Island countertop dilemma

8 years ago

We would like to replace our island countertop with one that overhangs and add seating. Our kitchen is the blue color (blue clay from behr) and our current countertops are laminate. I assumed we would get a laminate slab but once we started looking we thought we could consider stone. The problem is, we are not planning on a remodel of the whole kitchen. In 5 years maybe but not now. Should we just stick with a matching laminate, or go with stone and if so would you recommend a lighter or darker? And if stone, what would you eventually do with the rest of the countertops? Lots of questions here but any advice is welcome! Thanks!

Featured Answer

jhmarie

8 years ago

Are you thinking of a total kitchen remodel in 5 years or a refresh with new counters? If a total remodel, then I would do nothing or the least expensive alternative because chances are it will not be part of the new plan. If a refresh, you could do a stone now on the island with the thought to do the same - or a coordinating look on the perimeter down the road. However, some stones are more consistent then others and even the same stone might not "match" down the road. A quartz is more likely to be a closer match, though even different batches of quartz can have a slightly different variation - though perhaps not noticeable from perimeter to island.

I had an inexpensive butcher block on my island for several years. I do have a wood kitchen. but it still worked. I am not sure if it would work in yours - but it was less than $150.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~71048330

I later replaced it with the same quartz on the perimeter:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~93784291

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Comments (14)

jflash G
Original Author
8 years ago
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jflash G
Original Author
8 years ago
I think the 5 year plan would be replace countertops and sink and add backsplash but hopefully that would
be it. If we did a stone island I think we would be more inclined to do the perimeter but if we did a matching laminate maybe it would be longer that we wait. I'm afraid a stone island is going to make the perimeter counters look worse, but I don't particularly love the laminate so I feel like I don't want to add more laminate...I like the inexpensive butch e block idea but we just have so much wood in the house already. Another thought I had was find a right-sized stone slab on Craigslist or something for the time being.
millworkman
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Remember if you add an overhang for seating you need to reinforce for said overhang, which includes steel being fabfricated and modifing the cabinets for this steel.
User
8 years ago
You are going to have to reengineer the island to support an overhang. What is your plan? Rebuild it entirely? Add matching table legs and table apron? Add some knee knocking corbels? How well are the cabinets fastened to the subfloor? Which side is your required electrical outlet located, and how is that impacted by your plans for an additional overhang?
Judy Mishkin
8 years ago
your pendant lighting wont be centered on the island top if you add to one side, will this bug you?
jck910
8 years ago
Also will there be the 42" walk way space between the island and what I assume is refrigerator wall?
jflash G
Original Author
8 years ago
I didn't think we would have to redo the island completely. If we needed support we would likely add bracketry. We have a guy that will help us with the supports, I'm more looking for ideas of what type and look of countertop to put in there that would not look completely out of place with the perimeter. Good call on the pendant lighting being uneven
but I think I would have to just live with that. Just thinking about it all makes me realize how expensive a complete overhaul would get haha.
jhmarie
8 years ago
I have a 36" by 52" piece of LG White Pearl with an ogee edge all around - similar to the piece on my island. I was thinking of craigslisting it. Your island looks like it might be longer than mine. Let me know if you live within driving distance of eastern Iowa:)
Chessie
8 years ago
jck910, 42" is nice, but it ain't neccessary. I know a lot of folks that have less than 42" between their fridge and the island. It works fine.
jflash G
Original Author
8 years ago
Jhmarie that slab sounds very pretty and we are not too far from there actually, but our island is 72" long so I don't think that would work!
I am randomly considering acacia wood from Home Depot... it's about $400 for the right size slab and if we just use it, at least we could keep it or replace it and not feel bad either way if we ever changed out the perimeter. I wouldn't do wood for the rest of the counter but I think an island would be easier to maintain.
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Jenn Gers Design
8 years ago
I like the idea of a wood countertop.
You could also paint the island a dark color that matches your current perimeter countertops, it would make a nice contrast with a wood countertop.
jhmarie
8 years ago
I found my butcher block island very easy to maintain.

Wall color is personal preference, but if you lighten up your wall color, it might help offset the added feeling of wood from the new butcher block.
simstress
8 years ago
Since you mentioned your kitchen is wood heavy, consider adding some rugs or comfort mats (runner size) to break up the expanse of wood.