There are sempiternal ideas for plan this modern kitchen necessity .
A kitchen island not only increase the function of your kitchen but also serves as a fundamental area for cementing its aesthetic . There are endless kitchen island idea forarranging appliances , seating , repositing , and solid food prep spaces , and even more ways to decorate them . A kitchen island should most of all be usable , but that does n’t mean it ca n’t add character reference and interest group to the space that will personalize and update this most - used spot in your home .
Werner Straube

Credit:Werner Straube
This templet features our bestkitchen islandideas for every trend so you may find a look and layout that works for your kitchen . Your vibration may be cottage or it may be modern , but whatever your facial expression , we have examples for you to see . Whether you ’re wondering aboutwaterfall - bound countertopsor sourcing a vintage kitchen island , get revolutionise by our collection of island designs .
Enhance Your Kitchen
Annie Schlechter
This pretty island fits decently into the residue of the kitchen with a matching countertop and anall - clean color scheme . Add interest and texture withbeadboard panel , and view how the stools component into the overall picture . This kitchen ’s acrylic stools add a mod touch and take up little optical space . The cooktop is fix on the kitchen island , but there ’s still mint of room for serving a meal to people sitting there .
Increase Kitchen Seating
Buff Strickland
Adding a tabletopis an excellent kitchen island idea for adding seating area . It ’s also a way to enjoy the add prep space of an island with less optical weight , which allows a better view of the stunning tile blueprint in this kitchen . This option may work for you if you have ample storage elsewhere in your kitchen or modified elbow room for dining .
Install a Sink
Julie Soefer
add a sinkto the kitchen island is almost all important in the workflow of this small kitchen , which has limited antagonistic place and memory . heel counter seating is the fundamental location for feeding and snack . place a swallow hole in an island like this might make the most sense for your home . However , make a motion plumbing off the wall is an add toll , so verify it ’s virtual and necessary before snuff it this route .
Double Up on Kitchen Island Ideas
Jay Wilde
Double island can give you twofold functionality . Rather than one jumbo island , this kitchen island idea is a parallel system that uses the center of the room , make a direct linebetween the sink , preparation space , and oven . The space ’s function is maximized , let two people to form at the islands simultaneously , one at the sump and the other prepping intellectual nourishment or wait on a meal at the other . outsize islands look impressive , but it can be a waste material of blank when the center of the island ca n’t be reached from the perimeter .
Navigate Around an Island
James Nathan Schroder
The wrong - size kitchen island can make it dispute to work in . Islands need at least 36 inches of clearance all the way around foreasy navigationand to ensure you could open closet and gizmo doors . Knowing this will assist you determine the largest size island you may fit in your kitchen .
Provide Plenty of Island Storage
Brie Williams
Thisunique island prioritizes storageover a sit down area with beaded drawers . It could be a good kitchen island musical theme if you have an feed - in kitchen for perfunctory repast and a disjoined dining way for more courtly seats or if you need a lot of storage for table linen , extra function utensils , or other kitchen detail . you may adjust the drawer expressive style and hardware to beseem different aesthetics .
Find a Vintage Table for an Island
Laurey Glenn
Vintage tablesas kitchen islands add priceless character to new - build kitchens like this one . If you ’re using a slew of wood smell , bring in some line , such as the modern upholstered chrome stools used here . This kitchen island estimate has plenty of entrepot below for magnanimous item , or keep it uncomplicated with a few cosmetic items like a basketball hoop with fruit .
Maximize Island Storage Options
Anthony Masterson
Most kitchen island have some storage on the side facing the rest of the kitchen workspace . This island evince that you’re able to also add cabinets on the back of your island . This makes the storage on both sides less mysterious , construct the objective inside easier to reach . employ barstools for seating that ’s easily move out of the way when entrepot postulate to be get at .
Create Open Island Storage
Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Open storageon your kitchen island puts object in well-to-do reach , make an opportunity for deck . Here , cookbook and entertaining items bring vivacious color to the quad , while less esthetically pleasing items are tucked into storage basketball hoop , which tally texture and optic pastime .
Consider Your Needs
Rather than a full communication channel of stools , seat parcel quad with extra repositing on the outer side of this island . feed that this kitchen ’s footprint is relatively small , more storage make good sense , especially if there ’s a dining table nearby . The barstools are upholstered in the same chromaticity as the orbit bonnet , creating continuity and adding impersonal colour to themostly white kitchen .
Utilize Natural Wood
The island is a neat place tobring in lifelike wood , which can be expensive for all - over cabinetry . The lightly tarnish wood island carry on the wood ending on the floor to bring warmth to the kitchen , enhanced by the warm gray - putting green on the storage locker and a cosy rug in the same color as the barstool seats .
Bring In Lots of Storage
Lincoln Barbour
Kitchen island ideas that let in storage are almost endless , from drawers and cabinets to open or attend shelving . Here , two large wrench - out cabinets face the open side of the kitchen , allowing easy access to trash and recycling . The “ Browning automatic rifle ” side of the island is used for storing hanging point . If want , the bar root for on the cabinet can be used to pay heed extra dish towels .
Try a Waterfall Edge Countertop
Waterfall edge countertops are sensational . They look gorgeous in modern or contemporary spaces and allow you to feature more of the Edward Durell Stone you lie with in your home . However , this face requires more Harlan F. Stone andinstallation labor , so be prepare for a high cost .
Feature a Retro Look
Avintage stumbler blockis the ultimate grievance for home James Cook who fuck an old - school look . These gorgeous piece are made to prep food flop on the control surface . They ’re heavy and can be expensive , although you could unremarkably find less costly options on local on-line market . Butcher engine block is easy to wish for , too — wipe it down with soapy water after using and let dry . Treat with mineral oil every couple of months .
Search for a Well-Loved Work Table
Dane Tashima
Using furniture like a piece of work tableas a kitchen island can add heat , grain , and a traditional expression to your kitchen . Look for something that ’s counter - height or close to it . If you require to make your table magniloquent , add a layer of blunderer block or stone to the worktop . When not used for prep or dining , decorate with seasonal items like dried branch or fresh - picked vegetables .
Improve the Island’s Function
Hector Sanchez
Your kitchen island should be counter - height to provide a comfortable aerofoil for prepping food . Casters are a groovy hack writer to add to vintage items , as they add height and make a piece mobile , increasing its function and versatility . The scalloped detailing on this piece instantly add historical personality to this contemporary quad .
Customize Your Kitchen Island Idea
Robert Peterson
you may design a kitchen island to look like furniture so it fit into a traditional kitchen with the benefits of modern design . This island was designed with two purpose — an feeding board on one end and prep and storage on the other . To achieve atraditional casuallook , be indisputable your island is build on wooden leg rather than extend to the floor .
Coordinate the Look
Kritsada Panichgul
This worn - but - welcome kitchen piece of work board fits perfectly in this small-scale kitchen and suit the flair of the old place . you’re able to purchase similar tables new and straiten them for a vintage vibration . Just be sure any cultivation you use are seal for food refuge . This kitchen island ’s facial expression fits well with the wood backsplash that reduplicate as a shelf and theopen shelvingabove . An antique faecal matter completes the motion-picture show .
Choose the Right Island Stools
John Bessler
This island setup depict how important the alternative of feces can be in your decor outline . The affectionate leather of the stools echoes there d oven , which makes both items look knowing and part of a color pallet rather than a random accent . Had the stools been gray or dark-brown like the respite of the kitchen , this room would n’t look as vivacious . The pane on the paries keep the wood subject , enhancing the bungalow flavour of this cosy space .
Paint Your Island an Accent Color
Many kitchen island are painted a dissimilar color than their cabinet for a more dynamic spirit . take complementary colours if you require your island ( or console ) to pop . Choose correspondent color or colors in the same color family line for a more subtle or streamlined spirit , as shown here , where mystifying gentle and grey contribute profoundness to the whitened tile rampart and idle wood level .
Choose the Right Island for Your Kitchen
Michael Hunter
This vintage pelf cabinet await properly at home in this refined but rustic kitchen island idea . Its distressed panel add theatrical role and brighten the wood structure , recall the pendants overhead . The large island is as functional as it is attractive , with a big work open for chopping , prepping , and eat on .
If you ’re shopping for a furniture piece for your island , determine the style of your kitchen based on the epoch you ’re endeavor to emulate to generate keywords for your hunting .

Credit:Annie Schlechter
Lean Into Traditional Kitchen Island Ideas
Ann VanderWiel Wilde
Work tables were used or else of kitchen islands inhistoric house , but in modern times , the functionality of an island can be arduous to beat . So , how do you make a built - in island search right in a traditional kitchen ? judge adding detail like the corbels and framing used here for a more old - earth look .
Top off Stools with Texture
Nathan Schroder
Think about the interplay of materials between your island and the stools you select . The pot can be a not bad spot to inaugurate a contrast material and semblance for add interest in the kitchen . Here , the lifelike rattan commode complement the all - sorry kitchen and echo the fond wood of the botcher block counter on the island .
Feature a Farmhouse Island
take over some mind from this detailed example to design an island for afarmhouse - fashion kitchen . Turned wood stake in rude wood and barn door - style face combine to make a hearty encroachment in this bumpkinly kitchen . The black blusher echo black found elsewhere in the room to lend a cohesive feel to a extremely elaborate space , where a intimate chair is a perfect spot to sit and riffle through cookery book .
Match Seating to the Island
This kitchen come to a remainder between countryfied traditional and glam , and the island is no exception , with a sleek stone countertop and bumpkinly planked facing . Notice how the stools heighten the style with a natural Grant Wood base and plush , almost glam blanched tooshie . Thewhite - paint plankson the island ’s edge are an unexpected detail that takes the island from great to fab .
Seek Out a Small Kitchen Island Idea
Adam Albright
you may stillfit an island in small spaces , and they can add much - involve homework or seating space . bulge with the square footage of your kitchen , and value at least 36 inches from any counter , appliance , or door . This will help you figure out the size of island your kitchen can conciliate .
Stay True to Country
This sweetcountry kitchenis made all the more functional by a large island with a swallow hole and eat area . The extended table portion feels airy and permit more computer memory under the island . A enceinte kitchen island like this allows for ornamental displays along the centre where there wo n’t be any work being done , so lend refreshful flowers or other verdure to bring in a second of nature , especially when it ’s gloomy outdoors .
Load Up On Materials
Jared Kuzia
This kitchen is a master class incolor palette figure . It has many material , but they ’re all white , ignominious , natural wood , or nerve . you may utilize a narrow color palette to prefer island materials that are different from your cabinetwork but still coordinate .
Modernize a Kitchen Island
Kim Cornelison
This island contribute to the kitchen’smodern lookthanks to its minimalist materials , which are the same larchwood and soap-rock as the rest of the cabinetry , keeping the contrast to the backsplash , where shiny teal tile instill the room with colour . The island ’s third power - like expression and minimum countertop overhang also contribute to the updated vibration .
Cart In an Island
A pull - outkitchen cartis a apt way to customise your island with more homework and entertaining space . You could do something interchangeable with a butcher - cube top employed as a built - in cutting table . This usage face is fashionable and functional since it ’s light to lay away away when crowds gather to keep the Captain James Cook company .
Go Small for Big Style
Stacey Zarin Goldberg
This little kitchen island mind offer a ton of functionality with two seats , preparation space , and computer memory in the work area . A dark Ellen Price Wood worktop is cost - effective and echoes the warm Robert Brown in the stools and shelving . A slim block of cabinets paint the samedark blueas the island is a clever way to connect the kitchen ’s two areas .
Update a Kitchen Island
Jason Donnelly
With the help of a few details , you could transform a brand - novel kitchen island from simple to traditional . Turned Ellen Price Wood legs , bead circuit board , and an antique key stopping point combine to give this new island avintage French countrylook . Elegant luxuriously - backed barstools add to the French feel of this charming blank , where wood cabinet unify with paint white ones for an old - world esthetic .
Tile an Island with Color
island often have a work side and a side for seating area , where you could play with aesthetics more . Depending on your style , you might paint your island or add beadboard or raw wood to this area . This island featuresstunning ceramic tile for a pop of colorthat ’s not too consuming .
Refine the Look
This kitchen island idea lets the materials and craft shine , and the effect is traditional but timeless . The island isoutfitted in unsubdivided molding , which elevate it beyond a simple box and add to the traditional feeling in this kitchen . At the same prison term , telegram - backed chrome barstools have distinctly contemporary lines .
Start from Scratch
Designing a custom kitchen island theme lets you get the flavor and property for your space and style . Here , a wooden base with table leg and upright slats has stools on one side and open depot on the other . The simple composition is the only wood finish in the room and adds function and a modern touch modality to thetraditional kitchen .
Simplify Your Kitchen Island Idea
Sometimes , people want their kitchen islands to take a optical backseat to other elements in the elbow room . Here , the island is finished in the same cabinetwork and countertop as the repose of the kitchen so that standout particular , like the chandelier and range of mountains hood , can shine . Asimple kitchen islandlike this one is also price - efficient .
Contrast Countertop Styles
Using adifferent type of countertopon your kitchen island can add a ton of visual pastime and increase your budget ’s tractableness . A foolproof combining is butcher block in one sphere and stone in the other . Here , the sizable woodwind return on the island is stained coloured to counterpoint the finespun marble counter . The large island is a statement in this room , where it attend as a spot to eat , do homework , and prep nutrient for meal .
Select Appliances for Your Island
Edmund Barr
Deciding which appliances to impart to the island , if any , is a teaser you need to do work out with a declarer . If you include a cesspool on the island , like this farmhouse modeling emphasize withgold fixtures , it makes sense to place the dishwashing machine nearby . The microwave oven , often considered an eyesore , is another rough-cut appliance to pucker into a kitchen island . Placing the microwave low on the island makes it soft for kids to nuke their favorite snacks .
Enlarge the Island’s Profile
plump big with your islandmakes sense if you have a large kitchen . This island has a full - sizing cesspit , seating region , and slews of prep space . The black - paint base feature a infantry rail for comforter . Placing the sink at the edge of the island ’s heart allows for plenty of room for other action around it , like stack dishes or plating dinner .
Slim Down the Island
Even if your kitchen is narrow , you may have a untiring island that stool the most of a little way . This island does n’t have seating but includes essentials like a sink , preparation distance , and storage . There ’s wad of room to walk around this petite spot , so it does n’t inhibit traffic .
Highlight Coastal and Modern
Chad R. Mellon
Wide vertical planks paint in a soothingblue - graymake this island a grounding forcefulness in this coastal - modernistic kitchen . inscrutable drawers bear hatful and goat god or pocket-size appliances , keeping countertops clear . Stools upholstered in blue ticking subtly heighten the beachy look .
Merge Chic Finishes
The island is an opportunity to get in new materials that your kitchen may be missing . In this causa , faint , natural Natalie Wood is a surprising import of softness thatcomplements the room’scooler colors and stone emphasis .
Sooth with the Color Palette
John Granen
you’re able to have anaccent colour on your islandand still have a subdued , soothing kitchen . The Florida key is looking for color you love in muted smell , like this almost - gray jet . This way is colorful but not overly sheer or undimmed .
Blend with Butcher Block Countertops
The butcher block on this kitchen island warms up the whole kitchen , and it pairs well with the leather crapper . Butcher pulley-block is an low-cost material that can last decennium . However , since it ’s a lenient cloth , prepare for some nicks and scratches and try toclean up spillsas cursorily as potential .
Adapt an Existing Island
Erin Kunkel
If you have ( or only have the budget for ) a small island , adding a board as an file name extension is a budget - friendly way to get more from the space . The table ’s wood surface link it to the Natalie Wood - paneled wall , while the calamitous stage reflect the range cowling . Bonus : Unlike a typical island , it offers face - to - face seating .
Split the Difference
Helen Norman
Adding a bar acme segment to your kitchen island is a neat option , particularly in lowly infinite . It tot up some legal separation between the kitchen and the way beyond and hides visual fuddle in the blank below . If you go this route , purchasebar - height stoolsrather than antagonistic - height stools .
Grow Your Kitchen Island Design Idea
David Greer
This roomy marble island offers another layout if you have room for alarge kitchen island . There ’s a comeback - height section for food prep and sink access and a lower tabular array - peak section with seating . This multi - use kitchen island idea adds a lot of function to an already spacious and well - run place .
Waterfall - border counter look great in modern kitchens like this one . The cube soma coordinate with other geometric furnishing , like this mid - C kitchen’sglobe lightsand vertical grid roofing tile layout . Even the barstools incorporate a woven pattern to add texture .

Credit:Buff Strickland
Retrofit a Vintage Kitchen Island
Vintage work tables do n’t always have the functionality of modernistic kitchen islands . Here , the open shelf was spay to allow more room for people seated on the other side . Such change canmake time of origin pieces more functionalfor modern employment .
Embrace What’s There
The style of your house can help you make up one’s mind what vogue and size of island to install . This little farmhouse kitchen could handle a more oversized island , but it would n’t be typical for the earned run average and would block the path of travel next to the kitchen . Instead , they used a small bureau correspond with casters and astone topto increase prep space while honour the expressive style of the place .
Keep It Clean
Jeff Herr
Complement a white , minimal kitchen with an equally minimal , yet super sleek island . The waterfall style border make out together at a perfect 90 degrees for a uninfected look . The quartz material that was used is complimentary of any speckles , veining , or other ornamental form .

Credit:Julie Soefer

Credit:Jay Wilde

Credit:James Nathan Schroder

Credit:Brie Williams

Credit:Laurey Glenn

Credit:Anthony Masterson

Credit:Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Credit:Jay Wilde

Credit:Jay Wilde

Credit:Lincoln Barbour

Credit:Brie Williams

Credit:Julie Soefer

Credit:Dane Tashima

Credit:Hector Sanchez

Credit:Robert Peterson

Credit:Kritsada Panichgul

Credit:John Bessler

Credit:Annie Schlechter

Credit:Michael Hunter

Credit:Ann VanderWiel Wilde

Credit:Nathan Schroder

Credit:Nathan Schroder


Credit:Adam Albright

Credit:Anthony Masterson

Credit:Jared Kuzia

Credit:Kim Cornelison

Credit:Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Credit:Stacey Zarin Goldberg

Credit:Jason Donnelly

Credit:Werner Straube

Credit:Werner Straube

Credit:Werner Straube

Credit:Julie Soefer

Credit:Edmund Barr

Credit:Brie Williams

Credit:Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Credit:Chad R. Mellon

Credit:Jay Wilde

Credit:John Granen

Credit:Dane Tashima

Credit:Erin Kunkel

Credit:Helen Norman

Credit:David Greer

Credit:Edmund Barr

Credit:John Granen

Credit:James Nathan Schroder

Credit:Jeff Herr