8 Things You Should Never Put on Your Kitchen Island, According to Kitchen Designer Experts

The kitchen island has become the hub of every home, the multitasking spot where one cooks, dines, and socializes. Still, according to experts in kitchen design, some things should just not find their way onto your kitchen island. From cluttering your workspace to disrupting the flow of your kitchen, here are eight things you should avoid placing on your kitchen island to keep it both functional and stylish.

1. Small Appliances

Having your blender, toaster, and coffee maker at hand may be the most convenient setup, but it’s a mistake to store them on your kitchen island if you ask the kitchen designers. According to them, small appliances can overwhelm the island in an instant, turning what was previously a sleek, open workspace into a crowded countertop. That island is for meal preparation space, dining, and serving food; bulkier appliances get in the way of doing just that. For that reason, it is best to store them in a cabinet or on a pantry shelf when not in use. This will keep your island clean and clutter-free. This keeps your kitchen neat and put together.

2. Overly Tall Decor

For added personality to your island, you can add some decorative elements, but you don’t want too-tall pieces, such as big flower arrangements, towering sculptures, or high candlesticks, to dominate the space and block sightlines that will make a kitchen feel smaller and disturb the line of vision between the kitchen and the adjoining living areas. Experts recommend sticking to a lower-profile décor that will enhance an island but not overwhelm it. A simple bowl of fresh fruit, a small plant, or a set of salt and pepper shakers can provide that perfect touch without taking up too much space or hindering conversation across the island.

3. Non-Essential Cookbooks

Cookbooks are part of every kitchen; however, they do not belong on your kitchen island. While it is tempting to have all your favorite recipes at the reach of your hand, cookbooks kept on an island will, in a trice, give way to clutter. A kitchen island is designed for functionality, and a cookbook will be a waste of space that could be occupied by preparing or serving food. Instead, consider placing a small shelf or an actual book nook somewhere else in the kitchen where your cookbooks can be out and available but not in the way. This will keep your island clear for more immediate tasks.

4. Too Much Seating

The kitchen island often doubles as a casual dining space, but cramming too many stools around it can create a cramped, uncomfortable environment. Design experts say that the number of seats to be placed should balance the available space on the island. As much as placing a lot of stools on the island could be tempting, it limits the workspace and the guests who are supposed to enjoy the place. Preferably, there should be enough space between each seat for easy movement and comfort during dining. Follow the number of chairs suggested for your island size to ensure comfort without sacrificing functionality.

5. Paper Clutter

From mail to newspapers and all other paper clutter, it somehow manages to overwhelm any abandoned surface, but your kitchen island is not one of these areas. It is not only messy to set a lot of paper on the island, but it is also a hazard, especially when put near cooking areas. This only creates paper clutter that distracts from the aesthetic appeal an island itself can provide, turning a sleek and stylish space into a disorganized mess. Leave a spot in the wall-mount organizer, or, if possible, a small desk in the adjacent room for incoming mail and paperwork. In this manner, the island is left free of clutter and can be used at any given time for meal preparation, dining, or entertainment.

6. Large Cooking Utensils

Spatulas, ladles, and whisks are all very simple utensils within the kitchen, but they need to be beside the stove rather than on the kitchen island. Setting these utensils on your island is just going to clutter it up and limit the production of your line of work. Professionals say you should utilize a utensil holder beside the stove or even a drawer organizer to keep them at hand yet not really take up any valuable island space. By keeping the island clear of big preparation pots and pans, you will have room to work on and maybe serve meals, which in turn will enable you to work effectively and enjoy your kitchen.

7. Pet Accessories

At face value, it might seem convenient to feed your pets on the kitchen island. This, however, is not advisable by kitchen designers. Doggy bowls, toys, and even pet food canisters may only add bacteria into this space and make the area unsanitary. This item also tends to clutter the island and make it look messy. Keep your kitchen clean and stylish by separating an area for your dog’s needs. It can be used solely for your pets: a nook in the kitchen, a mudroom, or an adjacent pantry. This will help you maintain order on your kitchen island.

8. Unfinished Projects

Your kitchen island may seem like a very convenient place to study, do homework, crafts, and other projects. It is pretty natural to leave unfinished projects on the island, which can then quite easily take over. These things make the island cluttered and hard to use for their purposes, such as meal preparation or dining. To avoid this, use a different area of your home for your workspace for projects. You need a space home office, a craft room, or that special nook carved out in the living room to work on your projects and not encroach on your kitchen island.

One of the hearts of your home, the kitchen island is where functionally strong areas of cooking and dining take place, along with just socializing in general. But making sure that it stays functional and stylish comes down to what you put on it. Herein, by avoiding these eight common pitfalls, you can ensure that your kitchen island will be practical, organized, and visually beautiful within your home.