Not All Kitchens Are Created Equal

Merillat offers ways to make the most out of a kitchen Island

For prospective new homebuyers, the kitchen can make or break the sale. This was determined in Merillat's study, Model Behavior: How people, think, act and shop in a model home. The study, the first-of-its-kind, examined the key motivations and actions of homebuyers.

The study found that new home shoppers ranked the kitchen as extremely important. In fact, of the shoppers studied, only three percent indicated that they would return to the house for a second visit or consider purchasing the home if they didn't like the kitchen.

"The kitchen is the gathering place for special occasions, family functions and day-to-day activities, which is why it is so important to prospective buyers to ensure that the kitchen meets the needs of their family from a design and functionality prospective," said Karen Strauss, Masco Builder Cabinet Group president.

Kitchen Feature Shoppers Liked Most Certain features in the kitchen caught the eye of prospective homebuyers and drew them into the kitchen. Among those features, islands were the most cited 'wow' factor.

"The island is a great opportunity to add function, style and personality," said Strauss. "This specialty area attracted a great deal of attention and sparked conversations by shoppers."

The Functionality of the Kitchen Island Kitchen islands offer much more than visual appeal, they lend themselves to multiple functions such as storage, convenience, additional workspace and even comfort.

"One way to put the island to work, is by incorporating dual height surfaces," said Paul Radoy, manager of design services for Merillat. "Dual height countertops can provide separate work surfaces, such as a cutting prep area. They can also be used as a serving or buffet area." Radoy added, that dual heights allow for seating at an informal dining area, satisfying homeowners with children, or anyone who entertains. Seating areas can also be taken one step further by incorporating a table into the island, this allows for a more formal seating arrangement.

Adding organizational features is another way to make an island as functional as possible. Pull-out waste baskets, cutting board kits and spice drawer inserts are just a few features that can make an island prep area more efficient. The island workspace can become even more streamlined when essentials such as sinks, cook tops or dishwashers are incorporated into the design.

The Beauty of the Kitchen Island
In addition to the function, most homeowners love the look of an island; however, many overlook its true potential. By adding decorative elements, the island becomes the perfect vehicle for increasing the kitchen's overall style and personality.

"A high-end look can easily be accomplished by contrasting the island with the other cabinetry in the kitchen," said Radoy. "Simply using a different cabinetry style, wood specie or finish on the island adds visual interest." However, in some cases the homeowner may prefer the island to seamlessly match the other cabinetry. In this case, visual interest can still be accomplished by adding details like a built-in wine rack, open display shelves or glass front doors.

Merillat also offers decorative accents that work to enhance cabinetry style and design with details such as feet, legs, corbels, ornamental onlays and molding inserts. These decorative details can change the look of an ordinary island into heirloom furniture, turning an average kitchen into something exceptional.

Islands for any Kitchen
Whether the kitchen is big or small, homeowners of today expect their kitchens to accommodate their busy, multi-tasking lives. They want islands that can handle a variety of activities from cooking, to entertaining, to family time. However, when designing a kitchen island, the most important point to keep in mind is - how are the homeowners going to live in their kitchens and how do they intend to use their islands. Moreover, by incorporating Merillat design elements, a kitchen island can become a functional focal point.

Source thehousedesigners.com