| Just about every kitchen island is custom (unless | | | | - Customize the non-door ends and sides of your |
| you're using a movable island that you can buy off | | | | island: panel with decorative materials like beadboard |
| the shelf), in the sense that it is unlike any other, and | | | | or tile, panels or doors to match your cabinets, even |
| is made to fit your space and needs. Custom kitchen | | | | wallpaper or fabric (varnished for protection). You |
| islands cover a range from the completely | | | | could also use a translucent material and light it from |
| custom-made and custom-finished island to match | | | | the inside. |
| your custom cabinets, to a much more economical | | | | Details |
| island made out of standard size cabinets and | | | | - 'Dock' a movable island or cart in or under a larger |
| countertops assembled in creative ways. | | | | fixed island for flexibility |
| How to Customize Your Island | | | | - Add legs to the ends, or to support an eating |
| You can use any arrangement of wall and/or base | | | | overhang. Check antique tables for proportions and |
| cabinets which fits your space, to form the base of | | | | sizes: some island legs I've seen in magazines are |
| your kitchen island. Then you can customize it in | | | | way oversized and clunky-looking to my eye. |
| many ways: | | | | - Use small gaps between your base cabinets for |
| Shape | | | | cookbook shelves, bottle storage, display niches, |
| - Change levels on part of the island, up to bar height | | | | cutting board or baking sheet storage, pull-out towel |
| or down to table height | | | | storage, narrow pullout racks for spices, etc. |
| - Make the island an unusual shape. Who says | | | | - Add appliance drawers: fridge, freezer, dishwasher, |
| everything has to be rectangular? Try angles and | | | | or warmer. |
| curves: mock up the shape with cardboard and tape | | | | - Include an interesting sink which would be |
| to see how it looks and how it works. | | | | impractical as your main sink: an odd shape like a |
| Materials | | | | trough or unusual material like copper |
| - Combine more than one counter-top material: | | | | - An unusual or specialized faucet makes a great |
| perhaps a butcher-block prep area with a marble slab | | | | island feature too |
| for pastry | | | | - Light your island with multiple decorative pendant |
| - Change cabinet finishes on the island: dark vs light | | | | lights: mini-chandeliers, art glass shades, industrial |
| cabinets, painted vs stained, antique-look vs modern | | | | lighting, whatever fits your style. Dimmable, of |
| - Use two-tone finishes on the island cabinets: light | | | | course! |
| and dark wood panels, distressed or antiqued paint | | | | Have fun with your island - it doesn't have to be |
| finishes | | | | matchy-matchy with the rest of the kitchen! |