They’re great for storage and entertaining in an open plan kitchen – but how big should your island bench be? And can you squeeze one into your home? Read our checklist for deciding if you need one, designing the best shape and configuration, and having it installed.

Location, location, location

The kitchen is arguably the most important room in the house. In addition to the fact it’s where meals are prepared and food is stored, in most modern open-plan homes it is also the central point for socialising and entertaining. So, when you’re designing or re-modelling your kitchen, it’s important to think carefully about how much time you’ll spend in it and what you’ll use it for.

Island benches are brilliant for many things including storage, entertaining and as a workspace but also for ease of movement – being able to flit in and out of the kitchen without constantly bumping into people is a bonus, especially with a large family.

The most important factor when choosing to have an island bench is space – do you have enough?

Compact kitchens will mostly be in an L or U shape. If by cutting out one side to accommodate an island bench means losing valuable storage or work space, then it’s not a luxury to be afforded.

However, if you have oodles of existing room or you can reclaim some surrounding floor space, then you’re in business.

How big should it be?

Your island bench size really depends on how much space you have to play with and the types of appliances you want to integrate into it. Some benches are very rectangular in length while others are quite square.

Some people prefer to leave the island bench as a workspace area only from the kitchen side, with the sink, dishwasher and oven/stovetop fitted onto the wall-based areas of the kitchen. This leaves the island bench clear for food preparation, and a breakfast bar on the other side complete with an overhang of at least 30cm so family and friends can sit comfortably on stools with their knees under the bench.

Others prefer to have the sink, dishwasher and oven/stove built in to the island bench, which is simply personal preference. This requires plumbing and electrical work to be carried out for the bench area. It also requires installing a rangehood above the bench – which may not appeal if you’re after a more open-style kitchen.

Nooks and crannies

One of the best features of an island bench is the storage capacity. On the working side of the bench you have the option for open cabinets or drawers to house all manner of kitchenware and appliances. You could extend these all the way through to the other side or halve the space and open up the entertaining side of the bench for storage of items such as placemats, recipe books, special glassware or even knick knacks.

But don’t just think of the bench’s physical storage – look up as well. Overhead storage for pots, pans, utensils, recipe books and even a herb garden is easily hung from the ceiling to offer more flexibility and less stress on your existing kitchen cabinets. And they can look extremely stylish too.

An island bench can be a wonderful addition to your kitchen if you have the space, and allow you to configure the space to suit your style of cooking and entertaining. It’s worth engaging the services of a designer, cabinetmaker and a builder first to make sure your dream is possible and to fully understand the costs involved.