Big kitchen island ideas
62 Kitchen Island Ideas You'll Want to Copy
By
Farima Ferguson
Farima Ferguson
Farima Ferguson began her career at HGTV where she worked with designers to write about home design. Her work has appeared in HGTV, Insider Reviews, Travel Channel, and more.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 05/11/22
The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto
The kitchen is oftentimes the heart of the home. It's where you and your family fuel up for the day, make memories during the holidays, entertain friends and family, and celebrate life's big moments during get-togethers.
At the center of the kitchen is the kitchen island, the part of the room that provides an extra spot for meal prepping, cooking, gathering for casual meals or coffee breaks, and even extra storage space. Aside from all its practical uses, the island can also serve as a decorative focal point of the room. We've gathered our top kitchen island ideas, from big to small and simple to over-the-top to help inspire your kitchen design.
The Best Kitchen Islands for Stylish Storage
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Wide Plank Wood Island
Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
This black-painted wood island is clearly the contrasting point in this kitchen designed by Emily Henderson. The cabinets and flooring were made from reclaimed wood, and the island was made from fence boards stained in ebony. The wide planks of the island add texture and character while the black color paired with the lighter cabinets and flooring adds a modern touch to the room.
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Seamless White Kitchen Island
Alvin Wayne
This sleek kitchen island fits seamlessly in this minimalist all-white kitchen with clean lines.
The dark wood stools break up the white design and provide a place for the family to enjoy breakfast together. -
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Irregularly-Shaped Island
Amy Leferink at Interior Impressions
If you have a lot of kitchen space to work with, why not go with a unique asymmetrical island? Here, Amy Leferink of Interior Impressions made great use of this roomy kitchen with a large angled island. Irregularly shaped remnants of granite, marble and quartz are often offered at a discounted price, which could potentially help you save money.
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Chic Black and White Design
Charlie Interior Design
A kitchen island can be just as functional as it is stylish. This high-end, chic black and white island has everything you'd need, from a sink with a beautiful antique brass faucet to an open shelving for extra storage space.
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Contemporary Farmhouse Kitchen
Cathie Hong
This kitchen effortlessly combines the old with the new: The owners of this home bought their grandparents' home and kept some original elements while adding modern touches.
They opened up the kitchen with a new layout that displays the kitchen island that was updated with a coat of bright blue paint which gives an instant fresh, new look. -
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Pop of Color in an All-White Kitchen
Blue Copper Design
If you prefer a neutral kitchen design but still want some color, the kitchen island is a great way to add that pop of color. The kitchen island is oftentimes the heart of the kitchen, so painting it in a bright color from the cabinetry is an easy, budget-friendly way to help it stand out from the rest of the space.
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Embellished Island
Blue Copper Design
Color isn't the only way you can help make a kitchen island stand out. Here, Blue Copper Design added decorative accent tiles to one side of this blue kitchen island which adds just the right amount of color and visual appeal throughout the entire home.
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A Refreshing Neutral Curved Island
Design by House of Chais / Renovation by Majestic Construction Engrg
To keep with the bright and airy theme of this home, this neutral dining island boasts light wood slats and curved edges for a subtle, soft look.
The rest of the furnishings are neutral as well to add a cheery and clean vibe to the space. -
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Pretty in Pink
color_place_interior / Instagram
Old furniture can be given new life as a makeshift kitchen island with a little flipping. An easy way to give old furniture a new look is with a fresh coat of cheerful paint like this bubblegum pink color that complements the Kelly green stools.
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A Makeshift Pantry
Design by Velinda Hellen Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
If your kitchen is lacking on pantry space, a kitchen island could be a good opportunity to create a makeshift pantry to store dry goods. This kitchen design by Velinda Hellen features a stunning, spacious island with shelving to house containers of dry goods you'd normally store in a pantry. Placing frequently-used items in this area makes cooking quicker and easier and frees up space in the pantry for items you don't need on hand.
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Cool Blue Coastal Vibes
Britt Design Studio
In this coastal-inspired kitchen, the island blends in seamlessly with its light blue color that perfectly matches the light blue tile backsplash while also highlighting the white quartz countertop and rattan bar stools.
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Cozy Kitchen Design
Herzen Stimme / Instagram
A kitchen island can provide much-needed extra prep space especially in small kitchens where you have minimal countertop space. This homey kitchen features a small, farmhouse-style kitchen island for food prep and dining for two. The oversized knit throw and faux fur furnishings bring an extra cozy factor to the room.
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Beach-Inspired Design
sunshine.beach.reno / Instagram
An oversized pendant light provides plenty of lighting right above this large kitchen island featuring a beach-inspired, curved fluted design on one end that's surrounded by matching wooden stools that provides enough seating for the whole family.
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A Live Edge Bar Top
Devon Grace Interiors / Instagram
This kitchen island design by Devon Grace Interiors is the piece de resistance in this kitchen that's bold and daring, yet cozy and welcoming with its timeless black theme and distinct wooden accents of the heightened countertop and stools.
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Curved Edge
Britt Design Studio
The island is the main hub of this kitchen with a sink, shelving for keeping favorite cookbooks at hand, and low wooden stools for the family around the curved countertop.
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An Island and Dining Table in One
House 9 Interiors
To differentiate the eating area from the prep and cook station, this kitchen island features two different countertop materials. The curved wood tabletop designates the area for the family to sit and enjoy a meal together while the quartz countertop houses a glass top stove and space for food prep.
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A Spot for a Wine Break
Amy Leferink at Interior Impressions
This kitchen island houses a dining table on one end and a food prep area on the other. The best part, though? It comes with a wine cooler and wine bottle storage shelving, making it the perfect place for a wine break.
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Extra Countertop Space
Design by House of Chais / Renovation by Majestic Construction Engrg
If you have a small kitchen island but want more room for prep, you can easily extend it with a simple wood bar top like House of Chais did in this kitchen. The extended bar top can be used for food prep, a quick morning breakfast, or a place for a small gathering.
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A Spot for the Whole Family
Home Consultant
This oversized white oak kitchen island is the centerpiece of an open home layout because it works cohesively with the merged rooms. Its large size seats six people and still has plenty of room on the other side.
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An Extra Place for Food Prep
Erin Williamson Design
With so many alluring elements in this kitchen, from the stunning blue cabinetry to the black and white tile flooring, the island in this kitchen is kept simple with its open wrought iron framework and white marble top. Even though the design is simple, it's versatile enough to provide extra space and easy-access storage on the bottom shelf to keep everyday items.
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Farmhouse Charm
my.farmhouse. fanatic.life / Instagram
This kitchen features farmhouse elements from the floor to the ceiling, including the wood range hood and brick backsplash. But the charming kitchen island steals the show with its shiplap detail and rustic wood countertop.
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Island With a Curved Accent Wall
House of Chais / Instagram
What was once just a load-bearing wall that closed off the kitchen is transformed into an extra countertop space.
Since the wall is a supporting wall, it was given new life as a beautiful curved design that creates a stunning entrance into the kitchen. -
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An Island With Cabinetry
afeliashome / Instagram
Every part of this island is functional, from the large prep area to all the cabinet and drawer storage. There's even space to tuck in the bar stools so there's more room in the kitchen.
70 Kitchen Ideas So Good You'll Want To Cook Every Meal At Home
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Breakfast for Two
Design by Christina Kim / Photo by Raquel Langworthy
Even a small kitchen island can pack a lot of style and function. In this kitchen designed by Christina Kim, the simple, blue island adds character and a spot for a meal for two. The additional brass lighting fixtures illuminate the island when in use.
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A Small Yet Functional Kitchen
Design by Jessica Nelson Design / Photo by Carina Skrobecki
What was once a small, dark kitchen is now the perfect place for cooking a meal for the family and a place to entertain family and friends.
Jessica Nelson Design incorporated this island into the kitchen's design to either provide a place for dining or to display appetizers during intimate gatherings. The open leg design on the one side allows you to tuck in the chairs to maximize space in the kitchen. -
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A Show-Stopping Island
Dan Rak
This grand island is not only the show-stopping piece of the kitchen but stands out in the rest of this home with its large dimension. The rich, dark wood base creates a beautiful contrast with the white quartz countertop, while the shelving is the perfect spot to store cookbooks for future meals.
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A Plethora of Drawers
Home Consultant
You don't need a lot of cabinet space if you have a large kitchen island. This large island has plenty of drawer space to store kitchen essentials. The brass and leather drawer pulls are the perfect accent in this modern Spanish-style home.
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The Perfect Spot for a Home Office
Amy Leferink at Interior Impressions
If you work from home, the kitchen island may be the only place for a makeshift home office.
This kitchen island has everything you need to get your work done, from comfortable chairs to outlets for all your devices. (Plus, easy access to food for those much needed snack breaks.) -
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An Island With a Wine Cooler
Amy Leferink at Interior Impressions
A kitchen island with plenty of seating and countertop space is a dream, but why not take it up a notch and add a wine cooler to the mix? This stunning island features a wine cooler on the end, so whoever's in charge of cooking can easily open up a bottle while prepping food for the family.
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A Place for Preparing and Cooking Food
Amy Leferink at Interior Impressions
A family who loves to cook should have a kitchen that fits all their needs. This kitchen design combines natural elements with minimalist touches. The gray finish on the oversized island contrasts elegantly with the light oak cabinetry. The island features six gas burners, a griddle, and plenty of seating, so the whole family can help with dinner.
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A Cohesive Design
Home Consultant
To make this kitchen feel open and airy, the Home Consultant replaced the stainless steel hood above the kitchen island with white oak to match the island and add a more aesthetically pleasing look to the space.
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An Earthy Color Combo
Home Consultant
All the elements of this kitchen from the mismatched yet complementary cabinetry and island finish to the Carrara marble countertop— add an earthy, visually-appealing look to the kitchen. The wood island blends smoothly with the home's wood flooring for a natural look.
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Wood Slat Kitchen Island
Design by House of Chais / Renovation by Majestic Construction Engrg
This minimalistic kitchen island, made with natural oak wood slats and a round marble countertop is a distinctive and functional piece while keeping with the simple and sleek design of the rest of the kitchen.
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Patterned Tile Design
Blue Copper Design
A kitchen backsplash isn't the only opportunity to incorporate pattern into a kitchen. This kitchen design by Blue Copper Design features an ornate tile pattern on the kitchen island that takes center stage. The understated wine cork style stools add a captivating element without taking too much away from the patterned island.
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Pretty in Pink
House of Harvee / Instagram
If you plan on adding a custom kitchen island, then the world is your oyster. Why not add a design to the island in your favorite color? Here, House of Harvee dressed the front side of her kitchen island in pink marble tile for a one-of-a-kind look that's whimsical and bright.
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Table for Five
Design by Blakely Interior Design / Photo by Andrea Pietrangeli
With seating for five, this large kitchen island is a must-have for a big family.
You can easily get the whole family involved with cooking dinner by creating small stations for food prep along the large prep space this island provides. A great way to bond on family night! -
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A Round Island Design
M. Wilcox Design
A round design can provide a better flow in the kitchen especially if you have multiple cooks in your home. This round island allows you to easily move from one side of the kitchen to the other while adding a unique look to the space.
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Separating Two Spaces
Home Consultant
The wall in this home was opened up to allow for a seamless flow from one room to another. The oversized island is not only functional in the kitchen but is a captivating way to display load bearing beams that differentiate the two spaces while still allowing for an open floor plan.
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A Simple Addition
Dazey Den
A kitchen island isn't always about large countertop space and storage.
It can also be a cozy addition to your kitchen that gives you a spot to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning with a loved one or even an extra spot to display houseplants to add a homey feel to the kitchen. -
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Soothing Sage
Becca Interiors
If you love the clean, simple look of a neutral design but want a subtle touch of color, sage green is a great color choice. Here, Becca Interiors added a modest yet functional kitchen island in sage for some vibrance in this neutral kitchen.
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Calming Blue Hues
House of Chais / Instagram
An island isn't just meant for the kitchen. An island in a home bar provides a spot to enjoy a Champagne brunch or a delicious breakfast. The curves of this soft blue fluted island are carried through to the arched brass and rattan wall shelving for a coordinated look.
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Creating Different Work Zones
Home Consultant
To create different work zones in the kitchen, the range was placed at the end of this kitchen island.
This allows for food prepping, cooking, and washing dishes to have their own space to create a better flow, so multiple people can be in the kitchen at once. -
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Fluted in Teal
Design by kandhdesignltd / Photo by Paul Raeside
This tiny but mighty kitchen island is the star of the kitchen with its teal green fluted base and matching countertop. The dark, moody color works well in this kitchen because it features large windows that allow plenty of natural light in.
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A Subtle Touch
Finding Lovely
Not only is a patterned tile design on the island a creative addition, but it's easier to clean dirt and grime that may build up over time. In this kitchen, Finding Lovely was inspired by a restaurant's tile design and implemented similar tile work into her kitchen island's design.
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A Stunning Multipurpose Island
Home Consultant
This honed travertine island serves multiple purposes in this minimalistic home.
Not only does it serve as an island for food prep and a buffet bar, but it also serves as the dining room sideboard and a stunning centerpiece of these two areas of the home. -
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Two Islands Is Better Than One
Dan Rak
What's better than one kitchen island? Two. This kitchen designed by Dan Rak features two wooden kitchen islands with marble countertops— both serve as a place to prep food while one also includes seating for breakfast or a coffee break.
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Industrial Style Accents
themddesignco / Instagram
This nature-inspired kitchen features subtle nods to industrial style with a kitchen island with metal legs and metal bar stools that add color and texture to the otherwise neutral design.
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An Open and Airy Look
Home Consultant
If a kitchen is small in size, an island can overcrowd it. To bring in more countertop and storage space without cluttering this cozy kitchen, Home Consultant added a custom island with open shelving that allows the kitchen to still feel open and airy.
The combination of white oak wood and stone countertops creates the perfect balance of the natural elements. -
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A Two-Tiered Island
Design by Grey Hunt Interiors; Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg; Build by sun_design_inc
This two-tiered island provides the perfect heights for each purpose of a kitchen island. The lower height is great for food prep while the higher L-shaped level is at the perfect height to sit on bar stools to enjoy a meal.
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Contrasting Materials
corinnelson / Instagram
The island in this cozy kitchen creates a beautiful contrast with the white cabinetry. The end of the island features a wood accent that separates the eating area from the food prep area.
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Little Black Island
Design by Domm Dot Com / Photo by Tyler Hooks
All the sleek black details in this kitchen, from the pantry door to the bottom cabinetry and kitchen island, are instantly warmed up with the wooden countertop on the kitchen island.
Bright bar stool cushions create a striking contrast and tie the white cabinetry into the space. -
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Waterfall Marble Design
Alvin Wayne
This kitchen island is small in size but looks grand because of the waterfall countertop design. This design element brightens up the kitchen nook while adding a one-of-a-kind detail. Gold metal bar stools add a glam look to the kitchen.
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Keeping It Classic
Design by AE Designs / Photo by Madeline Tolle
The natural wood elements in this kitchen instantly warm up the space, from the large wood island to the wood trim on the range hood. Rattan chairs enhance the nature-inspired look of this kitchen while the antique brass pendant lights add texture and color.
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Sleek Wood Bar Top
Design by AE Designs / Photo by Madeline Tolle
A wood bar top separates the seating area from the food prep area on this sleek kitchen island.
The earthy tones bring a neutral contemporary look to the kitchen designed by AE Designs. -
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Repurposed Furniture
Gold a la Mode
If you need that extra countertop space in your kitchen but don't have the budget for one, don't forget to look for old furniture pieces online or at garage sales. Even the most simple furniture pieces can be repurposed into an island for the kitchen.
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Warm Woven Accents
Home Consultant
The sleek matte black kitchen island and cabinetry are modern and simple but warmed up with natural textured elements. The woven stools and wood flooring brings warmth and coziness that make the kitchen feel more inviting.
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An Antique Addition
Madison Clevenstine
Antique furniture is a great makeshift kitchen island option when on a budget. This antique white table adds an elegant touch and is at the perfect height to make meal prep easier.
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Nautical Design
Maite Granda
The kitchen design by Maite Granda in this beach house features several nautical elements from the natural wood furniture to the rope pendant lighting above the kitchen island. The island itself blends with the nautical theme with its blue-and-white color palette— the colors you typically see in beach-inspired designs.
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Tangerine and Copper Combo
Mary Patton Design
We don't know what we love more in this kitchen— the copper tile backsplash that contrasts beautifully with the sleek black cabinetry or the bold orange kitchen island. Either way, everything in this kitchen lends a high— end feel to the kitchen.
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Rustic and Practical
grainonthebrain / Instagram
A kitchen island is simple to build as long as you have wood scraps and basic DIY skills. The benefit of creating your own is making it fit your exact needs.
This rustic-style wood island includes a bottom shelf for storage and a towel rod to keep kitchen towels at hand. 19 Free DIY Kitchen Island Plans
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Going for the Gold
jhkitchencabinetsltd.gta / Instagram
For a dramatic effect, gold-and-white colored stainless steel hexagon tiles were installed throughout the kitchen backsplash and carried over to the island that's accented with a wood trim and white marble countertop.
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Festive Lighting
_sumai_home_ / Instagram
To add pizzazz to their kitchen island, _sumai_home_ installed a color-changing lighting system to illuminate underneath their kitchen island. The flashing lights are great to have up year-round, but they especially add an extra festive touch around the holidays.
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64 Stunning Kitchen Island Ideas
Bright Ideas
Bring on the prep space
By Kristi Kellogg and Colleen Egan
If you're dreaming of a renovation and kitchen island ideas keep popping up in your head, we don't blame you. The way we see it, the kitchen island is the real MVP of the home. From cooking prep to casual dining to storage, these workhorses do it all (and add an architectural focal point). We've gathered 64 of the best kitchen island ideas in a variety of styles. Find inspiration for your future remodeling project in these stunning kitchens by top architects and designers. Whether you dream of creating a spot for nightly homework, gourmet meals, or morning coffee, a practical and beautiful island will be the most used area in the house.
Photo: Pieter Estersohn
Add Stools
In the kitchen of designer Ray Booth and television executive John Shea’s Nashville home, Roman Thomas pendant lights are installed above the Booth-designed island, Ann Sacks tile was used for the backsplash, the sink fittings are by Kohler, and the stools are by BDDW.
Photo: Pieter Estersohn
Install a Waterfall Island
Painted in a Benjamin Moore white, the kitchen of a Nova Scotia home designed by Alexander Gorlin is centered by an island clad in Caesarstone; the stools are by Gus Modern.
Photo: Douglas Friedman
Mix Marble and Metal
The kitchen of Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent’s former New York apartment is outfitted with cabinetry and butcher-block countertops by Fanuka; the island is clad in unlacquered brass and topped with Breccia Imperiale marble from Artistic Tile. The marble shelves rest on brackets from Liz’s Antique Hardware; the subway tile is from Home Depot, the painting of Saint Peter is an 18th-century work from Peru, and the barstools are vintage American.
Photo: Simon Upton
Make an Impact With Mirrored Surfaces
The symphony of reflective surfaces in the kitchen of a Manhattan penthouse by Jean-Louis Deniot includes the polished stainless-steel panels on the Deniot-designed island, a Guy de Rougemont free-form chrome-top table, and metallic wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries.
The circular artwork is by Astrid Krogh, and the vintage swivel chairs are by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand.Photo: William Waldron
Go for the Gold
The centerpiece of designer Jamie Drake’s New York kitchen is a custom-made island comprising cabinetry finished in gold leaf by the Alpha Workshops and an overlapping table in Corian with gold inlay; the pendant lights are by Drake, the counter stools are by the Bright Group, and the tabletop sculpture is by Reinaldo Sanguino.
Photo: Roger Davies
Add Country Charm
At Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen's former Los Angeles home, designed by architect Richard Landry and decorator Joan Behnke, antique Tunisian tile from Exquisite Surfaces makes a lively backsplash in the kitchen, which is appointed with Formations pendant lights, marble countertops from Compas Architectural Stone, custom-made alder cabinetry, an oak island, and a Wolf range.
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Photo: Simon Watson
Use Warm Woods
At the Umbrian estate of architect Benedikt Bolza and his family, the kitchen’s massive oak-top island features sink fittings by KWC.
Photo: William Waldron
Make It Massive
This townhouse in New York’s Greenwich Village, designed by Leroy Street Studio architects and decorated by Christine Markatos Lowe, features a massive island that spans the kitchen.
Photo: Michael Moran
Create Contrast With White
The sleek island in this Shelton, Mindel & Assoc.–designed Hamptons kitchen is paired with Jean Prouvé barstools.
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Photo: Andrew Twort
Mix Black and White
The kitchen in this house near Tel Aviv—renovated by homeowner Joshua Kastiel and architect Alex Meitlis—features a black-lacquered Corian-topped island.
Photo: Pieter Estersohn
Center It in the Space
At a Southampton, New York, retreat renovated by interior designer David Netto and architect David Hottenroth, pendant lights by Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co. illuminate the island, which is paired with BassamFellows tractor stools from Design Within Reach.
Photo: Richard Powers
Combine Seating and Storage
In the kitchen of an Aspen, Colorado, home designed by Shawn Henderson, a vintage Louis Poulsen pendant light from Lost City Arts hangs above a Caesarstone-top island and Orange Furniture barstools upholstered in an Edelman leather; the hood is by Bulthaup, the cabinetry is by Studio B, the ovens are by Gaggenau, and the sink fittings are by Dornbracht.
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Photo: Björn Wallander
Add Standout Stools
The kitchen of a Martha’s Vineyard home designed by Ariel Ashe and Reinaldo Leandro features an island illuminated by minimalist pendant lights by Davide Groppi; the barstools are by Garza Marfa.
Photo: Nikolas Koenig
Incorporate Appliances
Design duo Dufner Heighes chose marble surfaces in this Manhattan penthouse kitchen, which complement Bulthaup cabinetry. The space is equipped with Miele wall ovens, a Gaggenau cooktop, Dornbracht sink fittings, and a Sub-Zero wine refrigerator; the Suite NY stools are clad in a Holland & Sherry fabric.
Photo: Eric Piasecki
Pair With a Table
The kitchen of a Bridgehampton, New York, home designed by Steven Gambrel has plenty of surfaces for prep, including an island and a Gambrel-designed table.
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Photo: Pieter Estersohn
Bring In Shining Surfaces
Sleek ebonized-oak cabinetry, matching flooring, a gleaming island, and black granite counters lend a moody elegance to the revamped kitchen in this Aspen, Colorado, home decorated by Stonefox Architects.
Photo: Miguel Flores-Vianna
Mix Drawers and Shelves
The kitchen of a Long Island home renovated by designer Daniel Sachs and architect Kevin Lindores includes 1920s American pendant lights over the island and a bespoke copper hood; the range is by Bertazzoni, and the cabinetry at far right is painted in Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue.
Photo: Anthony Cotsifas
Make It Minimalist
Single slabs of Carrara marble and Basaltina top the kitchen counter and island in a Manhattan apartment designed by John Pawson.
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Keep Dishes Right at Hand
In a 1930s Palm Beach house refreshed by designer Jacques Grange, Portuguese tiles pave the kitchen, and the island displays a collection of dishes. The vibrant range is by Officine Gullo.
Photo: Douglas Friedman
Brighten Up With Pendant Lights
In the New York apartment of Naomi Watts, pendant lights by the Lamp Goods hang over the kitchen island. The space has a checkerboard concrete-tile floor, and the apartment's designers, Ashe + Leandro, devised the cabinetry and hood.
Match the Cabinetry
Pops of metal from a Wolf range, a Waterworks faucet, and vintage Poul Henningsen suspension lamps complement Imperial Danby marble and custom millwork in the kitchen of Charlotte Ronson and Nate Ruess, which was designed by Paul Fortune and Gachot Studios.
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Photo: Richard Powers
Keep It Slim
A midcentury light fixture by Gio Ponti is positioned above a Boffi breakfast bar and stools from Design Within Reach in the kitchen of a London rowhouse decorated by Veere Grenney.
Add Storage Above
In the kitchen of Julianna Margulies's New York apartment, specially crafted steel shelves are suspended above the island and a pair of barstools from Design Within Reach; the backsplash is reverse-painted glass, the range and hood are by Viking, and the sink is by Blanco, with fittings by Grohe.
Go for a Custom Design
The massive kitchen island in the home of Alexandre de Betak and his wife, Sofía Sanchez de Betak, was made to Alexandre’s exacting specifications. The sink fittings are by Chicago Faucets, and the barstools are by Étienne Fermigier.
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Photo: William Waldron
Bring In Color
In a Manhattan townhouse, designer Jeffrey Bilhuber painted the base of a kitchen island in a deep red to contrast with the otherwise white kitchen.
Photo: Thomas Loof
Incorporate Open Shelving
Don't forget the ends of the island, where a few shallow shelves can house anything from your prized pottery to your dog-eared cookbooks.
This Houston kitchen by Miles Redd is outfitted with subway tile and a Wolf range.Light It Up
This gorgeous kitchen island features built-in, under-counter lighting that amplifies the entire space.
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Add a Sink
Adding a sink to your kitchen island is a great upgrade, as seen here in Shay Mitchell's home in Los Angeles.
Add Pops of Color
Adding in bold dashes of color can make your space come alive. We love how the cutout in the island, the accent wall, and the faucet are all exact-match red.
Keep It Classic
Willy Rizzo stools line the classic white-on-white island in Inga Rubenstein's elegant Manhattan kitchen.
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Think Outside the Box
This kitchen island in pro skateboarder Nyjah Huston's Laguna Beach home does double duty—half is a prep surface and half is a curved booth.
Less Can Be More
This colorful kitchen island is slim and simple, which is a perfect combination for a kitchen that's on the smaller side. It gets the job done without taking up too much real estate.
DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC
Bring On the Color
This stunning kitchen—complete with a fuchsia island topped with marble—proves you can make any color combination work.
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Photo by Zio and Sons
Take a Cue From Other Surfaces in the House
The Danby marble on the countertops and island in this kitchen are used throughout the entire home.
Make the Island a Focal Point
The open kitchen is accented with Bocci light sculptures, ceramics by Sonia Pedrazzini, chairs by Modh, and a standout double-tiered kitchen island.
Go for a Butcher Block Countertop
Maximize your counter space with an entire island made of butcher block, as seen in this midcentury kitchen.
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Keep It Simple and Streamlined
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's Los Angeles compound has been described as a “futuristic Belgian monastery." The entire house—right down to the kitchen island—is a study in minimalism.
Photo: Simon Watson
Go Sleek and Contemporary
This kitchen island strengthens the sleek, contemporary vibes in decorator Isabel López-Quesada's crisp Madrid kitchen.
Incorporate Organic Elements
Why not use your kitchen island to showcase organic materials? This black walnut piece (from 3 Dot Design) was kiln-dried and milled to look like a live edge, then finished with five coats of topcoat to prevent watermarks and mitigate wear and tear.
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Photo: Björn Wallander
Add an Extra Kitchen Island
Why limit yourself to one kitchen island when you can have two? We're seeing double in this Rockwell Group–designed Manhattan penthouse’s kitchen, and we're here for it.
Jaime Ardiles-Arce
Use a Console Table for Your Kitchen Island
There are plenty of alternatives to the standard cabinets-and-stone-slab combo. Take a console table, for example. Architect Joseph Pell Lombardi restored Château du Sailhant in central France. The 19th-century kitchen boasts period copper cookware, kerosene lamps, and for the kitchen island? A narrow wooden table topped with two stone cutting boards.
Photo: Acocella Photography for Brian Milton, Compass
Islands Aren't
Just for KitchensThis striking wood island isn't in the kitchen at all, but instead in the great room of golf champion Brad Richards's Connecticut mansion with a gorgeous view of the Long Island Sound.
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Lois GoBe
Put It On Wheels
A rolling island like this one makes it easy to rearrange your space in seconds.
Photo: William Waldron
Keep It Sleek
Take a cue from Will Ferrell’s Manhattan loft and keep the space sleek, glossy, and modern.
Pieter Estersohn
Use Natural Wood
In a Brooklyn brownstone decorated by Nick Olsen, the leather-upholstered dining chairs and cherry red light fixture are a perfect complement to the natural wood on the kitchen island.
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Photo: Björn Wallander
Cover It in Marble
The kitchen of decorator Pedro Espírito Santo’s home in Lisbon, features a marble island with a cooktop and a 19th-century Italian porcelain figure.
Substitute a Dining Table for the Island
Are you sure you even need a kitchen island? You could swap it for a table—which gives you a prep surface and dining area simultaneously.
Play With Angles
This perpendicular kitchen island shows that the standard rectangle is just one way to lay out your kitchen island.
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Simon Upton
Add a Chrome Top
The chrome top on this kitchen island really modernizes the entire room.
The deep blue paint on the base also adds a richness to the otherwise light and airy kitchen. Photo: Oberto Gili
Go Country Chic
Adding a Colefax and Fowler checkered curtain to the island in this kitchen lends the space a country chic feel we can't get enough of.
Photo: Anthony Cotsifas
Make a Statement
One of the boldest kitchen island ideas on this list, this red stunner makes a major statement, and fits right in with the red lacquer on the kitchen cabinets.
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Photo: Luke White
Mix Red and Blue
For John and Christine McSwaney’s 16th-century manor in the English countryside, designer Mark Gillette made use of classic shades of blue and incorporated a red kitchen island.
Photo: Nikolas Koenig
Use Your Island as a Real Table
Why pull up a few stools to your island when you can set up a full double-sided table? The kitchen of a house in the California desert, designed by Emily Summers Design Associates, features Bulthaup cabinetry and a KWC faucet; the Bertoia counter stools are by Knoll.
NelleG
Think About Seating in a Different Way
Who says you have to have your stools in one row along the counter? Why not place them at the ends of your kitchen island instead?
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Justin Paget
Attach a Table
You can attach a table right to your island, giving you more floor space and keeping the cooking area closely aligned with the eating area.
Ryan McVay
Add Barstools
Sleek barstools and a streamlined kitchen island on wheels fit beautifully in this small but open floor plan.
Frank Schwere
Stretch It Out
Most kitchen islands fit two to four stools. If you have the space, however, you can double the length of the island and the amount of seating.
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Channel Coastal Energy With a Blue Island and Cabinetry
This blue kitchen island takes the place of a conference table inside the headquarters of LuckyChap Entertainment, Margot Robbie’s production company.
The space exudes coastal vibes thanks to the blue cabinetry, Restoration Hardware pendants, white Big Chill appliances, and cushy striped Wayfair stools.©simon upton
Try an Antique Table
There's no limit to what kind of table you can use as your kitchen island. Here, a 19th-century French silk trader’s table is used.
Douglas Friedman
Use Wood and Brass for a Rustic Feel
This wood-topped kitchen island, lined with Blackman Cruz barstools, features a custom brass island base—it's the perfect fit for this rustic lake house owned by Instagram cofounder Kevin Systrom.
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Photo: Dina Avila
Use Wood
This 1960s Portland A-frame uses formaldehyde-free plywood for its surfaces, including the kitchen island.
Photo: William Waldron
Mix White and Marble
Marble countertops and white cabinetry: a combination that always works.
So fresh and clean!Bulgac
Brighten Things Up With Orange Lacquer
Looking for unique and bright kitchen island ideas? Then consider a bold-hued option like this one.
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Andreas von Einsiedel
Less Can Be More
Bigger isn't always better. The best kitchen island ideas suit your space and your vibes, like this compact butcher-block-topped island with green hydrangeas in a North London home.
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Read More30 great designs
If you love cooking and catering, you must be dreaming of a kitchen with an island, or even planning to get one. The island is a kitchen unit that is not installed against the wall, but in the middle of the room. And it can be just a work surface, a storage place, equipped with a sink, appliances and any retractable structures. As a rule, there is nothing above the island except lamps and maybe a hood, but still, situations are different, and everyone has their own idea of a dream kitchen.
We've put together a selection to inspire you with an island kitchen. It seems to many that the island is only for very large and expensive kitchens, that it takes up a lot of space, looks heavy and ugly, it is of little use - only inconvenience. We hope you will see that the island is comfortable, beautiful and functional if you choose the option that suits you.
1. Very long island
Let's start with a really luxurious option that will fit only in a large house. And yet how convenient it is when the work surface and the dining table are combined into one.
Photo: trend4homy.com
decoration in the kitchen.
Photo: sakhtemanchi.com
3. Country-style island
The most popular material for kitchens and islands is wood. We advise choosing a contrasting shade or texture to zone the kitchen.
Photo: buildehome.
com
4. Double island
The owners of this kitchen emphasized the difference between a breakfast table and a worktop with different countertops. Indeed, eating at a wooden table is much more pleasant.
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Photo: homeawakening.com
5. Square island
It is generally accepted that the island should be rectangular. We will dispel this myth and start with a square shape - all the plates will fit on such a table and there will still be room for decor in the center.
Photo: dicasdecor.com
6. Storage island
A kitchen island has many advantages and functions. For example, it is simply created for open shelves where you can store decor, dishes, books and products.
Photo: homelifetranquility.
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7. An island with a hood
And here is an unusual idea with a hood in the middle of the room above the island. Shelves can also be attached to it, the contents of which should be attractive, because it will be visible from afar. An excellent industrial version of the 3D design project.
Photo: desidees.net
8. Round island
Yes, the island can have any shape, including an irregular one, especially if a rectangle or square does not fit in your kitchen. The fewer sharp corners, the less chance of accidentally hitting them.
Photo: shapemasters.info
9. Tiered Island
A very practical and correct idea is to cook on one level and raise the dining area so that dirt and water do not get on it. This makes it easier to keep clean and comfortable.
Photo: sweetyhomee.com
10. Island on wheels
Yes, in a small kitchen there is not always room for an island.
So just move it aside! The island on wheels can be of any size, even very large, and then it can either be rolled out of the room, or simply pushed against the wall.
Photo: thespruce.com
11. Very small island
And no one says that the island should be huge. To make coffee or cut cheese, you need a little space, and this place may well be in the middle of the kitchen.
Photo: pendalandneille.com
12. Island - dining table
It is believed that the kitchen island can not be the main dining table in the house, but today we are destroying stereotypes!
Photo: sunshineinnwellington.com
13. Multifunctional island
Know that an island takes up space for a reason. It can store a lot of useful things - all kitchen utensils.
Photo: homishome.com
14. Pet island
Cat and dog bowls are often scattered throughout the kitchen, get in the way and just look unattractive.
The owners of this kitchen found a simple and elegant solution.
Photo: mattrevors.com
15. Island by the window
We also used to think that the island should always be in the middle of the room, otherwise it is not an island. But what about good natural light? Put the island closer to the window, it will be more convenient.
Photo: spirossoulis.com
16. Table island
If you don't like a heavy island full of boxes and appliances, you can use just a large and high table instead. Behind him you can sit on bar stools, or you can cook dinner with the whole family.
Photo: morrison6.com
17. Island with legs
A heavy and massive island is not a prerequisite, it can be on legs and still have roomy storage boxes.
Photo: devolkitchens.co.uk
18. Narrow island
Perhaps this narrow island will fit a little, but you can turn it into a bar counter, a place for snacks and buffets.
Photo: thevanitywarehouse.com
19. Metal island
Wood is the main material for creating kitchens, but the island can also be made of metal. It looks unusual and catches the eye from a distance.
Photo: gaiasoil.com
20. Bright island
Remember that the island is not hidden, it should be a feature of the kitchen, its main decoration and even an art object. Therefore, it can be painted in a contrasting or just an unexpected shade.
Photo: decoralia.es
21. Hanging island
Part of the island can protrude, as in this photo, without taking up space on the floor and be convenient for feasts.
Photo: mobykan.com
22. Monolithic island
And how do you like this solid block of concrete, on which there are no traces of seams and fasteners? Looks like a sculpture in the kitchen.
Photo: rushiwork.
oss-cn-beijing.aliyuncs.com
23. An island without corners
Designers will always find a solution for you that no one has seen yet. Here, for example, there is not a single corner. Not a single opportunity to hit and scratch.
Photo: cdn.home-designing.com
24. Sparkling Island
Use trends to highlight the originality of your kitchen. This original leg sparkles with a brass sheen and turns the island into an interior decoration.
Photo: img.mediacentrum.sk
25. Levitating Island
It's great that the dining area of this island has no legs! It is very comfortable to sit behind it, and the interior seems light and airy, although such a block weighs a lot.
Photo: eclectictrends.com
26. The island is a complete kitchen
Usually the island is an addition to the kitchen, which is placed against the wall.
But if you have a large kitchen area, the entire kitchen set can be an island.
Photo: autoayudalibros.com
27. Mirror Island
If the island reflects all the objects around, it seems to dissolve in the air.
Photo: insidecreations.nl
28. Round island
Yes, an island can be round! It will be especially interesting if you combine this circle in the interior with lamps, prints and decor.
Photo: designaddicts.com.au
29. Island made of tiles
You can design and decorate the island in any way, because the usual rules for the kitchen do not work here. For example, ceramic tiling is a great technique.
Photo: images.adsttc.com
30. An island with built-in seating
An island is a table, a work surface, a container for kitchen utensils, and it can also be a sofa. The photo shows just such an option.
Photo: solebich.de
Kitchen island Photo ideas in a gallery of 60 shots
Use the space above the island for a stylish range hood
According to some studies, more than 70 percent of homeowners want a kitchen island, and 50 percent consider it a must. Kitchen islands perform different tasks. In addition to being the focal point of interiors, they increase the efficiency and functionality of the space.
Think about what design will be the most advantageous for your kitchen, what specific elements of the island you need. Its design may include additional seats or storage space, use it as a dining table or bar counter.
General recommendation for owners of closed kitchens: install the island in the center of the room. So it will be provided with full access from all sides. Leave a gap of at least 1 meter between the edges of the island and the surrounding cabinets and equipment, so that there is enough space for free movement in the kitchen.
