Kitchen Islands Center

Caring for Kitchen Islands

Over the years with the expansion of kitchens the kitchen island was introduced.  They were first used in many restaurants to aid in food preparation and now they are found in many home kitchens today.  They are popular with many home owners not only because of the versatility and function that they offer but many add style to the kitchen’s design.

Islands come in many different styles and finishes as well as the counter top that adorns them.  To help increase the life of a good quality kitchen island proper care is needed.

One more popular finish for topping an island is granite.  Granite is actually made from volcanic magma and is known for its strength and durability for use in kitchens.  It is also one of the more beautiful choices that can blend into any style of kitchen decor.  Because granite is made from stone it does require regular maintenance. 

These toppers need to be sealed many times over the course of time.  Stone soaps and mild dish washing detergents are two of the safest cleaners to use on granite.  A soft cloth is always better to use when wiping spills from the island counter.  Try not to use too much cleaner because it is known to leave ugly streaks on the granite.  Vinegar and lemon juices should also be avoided on the stone because they can actually etch the granites surface.

Chef Cleaning a Kitchen Island

Another popular style of counter used on many kitchen islands in homes today is made of stainless steel.  The steel gives the kitchen a sleek and modern style.  This type of finish is known to be great with heat and is one reason why restaurants have been using them for years.  Caring for the stainless steel is an almost endless job if one gets obsessed with fingerprints. 

The best solution to keep on hand to help in ridding the steel of greasy fingerprints quickly is a window cleaner or even a homemade cleaner of equal parts of vinegar and water.  Microfiber cloths not only are great on the fingerprints but also help to buff the steel to a great shine.  There are special cleaners sold just for the cleaning of stainless steel, but they are not really needed as they can cause even more work when cleaning.  It is also not recommended to cut food directly on the surface of the steel island.  It can leave permanent scratches on the surface.

Why choose a Kitchen Island?

When you look at magazines of new homes or homes on tour, you see a big open kitchen. For those who have a small kitchen, space becomes an issue. Top any kitchen off with oak cabinets, granite counters, and new appliances and you can make any kitchen inviting. One of the most practical, inviting pieces to any kitchen is a kitchen island, whether it is stationary or portable.

An island can serve multiple purposes. Even a portable one can house pots and pans or other kitchen essentials that don’t have a home in the cabinets you have available.

The portable island is also great to use for entertaining and parties in order to serve appetizers and main courses to your guests. But probably the best feature is that you can easily cart it into a different area of the house if you need it in a different spot for another purpose or need to conserve room in a small kitchen.

For those who have a stationary kitchen island, you have a lot of options. Whether you have a long or short island, being stationary makes it a permanent beautiful addition to your kitchen.

Custom kitchen island

Some people can store extra pots and pans inside the extra cabinets one finds in kitchen islands while others will hang them from the ceiling with a pot rack. You can also use these extra shelves to hide candy or other sweets, (delete comma) away from the general pantry.

If you have a big kitchen, chances are you have a separate dinner table. However, if you have a nice table or a glass table, you might not want children eating or completing arts and crafts on the family kitchen table. Seat them at the island instead.

Kids will love that they get to sit in bar stools and sit up higher than usual, and it can also be their special spot. The island is a great place to house after school snacks so you don’t have to go from room to room picking up crumbs after your children. With all its uses, how did you ever survive without an island?