Island or Peninsula?

Ideally you would have both an island and a peninsula.    It’s nice to have a workspace that isn’t  facing a wall.  Since a majority of food prep time is spent cleaning and chopping, it is also convenient to have a prep sink  at this location.  But nobody wants to spend all this prep time facing a wall.  Hence the island or peninsula.  

Islands allow a traffic flow in the kitchen.   You can walk around the island and stay out of the cook’s way. Two people can work at the island.  It is a great landing area for things going from one side of the kitchen to the other. 

Peninsula’s delineate the kitchen from the adjoining space, creating a visual break between rooms but still keeping an open feel.  They allow you interact with the people on the other side of the room with the added benefit of keeping them out of your workspace.

Whether you opt for an island or a peninsula, it is important to have enough room to maneuver around them.  The minimum space required is 36”  but that is truly a minimum requirement.  Dishwasher doors  and oven doors will open but 2 people in the kitchen will definitely be bumping butts.   42” to 45” is the most comfortable walkspace .  Anything over 48” creates too large of a “drip zone.”

Peninsula’s tend to create a large center space in the kitchen. This is where a prep sink comes in handy because each side has two distinct work zones.    Prepping and cooking on one side and cleanup on the other.  My next blog will go into detail about the zone approach to kitchen design. 

Seating areas on islands/peninsulas can be at the same level or raised up 6” higher which is bar height.   A higher top area also becomes a great leaning space as 42” is perfect elbow height.  I find that most people prefer to lean vs. sit.  Higher tops are also a good place to stage food.  If extra storage is needed you can opt for cabinetry in lieu of seating.  You can go 6” lower and have a countertop area 30” high (which is table height).  This height is ideal for rolling dough.  

I am fortunate to have both an island and peninsula.  Unfortunately my walkway is only 36” so it’s a squeeze.  If I had to give one up,  without hesitation it would be the peninsula.  But  I would miss it.  I want to have my cake and eat it too.   Even if it means constantly bumping butts with whoever’s in the kitchen with me.

Introduction

My name is Erin Martier and I own a kitchen design business.  I began my career in 1993. 

When I meet someone and tell them what I do they invariably ask me a kitchen based question or they want to upgrade or remodel or change something about their kitchen.  So I figure there must be a lot of kitchen questions out there.  I will gladly answer your questions and give advice.   Any answers/advice that I give based on plumbing or electric I would suggest that you ultimately consult with a certified tradesman.  I also design bathrooms and home offices. 

This blog can also be a forum for other kitchen designers to toss around ideas, suggest products or help each other with design issues.  The kitchen is the most frequented place in the house  and the first room that gets an uplift or a total remodel.  My guess is there are many people out there that don’t know who to ask about kitchen related issues and many times they end up asking an unknowledgeable contractor.  Kitchen designers typically don’t want to consult for free so you can’t walk into a showroom and just start asking questions.  And I don’t blame them.  Many work on commission only.

If I don’t get many inquiries then I will blog about my kitchen design experiences.  You may find them interesting and possibly helpful if you are in the midst of a kitchen remodel. 

So bring on the questions.  Need to know typical refrigerator sizes?  What size stools to get for a 36” high countertop, or 42” high countertop?   How much walkspace is desirable around an island?  Can you fit an island in your kitchen?  The difference between a free standing stove, a slide-in or a drop-in?  Is it cheaper to replace doors instead of new cabinets?  Can’t find replacement hinges?  

Sometimes you just can’t get the answers from the red apron people.