If you were stranded on a kitchen island, what's the one thing you would bring -- a wine fridge? A raised eating bar?
It's a tough question. Fully-stocked kitchen islands are a fixture in many new homes, so we asked the experts: How can I plan my kitchen island to meet my needs?
"Homeowners have to analyze what their usage is in the kitchen," according to Landmark Homes' Aaron Brown.
"Is it family use, is it for entertainment, what is the proximity to the dining room or to the nook?"
Brown says when homebuyers consider the various uses kitchen islands can serve, paring it down to the most pertinent features can be a rewarding task.
"The island is probably one of the most versatile items in the kitchen," Brown says.
"Most builders will allow you to modify the island's size, height, style -- it's freestanding, so it's one area in the kitchen that most builders will allow you to customize."
At Landmark, kitchen islands are no simple affair. Food preparation is only the beginning, and cupboards, storage, sinks and eating bars are just a few of the seemingly endless possibilities.
"We do islands that have storage capabilities from both sides. We'll make an island a little bit larger -- we can sometimes go up to three or four feet," Brown says.
"Homeowners have been adding microwaves in the island for easy access. We've also included wine coolers because it's an easy, natural location."
And that location is a necessity for many new homeowners, says Gina Roland, marketing director of Elite and Today's Homes.
"It's the kitchen's centerpiece," she says.
"Not only can you make the space functional for whatever -- stove, sink, eating bar, prep space -- but you can make it interactive. People tend to gather around."
Roland says in her home, the island serves as both a preparation area and a meeting space -- a trend she sees in many homes.
"It becomes more about family and spending time together."
As a result of demand, she adds, individual tastes have led to more creative islands.
"You can have a flushed eating bar, you can have a raised eating bar, you can have multi-level islands.
"Shapes are changing -- we've got L-shaped and T-shaped islands. It makes it easy to incorporate an island into any space."
Features such as shelving and glass take islands from functional to stately.
"The island now is being presented more like a furniture piece. It has legs like a table would have and typically the island is standalone from the cabinetry, so you see it in a contrasting but complementary stain. There are a lot of options -- you can go on forever."
