Kitchen Planning: How an Island Can Make Your Kitchen a Sociable Space

Kitchen Planning: How an Island Can Make Your Kitchen a Sociable Space- Kitchen islands are mainstream inclusions in kitchen renovations now, but there are more ways than one to tackle this modern marvel. A line of stools facing the cook isn’t always the best way to go. In fact, this arrangement has several downsides. Whoever is working in the kitchen has to stand and get tired feet while family members or guests sit back and take it easy; and when onlookers are all in a line, it’s awkward for them to talk to anyone other than whoever is seated directly beside them, thus thwarting the sociable aspect you were seeking from adding the island in the first place. These practical and stylish island alternatives solve these issues brilliantly.

bulthaup by Kitchen Architecture

This set-up allows people to face each other and have a chat, and includes whoever is preparing food in the kitchen. It’s the perfect place to gather for wine and nibbles before moving to the dining table for the main event.

Dress your home for a glamorous get-together

Ferrious

A cantilevered island makes it even easier for people to get on and off their stools, particularly for the person working in the kitchen – they can easily get up and check the roast or stir the risotto in-between bouts of seated conversation.

Poliform Australia

There’s no reason facing stools have to be at one end of an island if it makes more sense for the opening to be in the middle. Add another stool on the other side of this streamlined concrete worktop, and just tuck it underneath out of the way when you need more room to move.

Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

This set-up is ideal for families with two children, couples wanting to connect at the end of the day, or for someone who loves getting together with a friend for meaningful connection over coffee.

Get real about how you’d rather spend your time – do you really need four or more stools along your island or does this kitchen feel more like you? Limiting the stools to two means the island can be more useful for storage, too. The shelves in this island are practical, but they also give the space a welcoming, lived-in vibe.

Podesta

Rethinking the shape of the island can solve the problem, too. This curved number makes it easier for everyone to see each other.

Mc Adam Kitchens

Kitchen islands don’t get much more sociable than this, and those extra-soft chairs guarantee guests will linger in comfort longer, your kids will hang out there with their friends, and the family can truly come together over breakfast or casual meals.

John Croft Design

This kitchen island is designed for togetherness at any time of day. Again, comfortable chairs and face-to-face contact is the secret to its success.

Retreat Design

If you have a small family and you’re more of a one-on-one socialiser than someone who thrives on having big gatherings, an island like this could be the way to go. It’s intimate, fun and practical, all at the same time.

Art of Kitchens Pty Ltd

If you do have a large family or find yourself entertaining more than a few people at a time, you can still get around having an impersonal line of stools along a kitchen island. This six-seater design skirts the problem by rethinking the shape of the island completely.

Jane Howell Interiors

An island that allows stools to wrap around the corner brings everyone face to face, and still means the island can provide some of the storage you need.

Discover more ways to add a kitchen island to your work space

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Do you have a kitchen island? How does it work in your home? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.

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