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A kitchen island is a wonderfully versatile piece of kitchen furniture. Families like to gather around it and it can even become a great perching spot for a small, informal party. You can have one that’s designed just as a workspace or you can have one designed to be a place for conversation by adding some kitchen stools. You can even have one built-in with cook tops and sinks, if you wish.

But small kitchens might simply become crowded if one is added. The larger the room, the better, but there are some simple things you can check to make sure that your room can really benefit from a kitchen island rather than suddenly feel cluttered and full.

Measure and mark off the area where the Island will be taking up space. Use masking tape or some type of marking that won’t damage your floor. Now go about your daily business in your kitchen. How many times you find yourself stepping into that area? When you open your dishwasher, stove or refrigerator does it go into your marked off area? Do you find yourself standing there when you’re pulling out the recycling or your garbage can?

You’re naturally going to walk across it several times, but the point is to make sure that your daily activities don’t require some of that space to be convenient. If you plan to have kitchen stools around your island, give yourself enough room to account for those when considering things like a refrigerator or dishwasher door. You might find you need a smaller island or even one that’s portable so you can roll it out of the way if needed.

A kitchen island can be a great addition if there’s plenty of room for it, so be sure there is before you trade off floor space for counter space.

To achieve that classy and stylish look, granite sinks are the best choice to incorporate in any kitchen. Apart from the numerous aesthetic advantages you will gain from this material, its durability and easy maintenance makes it a practical and popular option for those planning to update the look of their kitchen. The most wonderful thing about them is their ability to endure the daily wear and tear due to constant use. Also, granite is a versatile material that does not lose its quality easily. It keeps its lustrous appearance for a long time; although, you should be wary about the dos and don’ts of owning granite sinks.

Things to remember:

• If possible, always wipe the sink after each use.
• Make sure stagnant water is absent from your sink. This is necessary to avoid the buildup of mineral deposits.
• Use mild cleaning solutions instead of strong cleaning agents as this might damage the sink’s surface.
• Using an abrasive pad is the best choice when removing stubborn stains, but make sure to avoid over-scrubbing.
• For markings that are hard to remove, you can opt to use bleach and water. Allow the mixture to stay on your sink overnight and in the morning rinse it well with water.
• If there are metal residues on the material, a soft nylon brush with liquid soap should do the trick.

Things to avoid:

• Dropping any kind of sharp materials should be avoided.
• Steel or iron cookware left on the sink for a long time can leave stain on your sink.
• Granite sinks should be free of rubber dish mats, cleaning pads, or sponges to prevent permanent staining.
• Products with chlorine and concentrated bleaches must be stored away from the sink as they can cause discoloration.
• Using the sink as a cutting surface is not a good idea.

Take note of the above-mentioned tips to ensure that you will be able to preserve the lustrous beauty and stunning appeal of your granite sink. Whether you are dealing with a Franke granite sink or a pegasus sink, following these basics will ensure you are able to enjoy your home improvement investment for many years to come.