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Original poster

Kitchen island or table?

34 replies

ikeameatball · 06/02/2014 21:39

I have decided that we will be having a run of units the length of the kitchen on one side but I am undecided on either an island or a (long and narrow) dining table opposite the units. Would be a squeeze to fit both in. There will be French doors at the end.

Does anyone have an island and wish they'd had a table instead or vica versa? Our kitchen opens up into a dining room but I am unsure whether to keep the dining table in there or make that area a playroom.

I just can't decide and need some help please!

Thankyou

OP posts:
lessonsintightropes · 06/02/2014 21:50

Table every time - I just don't think that having the island as a seating area works - so unless you really want the playroom I'd split the space that way. We are currently looking to buy a place and having a kitchen we can eat in (or ability to create one, whilst retaining a separate living room space) is a real thing for us - we've considered islands and I just think that they are a bit of a fad which will go out of fashion in time (unless you are in an enormous space).

However this is just how we will live in our space and doesn't mean what we're looking for is right for you of course :) but if you're looking for opinions, table from me.

Pannacotta · 06/02/2014 22:11

Go for the table. (And a playroom off the kitchen sounds ideal.)
I asked this same question a year ago and decided on the table which I am very happy with.
Perhaps get a small butchers trolley on wheels if you need more prep space.

Original poster
ikeameatball · 07/02/2014 08:29

Thank you both, that's useful! My only thought on table in kitchen is when we have friends over for dinner it won't feel very "special"? But it's a rare occurrence anyway!!

OP posts:
lessonsintightropes · 07/02/2014 09:07

You can dress the kitchen nicely for special occasions, and I think it can be more welcoming than a formal dining room (you do have to hide washing up though!)

Original poster
ikeameatball · 07/02/2014 11:20

True lessons! Thankyou

OP posts:
LondonGirl83 · 07/02/2014 11:35

Depends. Do you need the island for more storage and worktop space. A table is nice in a kitchen and one possibility is to just have a small breakfast table (3ft round) that can seat 4 in the kitchen. You can then incorporate additional storage via an island (with or without seating) or just ordinary cabinets.

Kitchen islands aren't a fad by the way. They have been around decades.

OnePlanOnHouzz · 07/02/2014 11:52

small children and tall stools for a breakfast bar are not always a good combination - especially as floors are normally hard in a kitchen ( no carpet ) if you need the exta storage an Island offers - maybe have a low level bar at tabk height - and a dining table that double up as an art desk in the playroom for dinner parties - also perhaps, add loads of storage in the playroom so it can be tied occasionally !!!

OnePlanOnHouzz · 07/02/2014 11:53

sorry for typos ! on my phone ?? can't see !!! lol !!

ohhifruit · 07/02/2014 11:55

We have an island in the house we're currently renting (and moving out of soon). I hate the damn thing, it's neither use nor ornament. I wish they had just left the space open for us to plonk a kitchen table in the space.

frenchfancy · 07/02/2014 13:40

I'd definitely go for a table. A kitchen table is so much more than somewhere to eat. It is where my DCs do their homework, it is where we do any paperwork/bills, it is where I sit and chat with any unexpected visitors, it is where DD3 plays with her play dough and DD1 does her nails. It is something I would never compromise on in a house.

Original poster
ikeameatball · 07/02/2014 14:16

Thanks everyone for more thoughts, it's a tricky decision. I like the idea of an island that also incorporates a small table off one end. Then perhaps an additional extending table in the playroom/dining room.... The thing is that the playroom is quite small so if there is a table in it at all times it may just be annoying/in the way, if we are spending the majority of our time eating at the kitchen table (which I'm sure we will). Argh decisions decisions. Ideally I need an extendable kitchen table for when we have more than just us eating but I don't think there's enough space with an island too.

OP posts:
Original poster
ikeameatball · 07/02/2014 14:18

Oh and as the kitchen is quite long, I will have enough space in the length of units for everything (work top/sink/hob) so technically I won't need an island, I just like the look of them.

OP posts:
OnePlanOnHouzz · 07/02/2014 14:58

A table on pullies that floats down from the ceiling in the playroom might work ! It's a bit space age - but if you rested it on the smaller kitchen table - and clipped it together underneath with trunk clips it could work ! Would certainly be different !!!

TheLeftovermonster · 07/02/2014 19:23

An island won't work if space is limited. Table much better imo.

What is the style of the kitchen? Some styles work better than others for combining kitchen with more formal dining space.

MrsJamin · 08/02/2014 08:54

If you don't need the island for storage then definitely go for just a table. It can serve as an extra surface and is useful for so many things for so long.

Bonsoir · 08/02/2014 08:57

Dining tables look much better than islands, especially when they aren't matchy-matchy to the units. Islands are naff unstylish.

Nancy66 · 08/02/2014 11:36

I am not a fan of islands. I think they only work in really really huge kitchens - otherwise they just get in the way.

dontcallmemam · 08/02/2014 11:38

Are islands really naff?
I'm planning a big one in the middle of my new kitchen.
There is space at the end for a big table though.

Bonsoir · 08/02/2014 11:40

I think so! But that is only my taste / opinion!

In general, I like my homes to be decorated such that they reflect the life experiences and occupations of the owners, not look like advertising copy.

dontcallmemam · 08/02/2014 11:42

Fair enough Bonsoir but if you had a really big space what would you put in the middle? The units don't take up much space.

Bonsoir · 08/02/2014 11:44

A really big table! Say a nice vintage one with modern chairs and some really good overhead lighting?

Also I could do with more units!

dontcallmemam · 08/02/2014 11:46

I hear you. But I've identified a space for the big (7 foot) table at the end by the big window.

noddyholder · 08/02/2014 12:39

Table!

frenchfancy · 08/02/2014 15:53

I don't think islands are naff if you have a big room and can have both island and table. I think they are a bit naff when they replace a table.

I have both, I wouldn't be without either in my kitchen, but I have a big kitchen.

Bonsoir · 08/02/2014 19:34

I stayed in a beautiful house last summer that had a half wall across one side of the kitchen with a huge slab of very au naturel wood on top. It served some of the same purpose as an island (extra cupboards and somewhere to put bowls of fruit and vases of flowers) but was IMO much prettier.