Software
Houzz Logo Print
taylor58

Building a kitchen island

18 years ago

We are in the process of a kitchen remodel and would like advice on building an island. We already have 2 small base cabinets (9 and 12 inches) to go on each side of a 30 inch slide in range. I was told a box needs to be built and would appreciate any advice on construction. Once I have this advice, I will relay it to my husband and hopefully he will follow it....Yes, the remodel is starting to get to me!

Thank you.

Comments (10)

  • 18 years ago

    An island is just a bunch of cabinets in the middle of a room. Decide how big the island will be and divide it up into individual units. Just look at the two cabinets you have for construction details.
    What else would you need?
    Ron

  • 18 years ago

    You also might consider a rolling island. The downside is that if you want an island and it is required by code to have receptacles , then it would have to be fixed.

  • 18 years ago

    Since we will have a slide in range, how would the cabinets on both sides of it attach as well as the back panel? It seems the cabinets would need to be secured to something other than the counter top.

  • 18 years ago

    A kitchen island composed of only a 9" cabinet, a 30" range" and a 12" cabinet is a HUGE safety hazard, and in most locations, against code. Basic safety concerns dictate that any cooking device have 12" of cabinetry on one side and 15" on the other and at least 12" of space behind it in an island configuration. If you don't have at least that minimum, then rethink your design. Even the minimum required space isn't enough IMHO in actuality of real cooking. And then there's the ventilation to deal with which greatly complicates things and increases the price exponentially.

    This isn't something you want to go forward with if you ever have ANY additional people in your home in your kitchen. And, if you ever go to sell, you're likely to be forced to correct it as well. Go to the kitchen forum and post your layout and ask for some help.

  • 18 years ago

    Never heard of any cooking device in an island for the reasons stated above. I have seen warming drawers.

  • 18 years ago

    STOP! This doesn't sound like a good idea.

    It's too small.

    How will you vent the cooktop?

    Do you have 40" between the existing counters and this island?

    Can you open the oven door into this 'aisle'? Is it directly opposite another drawer or appliance that opens?

    Get thee to the Kitchen forum before you proceed! LOL

  • 18 years ago

    Okay, a little more info on my part, the range is a downdraft Jenn Air, we have 40" between all counters and the range isn't opposite another drawer or appliance. The counter top will extend 10" behind the island. Whew! We did find an article addressing our island issue by "Ask the Builder" but I will seek out the Kitchen forum as well.

  • 18 years ago

    You might run this by your building dept and get what is code in your areas,clearance requirements , etc rather than solely relying on any forum.

  • 18 years ago

    Whew! That sounds better. I take it you don't plan any breakfast bar near the cooktop; ten inches is too little to be safe -- and there would be no knee room.

  • 18 years ago

    I have/had islands in most of my kitchens. My present kitchen has an island, new, with a 30" induction cooktop and 21" cabinets on each side. It replaced a 36" cooktop with 24" cabinets on each side, which was too large for the space (only a few fridges would fit so that there was room for the door to open without hitting the side of the island). On the first island, the overhang on the counter was 12". That was minimum. Our present island has a 15" overhang. Much better.

    We had a downdraft vent on the first island and a gas cooktop. I rarely used the downdraft and it took up so much room that I don't have one now and, so far, no problem. The kitchen is large and has 9' ceiling. I much prefer the smaller island with deeper eating counter. I think 9" and 12" on each side of a range would be way too small.