Get more storage and add style to your kitchen by adding an island and learn about built-in appliances, lighting, and more
Islands: Featured Article
Problem: Frequent hosts needed room to prep big dinner parties
Solution: Annex adjacent nooks to add a second prep and cleanup area… more
More on Kitchens
Q: We'll soon begin construction of a new home, which
will have a kitchen with an electric cooktop on a large island. The
problem is that the kitchen will open to a great room, and the ceiling
above the island will be about 11 feet high. We'd like to minimize the
visual impact of the hood, so I'm wondering if it can be made of
something clear, like glass or Plexiglass. I sketched out a design and
showed it to the interior designer at our local home center, but he said
it might cost as much as $15,000 to custom-build! Could it really be
that expensive?
— Fred, Montrose, California
Mock up a kitchen island out of cardboard boxes or wooden crates to determine size and placement. Plan for at least 42 inches between the island and nearest countertop and 36 inches to any wall.
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