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17 February 2022

Kitchen Island or Breakfast Bar: Which Should I Choose?

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Dave Hut - Content Editor

Planning to renovate your kitchen? Or maybe you’re starting from scratch and installing a brand new one. Either way, you may be pondering the merits of a spacious kitchen island or a kitchen breakfast bar with storage.

These freestanding features are both growing in popularity and while they offer many of the same perks, they also each come with their own unique pros and cons.

With that in mind, here at furniture.co.uk, we’ve come up with some top tips and advice to help you answer that pressing question: should I get a kitchen island or a breakfast bar instead?

Why a kitchen island may be ideal for your home

If you have either a medium-sized or a larger kitchen, then an island could be just what you’re looking for. It will help you maximise your storage space and give you an attractive and practical workspace to prepare meals.

Kitchen islands come in an array of shapes and sizes, although a standard island is usually 36 inches in height. Whether they are built-in or freestanding, kitchen islands generally consist of a base made out of cabinets, with a worktop above it that may sit flush with the base or have a slight overhang.

Not sure if your kitchen is the right size or shape for an island? A room that is on the smaller side could still benefit from a small freestanding kitchen island. Alternatively, you may decide that a breakfast bar is the perfect choice for your space! Check out our in-depth guide on how to decide whether your kitchen is the right size for an island for further advice.

If you do decide to go with an island for your kitchen, be sure to check out our selection of sturdy yet sophisticated options. For example, this stunning white kitchen island with cupboards and drawers from our popular Florence range – sure to dazzle any guests you have over for brunch.

Unlike many standard islands, each of our kitchen islands comes with a large overhang so you have plenty of space to prepare meals. The solid top is made from naturally antibacterial acacia wood and below it you’ll find slatted shelves, a roomy two-door cupboard and even a built-in chopping board that slides out as needed.

Our Florence kitchen islands are also the perfect place to store various items of kitchenware and even some bottles of wine for your next dinner party. Order a couple of matching bar stools and you’re good to go! Other colours are available of course, or you can opt to make use of our custom paint service and have your island painted in a shade of your choosing.

The benefits of a kitchen breakfast bar

If you’ve decided that your kitchen is not quite the right size or shape for an island, how about a breakfast bar? Not quite sure how kitchen islands and breakfast bars differ? There are two main ways you can tell them apart.

Despite being smaller than most kitchen islands, freestanding breakfast bars usually have a larger overhang of between 8 and 15 inches, which provides more room for people to sit. For this reason, they may be taller to accommodate stools underneath them too.

If you would like a kitchen breakfast bar with storage, you’re in the right place. We have several options for you to choose from, in a variety of gorgeous colours. For example, this sleek and robust dove grey breakfast bar from our Florence range comes with two slatted shelves for displaying your kitchenware.

There’s also space for two bar stools on the other side. In addition, this small freestanding kitchen breakfast bar features a wooden tray and chopping board that slide out from under the worktop when you need them. White, navy and truffle finishes are available too, as are matching bar stools.

Pick out your perfect island or breakfast bar today

Come to a decision? Browse our full range of furniture online to find your ideal kitchen island or breakfast bar. And, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 01989 763343. Alternatively, you can drop us an email at [email protected], and one of our friendly team members will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

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Dave Hut
Content Editor

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