Use an Island to Enhance Your Kitchen
This pretty kitchen island fits right into the rest of the kitchen with a matching countertop and an all-white color scheme. Add interest and texture with beadboard panels, and consider how the stools factor into the overall scene. In this kitchen, acrylic stools add a modern touch and take up little visual space.
Kitchen Island Seating
Adding a tabletop to your island is an excellent way to add seating in the kitchen. It’s also a way to enjoy the added prep space of an island with less visual weight, which in this kitchen allows a better view of the stunning tile design. This option may work for you if you have ample storage elsewhere in your kitchen or limited room for dining.
Kitchen Island Sink
Adding a sink to the kitchen island is almost essential in the workflow of this small kitchen, and it might make the most sense for your home, too. Bear in mind that moving plumbing off the wall is an added cost, so make sure it’s practical and necessary before going this route.
Double Islands
Double islands can give you dual functionality. Rather than one giant island, this parallel arrangement uses the center of the room, creating a direct line between the sink and prep space to the oven.
Kitchen Island Clearance
Islands need at least 36 inches of clearance all the way around for easy navigation and to ensure you can open cupboard and appliance doors. Knowing this will help you determine the largest size island you can fit in your kitchen.
Island Drawer Storage
This unique island prioritizes storage over a seating area with a set of beaded drawers. This could be a good route for you if you have a separate dining area or a lot of storage needs. Adjust the drawer style and hardware to suit different aesthetics.
Vintage Table Kitchen Island
Vintage tables as kitchen islands add priceless character to new-build kitchens like this one. If you’re using a lot of wood tones, bring in some contrast, such as the modern chrome stools used here.
Double-Sided Island Cabinets
Most kitchen islands have some storage on the side facing the rest of the kitchen workspace. This island shows that you can also add cabinets on the back of your island. This makes the storage on both sides less deep, so the objects inside are easier to reach.
Open Island Storage
Open storage on your kitchen island puts objects in easy reach, and it creates an opportunity for decorating. Here, colorful cookbooks and entertaining items bring vibrant color to the space, while less aesthetic items are tucked into storage baskets.
Consider Your Needs
Rather than a full line of stools, seating shares space with additional storage on the outer side of this island. Given that the footprint of this kitchen is relatively small, more storage makes sense, especially if there’s a dining table nearby.
Natural Wood Kitchen Island
The island is a great place to bring in natural wood, which can be too expensive to use as all-over cabinetry. You can see how the lightly stained wood island offers warmth and a sense of life to this kitchen.
Kitchen Island Storage
The options for kitchen island storage are almost endless, from drawers and cabinets to open or hanging shelving. Here, two large pull-out cabinets face the open side of the kitchen, allowing easy access to trash and recycling. The “bar” side of the island is used for storing hanging items.
Waterfall Edge Countertop
Waterfall edge countertops are stunning. They look gorgeous in modern or contemporary spaces and allow you to feature more of a stone you love in your home. This look requires more stone and installation labor, so be prepared for a higher cost.
Vintage Butcher-Block Kitchen Island
A vintage butcher block is the ultimate score for home cooks who love a vintage look. These gorgeous pieces are made to prep food right on the surface. They’re heavy and can be expensive, although you can usually find less expensive options on local online marketplaces.
Add Contrast with a Vintage Island
Using furniture, such as a work table, instead of an island can add warmth, texture, and a traditional look to your kitchen. Look for something that’s counter-height or close to it. If you need to make your table taller, add casters to the legs or a layer of butcher block or stone to the worktop.
Improve Function
Your kitchen island should be counter-height to be a comfortable surface for prepping food. Casters are a great hack to add to vintage items, as they add height and make a piece mobile, increasing its function and versatility.
Custom Kitchen Island Design
You can design a kitchen island to look like furniture so it fits into a traditional kitchen with the benefits of modern design. This island was designed with two functions—a table on one end and storage on the other. To achieve a pseudo-traditional look, be sure your island is built on legs rather than extending all the way to the floor.
Vintage Kitchen Work Table
This vintage kitchen work table fits perfectly in this small kitchen and suits the style of the old home. You can purchase similar tables new and distress them for a vintage vibe. Just be sure any finishes you use are sealed for food safety.
Choose the Right Island Stools
This island setup shows how important the choice of stools can be in your decor scheme. The warm leather of the stools echoes the red oven, which makes both items look intentional and part of a color palette rather than a random accent. Had the stools been gray or brown like the rest of the kitchen, this room wouldn’t look as vibrant.
Paint Your Island an Accent Color
Many people paint the island a different color than their cabinets for a more dynamic look. Choose complementary colors if you want your island (or cabinets) to pop. For a more subtle or streamlined look, choose analogous colors, or colors in the same color family, as shown here.