Island Help

18 years ago

I'm a lurker in the process of a never-ending addition/remodel. The wealth of knowledge on this site has been invaluable.

Currently, we have framing for a kitchen island with raised seating. As it was first designed the raised seating hides about 1/2 of the sink from view of the family room area. KD suggested a little ledge/backsplash at the back of the island (same height as raised seating) to conceal the entire sink from view. I've never seen such a thing and from what I can envision, I don't think I would like the look. GC claims it would give privacy, provide a place for outlets.

Any opinions on keeping two levels and having 1/2 a sink (Franke SS Orca) visible? Would a little ledge/lip at the back of the island look bad?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Floor Plan

Island

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Comments (6)

chefkev
18 years ago
jai-lynn, welcome! I'm having trouble completely envisioning the set-up you're describing and the links are not coming up for me. Can anyone else access the links?
jai-lynn
Original Author
18 years ago
Let me try this again -

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remodelfla
18 years ago
My understanding is that you're doing raised bar height seating; a bi-level island. If that's the case; I'd consider the ledge to hide the rest of the sink.
bmorepanic
18 years ago
It isn't going to hide the sink (um, most people's eyes are taller than the raised area will be), but it will prevent a lot of water and dishes from going over the edge!

I don't know if I can explain this(not enuff coffee), but take some care about the sink and faucet too. The raised area is typically 6" tall including the "countertop". The countertop overhangs the wall about 3/4".

If you have a wide (front to back) undermounted sink, you might have a problem and it might be a problem you were going to have anyway. I'll try an example:

You might have a sink base cabinet with about 22" available when measured from front to back on the inside of the cabinet. If your sink is undermounted and measures more than about 19" measured in the same direction, you might have a condition where the sink will fit, but the faucet won't. Depending on faucet handles and stuff, having the overhang on the stub wall might cause an issue where the flat surface would have worked.
Buehl
18 years ago
If your goal is to hide your sink, then your KD is right about doing something to hide the other half of the sink. I have to agree with you though, I don't think I'd like the looks of the current setup either...

However, as Bmorepanic mentions, if you just extend the mini-wall, you will have issues w/the faucet...you'll have less space for a faucet than if the cabinets were against the wall. If you do decide to go with extending the raised area...and I would extend the whole overhang, if possible, not just have a mini-wall, then I would consider at least 27" deep cabinets (or space b/w the front & back). That would give 3 extra inches to work with. Just don't put stools there for seating if you don't want seating there...although you have enough for sitting in a pinch (54"). Or, put in 12" or 15" deep cabinets that are also 6" taller on that part of the island...great for cookbooks or other storage.

As to outlets...you won't want any right behind the sink...so I'm not sure what your GC is talking about...you have them on the ends and could have them on the raised bar to the left of the sink. (and then there are pop-up outlets...)

OK...now comes the big question...do you really want a bi-level counter? It reduces workspace and eliminates the big expanse of space for school, craft, and cooking projects that's so nice about islands & peninsulas.

A deep sink can hide a lot of dirty dishes so they won't be visible from the rest of the house.

If you've read all the pros & cons of bi-level & one-level counters and have decided on a bi-level counter based on your research because that's what you want, then great! But be sure it's what you want and not your KD or GC (remember, they don't have to live with it). An informed decision is rarely regretted...regardless of the decision.

How deep will the upper level be? If it's less than 15", that area won't be very useful except as a place to place a drink or maybe stage some smaller food items...18" would be better (remember, that includes the mini-wall + 3/4" overhang over the lower counter area). [Dinner plates today are often 12" deep and if your counter is also only 12" deep that means the plate will be on the edge all the time and in danger of being tipped into your lap...and no room for a glass "over" it.]

HTH!
jai-lynn
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks to everyone for all the helpful input. Bmorepanic - good point on the faucet (your explanation was clear). Buehl - I appreciate all your thoughtful comments. Your knowledge is impressive.

As far as the bi-level, DH was all for it as he is tall and would like everything as high as possible. KD seemed to prefer it as well. It wasn't an area that I researched/thought about. I do like the idea of a large workspace.

I don't know how deep the upper area is. Clearly, I need to find that out. I'm hoping to meet with KD today to go over these issues. Thanks again.