Why do homebuilders think everyone wants island kitchens?

[FelixDeCat]

If you are a fan, more power to you. But I think they detract from a good cooking area. They are in the way, take up valuable real estate, make the kitchen cramped and are simply vestigial.

If I had one in a house I would have it removed and put by the curb.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Why do home builders think everyone wants an 'open concept.' I think kitchens peaked in the '20's with home walk ins and double doors separating them from the rest of the house. I also want a dumbwaiter that goes to the master suite.

 

[IronWing]

If I had one in a house I would have it removed and put by the curb.

Technically, it should go on the center line.

 

[IronWing]

Why do home builders think everyone wants an 'open concept.'

Cheap to build.

 

[TridenT]

Because they're useful?

Kitchen islands are very nice... I hate not having one. It depends on the kitchen obviously...

 

[Patranus]

Cheap to build.

Are you sure about that?
You need a lot of engineered wood product to suspend the roof/2nd story over a open concept house.

As for the kitchen island, they usually facilitate a proper cooking triangle. This is impossible to achieve with a galley kitchen. It also drastically increased your counter surface area.

BAD

GOOD

You can see how a island makes it easier to have a proper work triangle.

 

[Ns1]

Srsly why wouldn't you want one

 

[zinfamous]

Why do home builders think everyone wants an 'open concept.' I think kitchens peaked in the '20's with home walk ins and double doors separating them from the rest of the house. I also want a dumbwaiter that goes to the master suite.

hells yeah. Though I do like the surface space that an island adds, if situated well. I'd really only like it in a massive, separate kitchen, though. needs a sink or two, one with disposal....

I'm actually more annoyed by the abundance of fricking granite counter tops. black. and stainless steel appliances. god, that's just way overdone.
everything.
must.
look.
the.
same.

bleh.

 

[FelixDeCat]

hells yeah. Though I do like the surface space that an island adds, if situated well. I'd really only like it in a massive, separate kitchen, though. needs a sink or two, one with disposal....

I'm actually more annoyed by the abundance of fricking granite counter tops. black. and stainless steel appliances. god, that's just way overdone.
everything.
must.
look.
the.
same.

bleh.

I blame Home and Garden TV for the hardwood floor having, granite top using, paneled Subzero freezer using pap. If you ever watch the shows (Property Virgins, House Hunters, etc) everyone has to pretend(?) like they all have the same tastes and if you disagree with them you deserve to be laughed at. :thumbsdown:

 

[Kanalua]

Depends. our last two apartments needed them (or something like them). Our last apartment had NO counter space (I'm not joking).

We needed one of those small kitchen islands to provide some counter space.

In our current apartment the landlord took out the wall separating the living room from the kitchen and put in a peninsula type thing (like a island, but connected to the wall on one side - peninsula). Really opens up the space, making the kitchen less claustrophobic and the living room seem more spacious, while adding lots of counter top and a built in kitchen table/bar.

(not me in the pics...this was when we were looking at the place during an open house)

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

What makes a good kitchen is what works for you. Kitchen designers invented the "proper work triangle" as a gimmick to market what they built. As a Chef, I don't need a 'licensed kitchen designer' to charge me big bucks to tell me what I already know.

 

[FelixDeCat]

This is basically what I have:

 

[shortylickens]

Even if I had a huge, wide open kitchen, I would still prefer one on wheels over one fixed to the floor. If nothing else it makes moving appliances in & out much easier.

Actually, there are so many things I dont like about most modern homes its pointless just to worry about the kitchen. With my lifestyle I wouldnt spend much time there anyway.

 

[Greenman]

Islands are popular, that's why home builders put them in. There is no other reason.

 

[FelixDeCat]

We needed one of those small kitchen islands to provide some counter space.

I guess one on wheels could work. Makes putting it by the curb a lot easier.