Kitchen Island Living

Plan and build your fantasy island as the pros do -- the right way!

On TV's "Fantasy Island," Mr. Roarke (Ricardo Montalban) granted wishes to make his visitors happy. If you too dream of having your own fantasy island somewhere nice -- like smack in the middle of your kitchen -- you can fulfill your fantasy. Here's what to do and not to do. To do it right, allow at least 36 inches on each side and about 24 inches per person for seating. If a kitchen island is too small, it's worthless. One too big is just too hard to manage and clean. Avoid using glass cabinet doors (they're dangerous) and skip any counter seating in traffic patterns. Add-ons, like a wet sink, increase efficiency, and overhead lights keep your task areas bright. Kitchen islands add lots of flair and drama. Another big benefit is the space. Ahh, Island living, in the kitchen! And that's the On The House tip for today.

See more tips in the Cabinets and Countertops category!