How a Waterfall Island Can Fit in Your Kitchen Design

What You Need To Know About Waterfall Islands in Kitchen Design

While kitchens share many common design traits, there’s only one kitchen that matters: yours. Custom features can add utility, space, and aesthetics. As one of the latest developments in kitchen design, waterfall islands open up many possibilities to create a space that best meets your needs. Keep reading to learn more about waterfall islands: design features, materials, benefits, and factors to consider before installing one in your kitchen.



Waterfall Island Design Basics

The waterfall kitchen island gets its name from the construction of its countertop. Counter surfaces extend past the island’s edges, running down the sides until they meet the floor. This modern innovation offers the same functionality as traditional kitchen islands while adding a touch of sophistication. Waterfall islands offer several unique benefits:

• Easier cleaning with no edge seams
• Concealing storage space, outlets, and appliances
• Protects cabinets under the countertop
• Creates a visual focal point

Before diving headfirst into a waterfall island project, you should consider your budget. While they cost more than traditional islands, the price you pay for superior-grade materials and workmanship can be well worth it.

Choosing Your Materials

Waterfall island countertops can be fashioned from many kinds of materials: metal, stone, concrete, and wood. Each offers unique advantages for your island. Exploring these materials can help you better understand your options.

Stone

Stone surfaces are sought-after choices for waterfall countertops. Besides the visual appeal, these surfaces withstand the rigorous use and tough conditions that countertops usually undergo. Traditional stone materials include quartz, granite, marble, and travertine. They’re all durable and attractive, each with unique benefits. Quartz is non-porous, solid, and resistant to stains and scratches. Granite is easy to clean and resists heat, chipping, and scratching. Marble Marble creates an opulent look and remains naturally cool to the touch. Travertine is durable and beautiful but can be vulnerable to etching and requires periodic sealing.

Newer stone options include Caesarstone, an engineered quartz material developed in the 1980s. Available in an array of colors and patterns, its sturdy, flexible, heat-resistant, and non-porous surface delivers years of attractive appearance and dependable use. Silestone combines quartz with durable minerals and recycled materials. As another long-wearing countertop option, it offers low maintenance with exceptional resistance to scratches and stains.

Concrete

Concrete is versatile and durable. This material can be custom-fabricated in many textures, patterns, and colors. While it resists wear and tear, its porous nature means that regular sealing is needed to avert stains and etching from acidic substances.

Wood

Wood countertops are enjoying renewed popularity. Besides its natural and rustic look, it offers easy customization and requires simple maintenance to keep its functionality and appearance. Because wood is porous, it requires regular sealing like concrete and travertine.

Metal

Metal countertops create a clean look that’s ideal for modern kitchens. Using just dish soap and water, you can clean metal countertops without harsh abrasives. Metal is durable, non-porous, and easy to disinfect. One major drawback to metal countertops is the excess noise generated while being used.

When designing your waterfall kitchen island, collaborating with an expert countertop supplier Santa Rosa is a wise move. You can learn more about popular countertop materials and get recommendations that work best for your design.

Design Details

The construction of waterfall kitchen islands requires design expertise and attention to craft. Size, assembly, and electrical outlet placements are key considerations. You’ll also need to think about seating, hardware, cabinet door styles, and under-countertop storage. Some countertop materials are simpler to fashion for a waterfall countertop than others, but skilled technicians can complete this project with virtually any type of material.

Can a Waterfall Island Work in Your Kitchen?

When considering a waterfall island for your kitchen, you have more to think about than just your budget. You’ll want to look at aesthetics: Waterfall islands fit best in modern, contemporary, and Mediterranean kitchens. Without thoughtful design approaches, they can look out of place in farmhouse, cottage, coastal, Old World, and traditional kitchens. You must also consider your kitchen’s layout and the available space you have for placing an island.

Waterfall islands are one way you can enhance a new or existing kitchen design. At Ceramic Tile Center, we offer countertops, tile, and cabinets that deliver the functionality, durability, and style you desire for your kitchen and bathroom. Consult with us by completing our contact form or calling (707) 578-1350.