Island benches and keeping things tidy

The Dynamic Duo · Feb 27, 2008 9:06 pm

If you have got an island bench, where do you keep all the stuff like hand wash and washing up liquid and the mug that never made it to the dishwasher in time so that it doesn't look really untidy.

(this question from Fiona!!)

Thanks

Michelle · Feb 27, 2008 9:20 pm

Well…..how many kitchens do you go into and never see a thing on the bench or sink?

That’s the down fall of island benches…..you can always add a small hob but to be me it defeats the purpose of the open plan. You can always put the liquid soap in a cupboard.

A home is meant to be lived in and should not always look like a display home. It will loose character.

I love island benches if on occasion there is a small amount of clutter to be seen…..who cares? As long as you love your kitchen!

Helyn · Feb 27, 2008 9:24 pm

Can't help you, I've always thought this is a problem with flat kitchen benches, island or otherwise, and open plan living areas.
Look great in the display home but in real life even slight untidiness looks instantly messy.
I still favour having a raised breakfast bar, mainly for this reason, also to keep eating / serving surface separate from preparation surface.
However I notice raised benches have gone out of favour somewhat.
I keep dishwashing liquid in cupboard under the sink and don't use handwash in the kitchen.

Michelle · Feb 27, 2008 9:32 pm

The perfect island bench is one just that…. a bench….no sink in it.

But realistically, this can not always happen due to space in a kitchen.

This is where people need to really have a good think about their lifestyle and how busy they are. Having the latest trend may not be the best thing for some people.

I can just imagine how an island bench looks with a new mum and all her baby bottles and steriliser container sitting around! Good thing baby grows up! :lol:

sneakersss · Feb 27, 2008 9:59 pm

the only thing we have on our island bench is the stainless steel dishrack (used for the pots and pans) and one glass/stainless steel soap dispenser. we keep everything else under the sink in the cupboard.

as for that mug that never makes it to the dishwasher - it's not allowed to happen in my house! hehe everyone must put their dirty dishes in the dishwasher as soon as they're done so that it doesn't create clutter (which I hate) or block the sink when you actually need it. this way it also doesn't become a chore just for one person but rather everyone pitches in to keep the kitchen clean.

Dukekamaya · Feb 27, 2008 10:12 pm

I have what Michelle said - a large island bench with no sink.
It does get covered with just about everything else though :lol:

d@n · Feb 27, 2008 11:03 pm

what's wrong with a cink in an island bench?

Is the bench seen as a feature of the kitchen?

Strumer · Feb 27, 2008 11:24 pm

d@n

what's wrong with a cink in an island bench?

Is the bench seen as a feature of the kitchen?

This is a real point of contention in kitchen design and useage...my opinion is that a kitchen is primarily a working area and should be acknowledged as such - having said that a workspace is more useable when kept clean and tidy (just look in any commercial kitchen, you won't find cups and saucers just sitting around on the bench or in the sink); but it seems to me that a lot of modern kitchen design is putting the "look" ahead of the practicality, whereas the layout achieved by pursuing functional goals can ultimately prove equally appealing...it is the whole "form follows function" maxim as originally purported by the Bauhaus and which still withstands scrutiny today.

A big island bench with nothing on it is great if you have the room, but if you don't then put a sink in it!

bec · Feb 27, 2008 11:41 pm

what does everyone with stone tops do the chopping on?

is any chopping board thing ok on ceasarstone?...like not going to stratch
the stone being dragged across it or something....

Paula · Feb 28, 2008 8:54 am

I have a friend that has her soap dispenser built into the bench - so all you see is the stainles steel spout - look neat clean and slick....only problem is I keep trying to fill my glass with water from it :wink:

Helyn · Feb 28, 2008 10:21 am

YSSIM

everyone pitches in to keep the kitchen clean.

If only this would happen in real life !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

well, I must admit it doesn't in mine - one person does most of the work - guess who???? :roll:

sneakersss · Feb 28, 2008 5:17 pm

Helyn

YSSIM

everyone pitches in to keep the kitchen clean.

If only this would happen in real life !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

well, I must admit it doesn't in mine - one person does most of the work - guess who???? :roll:

lol it happens in my house. but that's only after years of nagging. haha

DeeElle · Feb 28, 2008 11:35 pm

thats the problem with open plan ... everything is on show. In our house the kitchen will be well used and I won't be bugging everyone to stack their stuff away (pointless exercise ... :roll:

). We have an appliance cupboard and will keep the kettle, toaster and cups away but apart from that .....

we'll do what we usually do ... run around madly trying to clean up before the outlaws come over :lol:

. Rest of the week it will be a shambles and ppl can take us as they find us.