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After the near purchase at Grand Designs posted HERE, I've been mentally debating with myself about my realistic kitchen island options.
Option 1: Standard island with or without sink
Option 2: Screened island with sink
The Floorplan:
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| The Kitchen will be located in a 7000 x 3000 mm space |
The Facts:
There is a 3400 mm 'splashback' (ADDENDUM: 4000 mm! Oops!) window where the 'Sink ?' and 'Cooktop' are marked on plan. The sink position is flexible. Currently we've got plumbing to the island area but David can have it relocated to be in line with the cook top on the back bench relatively easily. But then, do I move the dishwasher back too or leave it in the island? The cook top can be where marked on plan or centred if the sink stays in island. I do not want stools in front of the island.
There is a 3400 mm 'splashback' (ADDENDUM: 4000 mm! Oops!) window where the 'Sink ?' and 'Cooktop' are marked on plan. The sink position is flexible. Currently we've got plumbing to the island area but David can have it relocated to be in line with the cook top on the back bench relatively easily. But then, do I move the dishwasher back too or leave it in the island? The cook top can be where marked on plan or centred if the sink stays in island. I do not want stools in front of the island.
The only dinning area in our home will be directly in front of this island and I don't want guests seeing dirty dishes stacked here so the style of island will determine the sink location. I've been weighing in favour of the upstand for awhile now, eliminating the need for the plumbing relocation but the photos above, found recently on Ideas To Steal have me re-thinking.
The photos above are of a bar in Helsinki and for the first time, I think I've found pictures so similar to my vision but have illustrated what I don't want. Interesting. The photo's below illustrate the two possible choices for the island (though mine won't be as long as these)
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Have you got a sink in an island?
What are your thoughts about screened islands?
Can a sink and dishwasher be on opposite sides of a galley?
Any input, ideas and suggestions will be gratefully received!
Any input, ideas and suggestions will be gratefully received!
x KL
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Because you are having a window as a splashback I would have the sink along the wall where the cooktop is. It would mean your island would be free from any dirty dishes, and you would have a bigger non interrupted working surface (on the island).
ReplyDeleteWe have a sink on the island and love it. However, we don't have a gorgeous window splashback, we use the island to have meals, so sweeping the crumbs directly into the sink/rubbish bin is extremely hand, and our island is 4m long so we still have a large working surface.
B
These are good thoughts B. And I think having the island clutter free (including sink free) may be the option. I um'ed and ah'ed with the size of island. The walls where the fridge is planned didn't need to be there but I wanted to screen the kitchen from the formal lounge which is further to the left. And I wanted to keep the island 'seam free' so it needed to be < 3 m.
Deletex KL
This morning while we were having brekkie, I said to MrB that if I ever build another house, I will make sure that no benchtop surfaces are longer than 3m. I wish we didn't have a join in our island, but at the same time I love the extra 1m in length... (I'm trying to make myself feel better about the join here :P)
DeleteWe made the join mistake twice, in the kitchen and the ensuite. But for some reason, the ensuite one is hardly noticable (???) and it's on MrBs side so it doesn't bother me in the slightest :)
B
I am not a fan of upstands though, if that's what you mean by screened islands?
ReplyDeletePersonally, I wouldn't have the dishwasher and sink on opposite sides of a galley. But then again, I rinse everything before putting it in the dishwasher.
Yes, I started writing 'upstand' and then changed it to screened because I thought I might've made the term up! LOL! So yes, upstand is what I mean! He he.
Deletex KL
Have you got a sink in an island? Yes, but ours will be a middle island, with a breakfast bar as well - going in as we speak. I know people with a sink in the island bench and it works because they have deep undermounted sinks to hide the dishes in, and they are wide.
ReplyDeleteWhat are your thoughts about screened islands? They are ok - could you do half/half so that you can hide the sink and still have somewhere to sit and chat?
Can a sink and dishwasher be on opposite sides of a galley? I can't see why not. The question will the dripping water from the rinse in the sink to the dishwasher drive you mad?
Any input, ideas and suggestions will be gratefully received! I think you should do half high bench with sink behind and half low so you can sit at. Everyone always ends up at the breakfast bar - ALWAYS AND EVERYWHERE.
Kx (The Blog a House Built)
I've seen a few pics of the half / half idea KAR and it's probably the best answer but I'm a bit of a stickler for symetry. And I think now I've screened the fridge, the island size might be too small for that to look OK.
DeleteI agree with your comment "Everyone always ends up at the breakfast bar - ALWAYS AND EVERYWHERE". But....with a dinning table right THERE next to it are stools necessary? I thought it might look busy, bar stools and backs of chairs against each other. There is plenty of room though. The drippy rinsed dishes was suggested by B too. I think if I move the sink, the dishwasher will have to too, and I'm not sure if that can be done as the waste etc is plumber in already....x KL
We have the same problem with the table going right THERE. I am even considering a round table or no table at all, because I know everyone will end up at the breakfast bar. The other night when the cabinetry started to go in, my daughter took her computer, fashioned a stool out of some cabinetry, and sat at the empty, topless breakbast bar!
DeleteI also get the symetry thing too, I have it BAD. S
Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Good luck, I know you will come up with something amazing. Kx (The Blog a House Built)
Ha Ha...love your daughters creativity! We build these beautiful spaces for them but they still need (even the big ones) to be right with you; if not half on top! Maybe I should reconsider those stools....but not gas lift ones; I was driven nutty re-adjusting them to the same height every day in the last house! (Until I removed the gas lift handle and won in the end!)
Deletex KL
Yay! So glad the OPI arrived safely :)
ReplyDeleteB
It's an interesting question - and after 20 odd years as an interior designer, I have come to the conclusion that there is no right or wrong on this vexed question. It just depends on how you actually use your kitchen space. Which is a very personal thing.
ReplyDeleteAs a general rule, I try to guide my own clients away from a sink in the island bench, because it dictates how the space will be used (and can become a dumping ground).
If you have the dishwasher and sink located separately, which works really well, just make sure there is a bin directly nearby for scraping the plates.
Well, I'm glad to know that my indecision is 'up there' with experienced designers! Thank you so much for adding your input. I'm inclined to take the sink out of the island but am now concerned about moving the dishwasher. The current temporary 'kitchen' that I'm using is actually the laundry and the tiny cooktop, sink and dishwasher are in-line and I've gotten quite used to that. The bin was planned in the island....one change seems to upset the applecart hugely!
Deletex kl
I would only have a sink in the island if it were longer than 3 metres and it were located completely to one end of the island. I would always have my dishwasher under or near the sink as you often need to rinse dishes and this means carrying dripping dishes across the floor or walk space if its in another location. Rule of thumb is usually sink, fridge and stove should be a triangular configuration so more than one person can work freely within the space. If this is your only seating/ eating area, that is, directly in front of your bench then i would keep the sink away from the island so others can't see the mess and you can serve and plate up directly from the bench to the table without the sink, dirty pots and pans and mess in the way. I prefer not to have a screened bench because I do like the idea of using my bench as a casual bar and entertaining area. I hope I haven't confused you but I have had 4 kitchens now and I find that these tips have worked the best for me. Good luck.Its never easy making these decisions. Try and imagine how you like to use your kitchen especially when entertaining. This is often very enlightening. Giulia.x
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughtful comments Giulia. I haven't entertained for so long it's hard to imagine now!!!!Sad, but true! I've always had the same 'kitchen triangle' idea in the back of my mind but am finding more and more that 'task zones' makes more sense. I've noticed this in some recent reading too though some of it was advertorial propaganda! Ie: Brecky making stuff together, prep area, cooking zone, cleaning and as you mentioned plating / serving. Now I'm confusing myself! This IS a really hard decision; I feel for people who have to make quicker decisions! The point you make about the island bench length is so correct too....unfortunately I think the space may be smaller than I thought (I was having an Alice In Wonderland moment. LOL!) It appears the length is more likely 2500 mm - 2700 mm, not 3 m as I thought! Mwaah! x KL
DeleteOK, I am by no means a designer, expert or anything else like that. I would definitely have the dishwasher and sink on the same side - as most people here have said. I actually have sink, dishwasher and bin drawer in a row and it works great. With my splashback not being a window I am very happy with my sink on the island bench. If I had a window though, especially one that had a nice view, overlooked a deck or opened up I would put the sink there. I had a screened bench before and found it very annoying I couldn't sit at it. It was a main reason I didn't screen this time and I love that we can sit at the bench. Good luck with it all!
ReplyDeleteHi Kylie! You've been quiet lately! Thanks for adding your 'two-pence'!!! Thw window DID have a view....but trees have grown to obscure Copa Beach from view. Damn! Luckily, standing at the island, looking over the dining area is the main ocean view. I possibly should've mentioned this factor! It's interesting to hear that you found a screened / upstand kitchen annoying....I'm trying to get a feeling for the space and whether I'd experience that too. Eeeek...am leaning to a yes, probably. Mmmmm...off to ponder further
Deletex KL
Only annoying that I couldn't sit at it. I did like like the 'hide the mess' factor though!
DeleteDefinitely recommend sink next to dishwasher and bin drawer if possible. You stack dishes, pots etc in sink to rinse then in one move put them in the dishwasher. You don't want to have to carry them across the floor and take steps to put them in the dishwasher, with water getting on the floor, drips etc. I don't like the idea of a screened bench because to me it cuts up the room and makes it seems less open and flowing. If you are concerned about guests seeing dirty plates on the island, then have the sink on the back counter, especially if there is a window to look out. I think we spend a lot of time at the sink when preparing meals, and it's nice to be able to look at what's going on. I have always had my sinks in the island facing out, and never had a worry about mess for guests to see, and it's always worked well. Depends how often you entertain and on what scale though I guess, but hope that helps!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Mel. My sink is always a mess...no one puts anything in the dishwasher except me and over the course of a normal day it is never tidy! Need to send the family off to housework academy or something. (Maybe Taser for non-compliance)LOL!
DeleteIf being totally honest, a good night entertaining means lots of vino and by the end who cares? Our main view will be from the island so maybe I shouldn't worry and just enjoy the view!?
x KL
Hi KL, I don't have any advise for you, but those kitchen islands are to die for. I wish I had that much space in my pad. Lucky lady. Yels x
ReplyDeletehttp://fourunderoneroof.blogspot.com
Thanks for your comment Yels. It is a very generous space but sometimes small spaces work far more efficiently! Trying to get the balance between function and looks is much harder in a bigger kitchen I'm finding. x KL
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