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Design Dilemma Kitchens

Structural Post in Kitchen Island?

4 years ago

Hi All

I may be in a situation where I need to place a structural post within a kitchen island. I am thinking it would need to go in the worktop 'over-hang' that makes up the counter that the stools go under.

Does anybody have any experience of doing this and any suggestions of how to style it so that it looks like part of the overall design rather than just a structural necessity.

I attach a couple of photos - I quite like the idea of a circular post - what do you think?

There is a possibility of not having a post but it would cost a significant amount more - is it worth it? Should I be avoiding a post at all costs?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Featured Answer

Resh

4 years ago

here you go. We moved before we properly decorated the kitchen, so excuse all the white walls!

Comments (16)

Jonathan
4 years ago
I think the style of the kitchen dictates whether you have a round or square post.
As far as placement you need to consult with a kitchen designer first.
You might also want to consider what work surface you want- consider corian for a seamless finish.
Maths Wife
4 years ago
I think probably the structural engineer will have a say in what type of post and shape, as the usual is Box section RSJ. It may need bolting ( and probably will ) to another steel going across the top, thus box section will be a must, i would have thought. So i'd start there and then plan around it.
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rinked
4 years ago
A post on an edge/side of your island could look fine. Through the worktop is less preferable (seams). If you'd post the layout, we could probably give better advise.

But the type of post should be calculated and advised by your structural engineer.
Sonia
4 years ago
My sister has been advised to do just as you were told with the support post with her new extension and kitchen. She is going to keep the post round and have it through the wooden part of her island. She is going to simply paint it white.
PRO
OnePlan
4 years ago
Sometimes adding a second faux post can add balance ?!
PRO
Brandler London
4 years ago
Personally, when I work on projects where a structural column is a necessity then I look to disguise it as it is the first thing that catches the eye when you enter a room.... It is the feature that your brain automatically asks why was that needed? or what a shame as it spoils the rest of the interior.

Perhaps you can think about have a small built in shelf/cupboard section over part or all of the worktop width which hides the column. This will at least give the impression that this was designed like this on purpose rather than being a compromise.

I am however surprised that such a column would be required as the width of residential rooms is generally comfortably spanned by the steel RSJs. The only caveat being what size of beam is required to carry the load and whether this projects below the line of the ceiling.
Resh
4 years ago
We had this in our last house. The post was extraordinarily useful as it housed plug and ethernet sockets for running stuff on the island, as well as the master heating controller for the house, and extra switch for the island pendant lights (H section steel beam, so lots of room for running cables along two sides of the post). Really did not detract from the kitchen very much at all, and was a lot cheaper than the goal-post steel that would have been required otherwise. I'll try to find a pic.

You can also, as others have said, make a feature of it with a round post, or even just the painted steel beam itself for an industrial look.
Resh
4 years ago
Oh, and we had the granite worktop custom cut to fit around around the post, which was painted white. Looked good.
PRO
MALLETT
4 years ago
Incorporate the post into the kitchen layout. Depending on what you are looking to achieve, keeping the steel exposed and painting it can make it a feature rather trying to hide it in a boxing. Or do what we did on a recent project and clad it in reclaimed oak for a more traditional look.
Resh
4 years ago
MALLETT, that photo looks great, I have to say.
Gabby Wong
4 years ago
Wow Resh, MALLETT, those rooms look stunning..

If we could have had a pillar going through the island I'd have been happy to do so to save some of the cost!... unfortunately they said we'd have needed the post in the middle of where we're having our opening between the 2 rooms - Very annoying!
PRO
Brandler London
4 years ago
Gabby.... would you please let us know what the width of the two rooms are and whether the end walls of these rooms are load bearing or not.

It seems very odd that this is the only option that your designers are proposing.
Gabby Wong
4 years ago
Oh don't worry Brandler - it's not the only option (and not what we're doing) it was because of us essentially knocking out the back wall of 2 rooms, as well as opening up the 2 rooms, but the place , but are also building above... it's all sorted now anyway, we've just got the extra steel to support it all :-)
PRO
Brandler London
4 years ago
Great news Gabby.... it did seem a little odd that the only option your designers were offering was a post/column in the middle of one of the most important rooms in a home! :-)
Gabby Wong
4 years ago
Lol no I meant I was disappointed that where they said the post would have to go (instead of through the island) as a post in the island would have saved me a chunk of money!

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