Central kitchen: what are the best tips for an ideal design?

Incorporating an island into a central kitchen is an excellent idea for optimising space, improving organisation and adding a modern and elegant touch to the food preparation area.

During the planning phase, it is particularly important to define the style of the furniture and the role that the island will play in the room. We’ll talk about this in today’s post, giving you all the advice you need to create the kitchen with a central island  of your dreams!

Modular or custom-made central island?

The kitchen is one of the most lived-in rooms in the house. This is not only due to its practical function, but also to its aesthetic impact. Consequently, one of the first choices to be made when designing a central kitchen concerns the type of structure: modular or custom-made?

Modular kitchens have the advantage of being very versatile. In fact, the fact that they are composed of standardised elements that can be combined with each other means that this type of furnishing option can be easily adapted to spaces of different sizes. In addition, complex solutions can be designed in a short time.

On the other hand, a custom-made kitchen is designed to meet the specific needs of the space and its inhabitants. Each component is designed to make the most of every available centimetre, with a wide range of customisation options in terms of shape, size and finishes.

Those who want a practical and pleasant central kitchen can choose between classic styles, with traditional lines and warm colours, or they can opt for a more contemporary look, characterised by essential volumes and clean surfaces. In both cases, it is advisable to start from the general style of the house, creating visual harmony between the various rooms. If space allows, adding an island or peninsula is always a useful addition to increase functionality and conviviality.

How to choose an island for a central kitchen?

Choosing an island requires attention, as it affects both the aesthetics and the user experience of the kitchen. To understand what kind of island to insert in a central kitchen, you must first evaluate the available space.

If you intend to design a kitchen of this type, you must always bear in mind that the island is not a static element, but one destined to become the fulcrum around which all the family’s activities revolve. It is therefore important to make sure that there is enough space to move freely and that the island does not obstruct the opening of wall units and drawers.

Once you’ve decided on the position, it’s a good idea to decide what function the island will have. What do we mean by this? Will the island be just a decorative element, will it be used as a work station or will it be a sort of multi-purpose space? Depending on your preferences, you can choose a spectacular island that becomes the protagonist of the room, or a practical solution with a sink, hob and integrated storage compartments.

Once you’ve chosen the main features, you can move on to selecting the materials. An island covered in marble or quartz is perfect for large rooms or open spaces, giving an elegant and luminous look. In modern style kitchens, on the other hand, you may prefer metal finishes or innovative, resistant surfaces with an essential design.

It should also be considered that the island can fulfil several functions: it can increase the work surface, it can offer support space, it can create a snack area or it can visually separate the kitchen from the living area. These are just a few examples among the many possibilities.

As an alternative to the classic table, the kitchen island can also become a convivial space, more informal and more comfortable for daily meals.

Central kitchen: a series of ideas to inspire your project

Central islands are among the most popular elements in modern kitchens because they are functional furnishing solutions with an excellent aesthetic appearance. Depending on how you decide to use them, they offer extra space for cooking, eating and storing objects. In short, they become the real heart of the room.

Among the central islands that can inspire your interior design project, we can certainly mention:

• Islands with storage space. Especially appreciated in small kitchens, they can replace the table and, by integrating drawers and shelves, they lighten the main structure of the kitchen, offering enough space to keep pots, dishes and various utensils in order and organised.

• Minimal islands. They are characterised by clean lines, essential surfaces and no superfluous elements. Such a solution is ideal in spaces furnished in a contemporary or Scandinavian style, but also in small environments.

• Extendable or transformable islands. Practical and functional, these islands have pull-out shelves or retractable tables, to be used when you want to have more work space available or when you have guests.

• Designer islands. Designer islands are all, or almost all, about aesthetics. They are furnishing elements that stand out and capture attention, thanks to the use of refined materials and original shapes.

What can we say to conclude our guide? Well, it’s clear that whatever solution you choose, inserting an island in a central kitchen is an intelligent and versatile choice, that always combines aesthetics and functionality.

Il Piccolo, second generation family-run carpentry shop, opens its showroom in Lugano. With over 50 years of experience, Il Piccolo brings with it a wealth of technical and design knowledge of the highest level, thanks to the many interiors designed and furnished all over the world. In addition, Il Piccolo represents the most prestigious brands of furniture worldwide. Il Piccolo designs, manufactures and sells the best of interior design made in Italy, following the customer from design to implementation, delivery and installation of the work, integrating the process with a precise and professional service. CONTACT US