5 Instances Where Installing a Hob on Your Kitchen Island Might Be Inappropriate - Plus Tips for Achieving a Successful Setup
A kitchen island equipped with a hob is swiftly gaining popularity, but it might not always be the best choice. Here's when you should avoid adding a hob to your kitchen island, according to kitchen designers.
1. Insufficient Ventilation
Dropping a hob on your kitchen island isn't a low-maintenance task. It requires careful planning and consideration, particularly regarding ventilation and electricity. As Jay Powell, a designer at Inglis Hall, explains, "Ventilation must be carefully considered whether through a downdraft extractor or overhead hood, both impacting project cost and the overall aesthetics and feel of a space."
In cases where a sleek, seamless look is your priority, an overhead hood can detract from the aesthetic appeal, making your design feel bulky. Downdraft extractors, while seamlessly blending with modern hobs, often need to be vented outside under the floor or function as a recirculation extractor, which is less effective overall.
2. Multi-purpose Isles
While a hob's accessibility brings advantages, it can also pose safety concerns, especially for young children and guests. Helen Parker, Creative Director of deVOL, says, "We are always keen to keep the design of our islands simple and try not to cram too much into this one all-encompassing piece of furniture." A lack of backsplash and the potential for oil and food splatter can make it less appealing for households with young children.
3. Small Kitchen Islands
If maximizing surface area is your primary goal in a smaller kitchen, this design might not be the most suitable. Brittny Button, an interior designer, explains that "In smaller kitchens, where maximizing surface area is your top priority, this design may not be the most suitable." A hob can quickly overtake the entire island, ultimately hindering your ability to keep the mess under control. In such cases, Brittny suggests having an additional cooking area away from the main kitchen traffic.
4. Prioritize a Sink
While a hob on an island can offer striking visual appeal, some designers argue that a sink is a better option. For Brittny, "If anything, to me, the inclusion of a mini sink in an island is the better option. My preference is to incorporate a reclaimed shell-shaped sink that sits on top of the island and oozes interest."
5. Alternative Spatial Locations
Felix Milns from HUX London summarizes, "Unless your kitchen design and available space dictate that you need to have either your hob or sink on the island, my advice would always be to leave the island clear as it's an ideal area for food preparation and is even more versatile without a hob on the island." Having a kitchen disco in mind? The hob-free island makes an excellent stage.
In short, although a hob on a kitchen island can present numerous advantages, it's essential to consider proper ventilation, safety, the multi-purpose usage of the island, available space, and potential alternatives for the optimal kitchen layout.
- Proper ventilation is crucial when considering a hob on a kitchen island, as both downdraft extractors and overhead hoods can impact the project cost, aesthetics, and overall feel of the space.
- When designing a kitchen island, it is essential to be mindful of safety concerns, especially for young children and guests, as a hob's accessibility can pose risks, particularly in the absence of a sufficient backsplash.
- In smaller kitchens, where maximizing surface area is the top priority, a hob-equipped island might not be the most suitable option as it can quickly overtake the entire island, hindering the ability to keep the mess under control.
- Some designers argue that a sink, particularly a reclaimed shell-shaped sink, is a better option for kitchen islands than a hob, as it provides a more visually interesting and functional workspace.
- Felix Milns from HUX London advises that unless there is a necessity to place either the hob or sink on the island, it is best to leave the island clear for its primary use: food preparation, and to explore alternative spatial locations for the hob if desired.
