Tips for smart design of a kitchen island, with designer lighting
Designing a Chic and Functional Kitchen Island: Practical Tips and Lighting Ideas
The cooking island has become the social heart of the kitchen. Not only is it a place where cooking is done, but also where you can sit, work and have drinks with friends and family. To really bring your cooking island to life, it is important to think carefully about the lighting, design and functionality. In this blog we give you valuable tips on designing a chic and functional cooking island, including inspiration for the perfect lighting.
1. Combine Style with Functionality: Built-in Extraction
One of the first choices you have to make when designing a kitchen island is how to deal with the extraction. Instead of a traditional extractor hood that can obstruct the view and the sense of space, more and more people are opting for an extraction that is built into the hob itself. This gives your kitchen a sleek, minimalist look and leaves the space above your kitchen island free for other decorative elements, such as lighting. No large hood that obstructs the view, but an uninterrupted and open view of your beautiful kitchen.
2. Choose Smart Lighting: Spotlights and Pendant Lamps
Good lighting above your kitchen island is essential for both ambiance and functionality. There are several options to consider, depending on the style and layout of your kitchen.
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Spotlights for a Clean Look: Spotlights are a popular choice over a kitchen island. They can be built into the ceiling or surface-mounted for a clean, modern look. They are easy to clean and provide bright, focused light while cooking. Spotlights are ideal for kitchens with low ceilings as they take up little space and create a clutter-free look.
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Pendant Lights for Character and Ambience: For those who want to add an atmospheric touch, pendant lights are a great choice. Pendant lights above a kitchen island not only add a design element, but also provide warm light while cooking or dining. Choose an industrial, retro or modern style depending on your interior. Do you have a large kitchen island? Consider installing two or more pendant lights for a playful and dynamic look. Make sure the lights are hung high enough (at least 175 cm from the ground) to maintain a good view while cooking.
3. Choose the Right Materials: Hygiene and Maintenance
Because a cooking island is used intensively, it is important to choose materials that are both beautiful and practical. Think of easy-to-clean surfaces. Cooking creates grease and dirt, and you do not want your lighting and worktop to get dirty quickly or be difficult to keep clean.
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Lamp materials: Choose lighting made of materials such as glass or metal that are easy to clean. This prevents your lamps from getting dirty quickly or being difficult to clean. Avoid fabric lampshades or crystal chandeliers above your kitchen island, as these attract stains and grease more quickly.
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Worktop Materials: For your kitchen island worktop, materials such as granite, quartz or composite are an excellent choice. They are heat-resistant, scratch-resistant and easy to keep clean, which is ideal for everyday use.
4. Match Color and Material to the Rest of Your Interior
Your kitchen island should fit seamlessly with the rest of your kitchen and living space. Make sure that the color scheme and material of the island are in harmony with the rest of your interior. This can be done by using neutral colors that radiate calm, such as white, gray or wood tones, but also by choosing a contrasting color that becomes a real eye-catcher. Let the style of your kitchen island come together with the dining and living room, especially in an open space, for a consistent whole.
5. Combine Mood Lighting with Functional Lighting
To make a kitchen island both atmospheric and practical, it is important to find a balance between functional light and mood lighting. With dimmable lights you can switch between bright work light and soft, cozy light. This gives you flexibility: bright light for cooking and softer light for when you are dining or having drinks with friends at the island.
6. The Secret Weapon: Storage Space
A functional kitchen island not only provides space for cooking and socializing, but also for storage. Think drawers for utensils, built-in shelves for cookbooks, or even hidden storage for larger appliances like blenders or mixers. This way, your kitchen island stays neat and tidy, even when you’re in the middle of the cooking process.
7. Decorate Subtly and Stylishly
Opt for minimal decoration on your kitchen island to keep it uncluttered and chic. A vase of fresh flowers, a beautiful fruit bowl or a few stylish accessories can add just the right atmosphere without making the island too busy. Always leave enough space free to cook and work comfortably.
Conclusion
A well-designed kitchen island is both a functional workspace and a stylish addition to your interior. By making clever use of built-in extraction, smart lighting, low-maintenance materials and sufficient storage space, you can create a kitchen island that perfectly suits your style and needs. Remember to keep both functionality and atmosphere in mind, so that your kitchen island becomes the perfect place to cook, work and enjoy with friends and family.