Comments on: Folding kitchen island

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:15:32 +0000

@Gena

I can’t wait to get that table, it’s on my list of upgrades for my apt.

Personally I have the IKEA island. Exactly the same except it doesn’t fold down at a third of the price (Cdn Prices)

http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/cata.....s/70011793

By: Rue

Rue — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:00:29 +0000

I think it’s an interesting idea. However, I don’t think it’s too practical for small spaces. My last apartment had virtually no counter space (at least, none that wasn’t taken up by the sink, stove, or other appliances). But the kitchen definitely wasn’t big enough to park this in, even if only for a little while. You would’ve been able to set it up, but definitely not move around the kitchen too.

By: Quatrefoil

Quatrefoil — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 03:15:24 +0000

I have an old wooden topped ironing board I use for temporary extra bench space. It works a treat and hangs up in the broom cupboard. It cost $15 at a second-hand shop.

By: Wayward

Wayward — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 23:54:14 +0000

My mom has created 2′ of extra counter space in her current and previous home by taking a measure of wood, covering it with laminate to complement the existing countertop, attaching it to the end of the existing counter with hinges, and adding a support strut that folds back when not in use. Her stove is near the end of the counter and this is where she has placed the “new” space.

Think of that section of a bar counter that folds back so people can pass through, except this one folds down. I’ll have to take pictures next time I’m at her house.

By: RRR

RRR — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:27:08 +0000

Regarding the height: the “standard” kitchen counter height is 36 inches. Most every island cart I have seen is 36 inches tall.

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:31:41 +0000

Though this is way too expensive for me, I actually think this is a pretty good idea. My counter space is literally 1 square foot in my tiny apartment. I love to cook, but it is a definite issue to not have enough space for more than one cutting board. I have a large gap between all my appliances, so this could fit there when not in use. But I totally understand how this would be useless for some people.

By: mstreemn

mstreemn — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:28:32 +0000

I have a pull out cutting board by the stove. We fit a small microwave in an upper cabinet after we removed the cabinet door to keep counter space free. I have a double sink that I cover with a cookie sheet and a cutting board when I need extra counter space too. Much easier to store.

By: Lori Paximadis

Lori Paximadis — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:37:47 +0000

When I lived in a teeny place with just about no counter or floor space in the kitchen, I did exactly what @Maxie did: Put a cutting board across an open drawer. It gives you about the same amount of space as this does for a heck of a lot less money, and you don’t have to find an empty corner to store it in.

By: Peter (a different one)

Peter (a different one) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:53:40 +0000

I agree with “Peter (one of many ; )” The lower shelves probably add stability, but the utility is minimal if that.

By: Gena

Gena — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:29:37 +0000

Reminds me of my favorite dining table from IKEA:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/cata.....s/20104718

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:56:38 +0000

My Mum would bring out a small picnic table around Xmas to give extra space for sitting and peeling potatoes and other prep, and also to thaw the (UK Xmas) turkey for what seemed like days. The cat would guard it.

By: Denise

Denise — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:56:18 +0000

Also, it folds up to something that is still fairly large.

I literally have one linear foot of counter space in my kitchen, so I am extremely sympathetic to space issues. But I would not use this. I would either have something fixed or something that would fold much more compactly. I’ll stick with my Intermetro cart from the Container Store and my TV trays, I think.

By: Mac

Mac — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:36:47 +0000

I second Peter’s comment. I have an island similar to this that doesn’t collapse. It acts as extra counter space and storage in a kitchen with very little of either.

By: maxie

maxie — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:06:16 +0000

Besides being too short, wouldn’t it roll away from you while you’re working? Or do the wheels lock? (I’m too lazy to click on the link to read the description)

Anyway, I just open a drawer and put a cutting board across it for more space. Plus, my house is old enough that it has those pull out cutting boards for more surface space.

By: Peter (one of many ; )

Peter (one of many ; ) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:22:34 +0000

We would normally use the lower shelves for permanent storage. This is impossible when you have to fold this up and put it against the wall. So, this boils down to a folding cutting board with two unusable lower shelves.