Right here’s the way to rework your builder-grade kitchen island with a couple of easy upgrades

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If the kitchen is the center of the house, the kitchen island represents the spot round which everybody gathers – to seize breakfast, end homework, roll out cookie dough and entertain associates. Nonetheless, lots of the islands included in new development characteristic bland, cookie-cutter choices that may use a jolt of curiosity. We requested a designer to share simple, budget-friendly ideas for including extra storage, seating, prep house and elegance to customise your boring kitchen island into one with heat and character.

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Reimagine your island

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To save lots of on value and development, you’ll most likely need your island to maintain the identical footprint, says designer Lucie Pitt of Versa Model Design. That’s as a result of more often than not, your builder may have put in tile or hardwood flooring across the island however not beneath it. One answer? Including an extension to the prevailing island that turns into an additional hub the place individuals can sit down.

“Consider an inverted U that’s 18 inches deep, and it ought to be a bit increased than the island, since you’re including stools,” says Pitt. “It may be another materials like wooden, which seems very nice it doesn’t matter what color of the cupboards within the island are.”

Reconfigure the cupboard containers

Pitt likes integrating microwave ovens into the island, which frees up house elsewhere within the kitchen.

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“If you happen to’ve received electrical already arrange in your island, you possibly can take out one of many items and insert a drawer-style prime loading microwave. This clears up the counter house or permits for extra meals pantry house within the cabinetry,” she explains.

“Be certain it’s prime loading since you need to keep away from getting down and crouching whenever you’re placing in or taking out a casserole dish.”

Increase counter house

If you happen to’re not loopy in regards to the counter tops that got here along with your island, you possibly can substitute them with granite or engineered stone. Also referred to as quartz, engineered stone is manufactured from crushed stone mud and resin, dyed to appear like marble or granite. It’s a sturdy, low-maintenance possibility that by no means must be sealed, plus it received’t stain or scratch. You can also make the brand new island countertop larger, creating an overhang so you possibly can add seating. Carved legs underneath the overhang add texture and curiosity.

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“Go together with a very completely different complimentary counter than the one across the periphery of your kitchen, akin to a butcherblock wooden counter,” suggests Pitt.

Watch out to not injury the cupboards when eradicating the prevailing counter tops; they’re usually screwed and glued down, she provides.

Add storage

If you happen to’re altering your countertop or including an extension, you can even construct onto an current island by buying cupboard containers and attaching them.

Or, Pitt suggests having a cupboard maker are available to retrofit one of many island’s current cupboards that has a shelf inside to 2 deep rollout drawers for pots.

Roll on a recent coat of paint

 Don’t be afraid to make your kitchen island stand out from the encircling cupboards. Portray the bottom is a good way to refresh the room.

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“Rent knowledgeable painter with a twig gun to vary the color,” advises Pitt, noting that with white kitchens being normal in lots of new builds, there are many choices to create a enjoyable look with an accent color.

“Strive a robin’s egg powder blue, or do the island in a pleasant wooden essence, after which add the identical wooden with a shelf subsequent to the sink or some place else to repeat that theme.”

Exchange the island’s cupboard doorways

One other strategy to customise your kitchen island is refacing – protecting the construction and altering out the doorways and drawer faces.

“A number of corporations promote alternative doorways in normal sizes,” says Pitt. “You may add a wealthy walnut wooden or a barnwood-style rustic wooden to the island and paint the physique of the island in a darkish charcoal grey.”

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Swap out the {hardware}

Altering the handles and pulls in your kitchen island is an affordable strategy to make a big effect. Select from brushed brass, copper or oil-rubbed bronze so as to add some glamour. And don’t fear about your new {hardware} not matching the cupboard knobs; it’s enjoyable to combine finishes for an eclectic look.

“You may add an identical towel bar on the top of the island close to the sink and grasp some good oven mitts and fairly tea towels there,” says Pitt.

Costume issues up

In case your island seems like a plain, flat field, there are many methods so as to add texture and curiosity. Affix corbels to the underside of the counter overhang – you possibly can usually discover cheap ones at structure salvage retailers or on-line. Deal with the again a part of the island – the half dealing with out from the kitchen – to a makeover by including beadboard or trim, suggests Pitt.

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“No one has a closed-off kitchen anymore in new properties and condos, and the façade dealing with the lounge or eating room is usually fairly boring,” she says. “You are able to do some good molding designs, both geometric shapes, vertical slats or board and batten so it’s visually fascinating. Fluted wooden, which has grooves in it, is a pleasant, traditional pattern.”

Brighten issues up with lighting

More often than not, builders ship a kitchen with a few recessed lights within the ceiling. Create a glamourous focus by hanging giant pendants or lighting fixtures above your island.

“You will get lovely, inverted bowls – they are often white or black with a gold inside – or put up an enormous rattan gentle, or two pendants,” says Pitt. “That’ll change the entire kitchen, and supply activity lighting, too.”

Go for the large splurge

In case your island is basically tiny and sprucing it up received’t meet the wants of your loved ones, take into account changing the entire thing, says Pitt.

“You may dismantle an island and construct one other one. It’s going to value a couple of thousand {dollars}, however some individuals are able to put that cash. Take a look at something you do to your kitchen not as an expense, however an funding,” she says.

This story was created by Content material Works, Postmedia’s business content material division.