Step-by-Step Instructions to Build a Kitchen Island

The Magic Triangle

The "magic triangle" has long been a principle in kitchen design. Ideally, the sink, stovetop and refrigerator should be located so they form a triangle in terms of traffic patterns while cooking. Conforming your kitchen design to this magic triangle will indeed save you steps during the preparation of a meal. If your current kitchen layout doesn't offer this triangular arrangement, a new kitchen island that features a sink or a stove top can often solve the problem. But don't apply this magic triangle formula too rigidly--some kitchens are just not conducive to this kind of layout. Obviously, space between against-the-wall components (like refrigerators, ovens and existing counters) and the new kitchen island will be just as important. Avoid traffic "aisles" that are narrower than 30 inches, because these will make your kitchen cramped and poorly suited for meal preparation by more than one cook.

Kitchen islands can offer more than just additional counter work space. They can also feature fixtures like sinks, stoves, dishwashers and "reach in" beverage coolers. When planning a kitchen island, be mindful about supplying any water and waste pipes to a sink, or natural gas lines to a gas stove, inside the island. These supply pipes will have to be brought up through the kitchen floor to service the new island. Electrical service and outlets may also required. Seek the advice of a professional plumber, gasfitter or electrician for ways to bring these services to any new kitchen island. Provide for adequate ventilation for any island stovetop or grill. Stove vents over an island are attractive, but some new stovetops feature a pop-up vent mechanism, too.

Once water, waste, gas or electrical services have been brought up through the floor, base cabinet installation around these fixtures can begin. It is very important that any island base cabinets are permanently installed into the kitchen floor so they cannot shift around the mechanical lines. Make sure any cabinet doors or drawers on the island can be fully opened without banging into other counters or appliances. Clearance space to walk around these drawers and doors, while they are opened, is also handy. Self-closing doors and drawers are especially nice.

After the base cabinets and any appliances have been installed in the kitchen island, a countertop surface can be installed. Scratch-resistant surfaces like granite are the most resistant to cuts, chips, stains and the retention of food-born bacteria in scratches and cuts. Wood, like "butcher block," is generally not a good choice, because it is most likely to be scratched and more difficult to keep sanitary. New man-made materials like Corian that feature "solid color" all the way through the countertop, are excellent because they are both more affordable than natural materials and easier to repair than veneered surfaces like Formica.

Finishing the base cabinets is usually the last step in installation of a kitchen island. Choose finishes like polyurethane stains and sealers or enamel paints that are resistant to water and are very "scrub-able." If you want to use white paint in your new kitchen, be sure to use the highest quality, non-yellowing product available.