| Kitchen island updating can be one of the easiest | | | | Once you have a list in hand and are ready to go |
| and most effective ways to bring your kitchen | | | | out and look for the kitchen island you want, take |
| into the 21st century. They're freestanding, so | | | | a deep breath. You'll have to keep your head |
| that they can give you extra space in your | | | | among a lot of selections, so be careful as you go |
| kitchen, and they can also add substance to it as | | | | through the process. |
| well. It depends on how you choose and place | | | | First, make sure you know what the dimensions |
| your kitchen island, though. Even if your kitchen | | | | of your kitchen island are going to be, so that it |
| island is particularly beautiful, it may look out of | | | | will physically fit into your kitchen; it's also going to |
| place if it doesn't necessarily "belong" in your | | | | have to fit aesthetically. It should sit at about the |
| kitchen. | | | | center of your kitchen even as it leaves at least |
| There are three ideas as what you can do for | | | | a couple of feet in open space around it so that |
| your island so that your kitchen becomes more | | | | people can move comfortably in and out. The |
| convenient, efficient, and a pleasing place to be. | | | | island itself should either complement or contrast |
| Choose the concept first | | | | your existing kitchen design, so that it doesn't |
| What is your kitchen island going to do? Don't just | | | | stick out and look completely out of place. |
| rush into a home improvement or furniture store | | | | Take your list of kitchen island ideas with you |
| with no plan in place. This can cause you to end | | | | when you shop, and make sure you know the |
| up with a kitchen island you don't want. | | | | dimensions, too. Take a photo of your kitchen as |
| In this first planning phase, give some serious | | | | it exists now so that the salespeople can help you |
| thought as to how, where, why and what you | | | | find the right kitchen island for the space and |
| want to do with the process. Things to consider | | | | decor you have to work with. |
| include electrical outlets, size of the island, shape | | | | Highlight your island |
| of the island, lighting, stove burners, cabinets, | | | | Once you have your brand-new kitchen island |
| dining space, sinks and shelves. Take some time | | | | installed, it's obviously very exciting. However, it |
| to mull your ideas over, and think of everything | | | | doesn't end with simple installation. Highlighting is |
| you might want to use the island for. If possible, | | | | important, too. |
| get a piece of paper (or plan on the computer) | | | | It's likely that your kitchen island is going to be |
| and write your plan out, including what you need | | | | one of the first things people see when they |
| at this time. Keep the features you want to have | | | | come into your kitchen. That means you'll have to |
| in place, as well as expenses you are probably | | | | make sure your kitchen centerpiece is made |
| going to incur that you might not think of at first. | | | | attractive and beautiful, and that you don't leave |
| There's another advantage to planning your | | | | it as is. |
| kitchen before you go into the store, and that's | | | | To highlight your kitchen island, you can adjust the |
| that you want to be armed against the sales | | | | light around it and/or you can add a colorful, |
| person you meet. Sales people by their very | | | | noticeable piece of furniture to it, too. Tabletop |
| nature will want you to get the best and most | | | | lamps and chandeliers are a great way to let your |
| expensive island they have, but if you have a | | | | island, or you can keep things simple with |
| specific list of ideas you want to accomplish, you | | | | decoration and add a simple planter. |
| be less likely to be swayed by a sales pitch and | | | | With these kitchen ideas in mind, you should be |
| will buy instead based upon your initial plan. | | | | able to give yourself a better, more attractive |
| Choose your island | | | | and modern kitchen in no time. |