avoiding common mistakes–contact the experts at Arch City Granite & Marble today. Both the O’Fallon and St. Louis locations have huge selections to choose from and answers to all your questions.