If you don’t have a kitchen island, you may not know what advantages it can offer. It adds functionality and resale value. Learn about the benefits.
Even bigger kitchen islands are in style these days — with good reason. Having a kitchen island adds functionality and style to your home. They also add resale value. They’ve versatile, and they can give you these five benefits.
1. Added Amenities
You can use your kitchen island to increase your kitchen’s functionality. Add a prep sink or additional stove. Put a wine cooler under the island.
Another option is to make the island moveable with options from low-end carts to high-end devices complete with custom island amenities.
2. Additional Seating
A row of barstools at the island gives you extra seating close to the kitchen. Kids can perch on the barstools to do homework or have an after-school snack. Guests can hang out during parties and meals. Extra seating is always good.
3. Extra Storage
You can add cubbies, drawers and shelves to your kitchen island for instant storage. You can also put custom cabinetry underneath the island to store garbage or recycling canisters, cooking supplies or those large pots and pans that never fit elsewhere.
4. More Preparation Space
Modern countertops often have so many appliances that you don't have any prep room. An island gives you more counter space to chop, peel and prepare food without feeling cramped. When the meal is complete, you can convert the space to a serving buffet — a convenient option.
5. Resale Value
These days, buyers are looking for kitchens with islands. In 2015, homeowners who’ve added an island as part of an upscale renovation can expect to see a roughly 60 percent return on investment when they sell their homes, according to Remodeling Magazine.
Price Ranges
While pricing ultimately depends on the amenities and options you choose, custom-built kitchen islands range from $1,000 to more than $6,000. Portable kitchen islands range in price from $350 for low-end to up to $3,000 at the high-end.
Adding an island to your kitchen may be a smart move when remodeling or renovating. In fact, it's becoming uncommon to see a high-end kitchen without a handy, stylish island. Even if you don't want to invest in a custom island, you can create one using stock or semicustom kitchen cabinets or a less expensive, portable option.
