Moving into a new home is stressful, but what could make it even more stressful is deciding what you want your kitchen to look like. Counter space in every kitchen is necessary as you need all the space you can get. A kitchen island is perfect for additional counter space, but the central question here is should it be two-level or one level?
A two-level kitchen island has two islands, but they are joined together instead of separated. It consists of the actual kitchen island with an additional table height or bar height surface usually attached to the outer edge. The lower level is used for cooking and preparations, while the upper level is for dining.
A one-level kitchen island is the opposite of a two-level kitchen island because you have just one island. There is no additional table or bar height surfaced attached to it. It is solely used for cooking and preparation.
Both choices are great designs for your kitchen island; it all depends on which suits your taste best. The apparent difference is that the two-level kitchen island has an additional surface (two surfaces) attached, while the one level kitchen island has one surface.
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| Description | Two level kitchen island | One level kitchen island |
| Versatility | The two level kitchen island can be used for different purposes such as cooking, food preparations, dining and entertaining. | A one level kitchen island can only be used for cooking or food preparations. Using it for dining may result in a messy situation. |
| Convenience | Some people consider a two level kitchen island as an inconvenience in terms of obstruction of space in the kitchen. | A one level kitchen island is less challengingas it does not occupy too much space. |
| Space | People find a bi-level kitchen island as an obstruction of space in the kitchen; it can make the room feel smaller depending on the amount of space available. | Single kitchen islands are the perfect choice for people with a smaller kitchen. It takes up less space compared to the two level kitchen island. |
| Function | It has two surfaces; one functions as a space for food preparation, usually with a sink, while the other serves as a space for entertainment. | It has only one surface, which serves as a space for food preparation and usually has a sink or dishwasher. You could also it for dining but that might be inconvenient. |
| Usage | Two level kitchen islands are usually used in luxury homes where the kitchen is big enough to accommodate its size. | You will find this type of kitchen island in smaller kitchens. They can even be elongated to maximize space. |
Contents
Differences between Two Level Kitchen Island and One Level
The differences between a two level and one level kitchen island are apparent due to their design. This brings us to the first difference between these two kitchen island styles.
Design
A significant difference between two-level and one level kitchen islands, as written above, is that the former is designed to have two surfaces while the latter has only one. The main point of having a two-level kitchen island is that you get more than one counter space in your kitchen. It is a much better option than having two different kitchen islands.
A one-level kitchen island has one flat surface that can be elongated depending on your style choice and how big your kitchen is. You can choose to add a sink, a dishwasher and a cooker to make the most out of your space.
A two-level kitchen island has a similar design; the only difference is that a different surface is attached to the actual island. It could be a table or bar height surface, depending on what you think is best. The standard bar height is 42 inches, so you can get 30-42 inches long stools. You can also add a sink, a cooker and a dishwasher.
Versatility
How versatile are these two kitchen island styles in terms of design and workspace? You can use them for different purposes, but the two-level kitchen island has the upper hand because of its extra space. This is another difference between the two-level and one level kitchen islands.
The one-level kitchen island can be used for different purposes; the only problem is that it can get quite messy as it is just one surface. Its versatility all depends on how far you are willing to go in cleaning all the time. Regular maintenance is required if you decide to use it for cooking, cleaning, dining, entertainment, workspace, homework centre, etc.
One primary reason why people opt for the two-level kitchen island is that it has two different surfaces, which is an excellent way of differentiating the workspace and the dining area.
The bottom level, which has your and probably your cooker, can be used for everything preparation related. The raised deck can be used for dining, homework, entertaining friends, etc. That way, you will not have to worry about stains and soil.
Similarities between Two Level Kitchen Island and One Level
They Serve the Same Functions
All kitchen islands, whether one level or two-level, share the same purpose: to add counter and storage space to your kitchen. You can use the cabinets attached to them to store your cooking appliances. They also serve as a form of the dining area in the home.
Adding stools to your kitchen island increases its value. You can entertain friends over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, have dinner with your family, help your kids with their homework, and use the space as a temporary office.
Kitchen islands do more than add extra storage and counter space in your kitchen. They also serve as a design element by adding aesthetics to your kitchen and home.
Conclusion
Now that you are done reading this article, which do you think is perfect for your home? A two-level and one level kitchen island are great options for your kitchen space; it all depends on which suits your taste best and the size of your kitchen. A smaller kitchen will accommodate a one-level island, while a larger kitchen, a two-level island.