Farmhouse kitchen island with storage


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(Image credit: John Lewis of Hungerford)

Once a modern status symbol, the farmhouse kitchen island unit is now widely regarded as one of the most useful features you can have in any kitchen. In farmhouse kitchens, they are fast replacing the traditional cook’s table; still providing a similar social role, but with surfaces at a more comfortable height for prepping. 

Make kitchen island ideas a part of your farmhouse kitchen planning from the start. The best farmhouse kitchen islands are carefully located to ease traffic flow through the space, rather than creating a barrier, and, with seating included, will help secure the kitchen as the natural hub of your country home. 

Farmhouse kitchen island ideas

Farmhouse kitchen island ideas can come in many shapes and forms, but all have an easy informality and characterful look that's imprinted into the DNA of farmhouse style. 

‘To maintain an authentic farmhouse style, we like to design kitchen islands that look like freestanding pieces of furniture, topped with natural surfaces such as solid stone or a chunky butcher’s block,’ says Richard Davonport, managing director of bespoke luxury kitchen maker, Davonport .

We've asked the experts to share their farmhouse kitchen island ideas and tips for designing a kitchen island so you can integrate them into your own farmhouse decor ideas and create the perfect rustic cookspace.

1. Be inventive with repurposed furniture

(Image credit: Sabbe Interior Design / Paige Rumore Messina)

A farmhouse kitchen island doesn't actually need to be, well, a farmhouse kitchen island. In the farmhouse style, there's an authenticity and charm that comes from rescuing and upcycling vintage furniture and giving it new life and purpose, perfect for anyone who loves freestanding kitchen ideas.

'Something old/something new is definitely my formula for kitchens. Whether vintage lanterns, an antique cupboard, or in this case, a repurposed woodshop workbench,' says Stephanie Sabbe, founder of Boston-based Sabbe Interior Design . 

'This piece gives the space so much life and history that this kitchen can not be duplicated, which is also one of my main goals in design. '

This is a great approach for country kitchen island ideas, too.

2. Be inspired by traditional shopfittings

(Image credit: deVol)

Traditional Mom and Pop stores and shop cabinets inspire the handcrafted oak Haberdashery kitchen from deVOL .

This takes farmhouse kitchen island ideas away from conventional block-style units, with a basin or integrated appliances. Instead, the island becomes about organizing a kitchen and displaying chinaware and kitchen accessories. The island has a more open design, which brings a lightness to the kitchen overall, while offering plenty of kitchen island storage ideas.

You can replicate the look by repurposing a vintage display piece or shelving unit, adding a countertop to create a bespoke farmhouse kitchen island idea. 

When you're buying a freestanding piece to introduce your kitchen, consider how it will deliver on your kitchen island storage ideas and be sure it has the necessary compartments and cabinet space you need.

3. Add task lighting with pendants

(Image credit: John Lewis of Hungerford)

When you're planning your kitchen lighting ideas, a duo or trio of pendant lights along the length will be a great addition to your farmhouse kitchen island ideas, creating both a focal point and essential illumination. You could match the finish of the shade to your hardware for a seamlessly coordinated look, or create standout with a contrast material or color.

Marketa Rypacek, Managing Director at Industville , has these suggestions for kitchen island lighting ideas.

'Look at the areas of your kitchen and think about the activities that will happen in each space. Some spaces, such as food preparation zones, the kitchen sink and above the hob, will require task lighting, while others, such as the dining area, call for mood and accent lighting,' she says.

'Hanging pendant lights above an island is a great way to create a statement in your kitchen. Not only are pendant lights attractive, but they also provide functionality for tasks such as reading recipes and food preparation. '

4. Consider the scale of your farmhouse island

(Image credit: John Lewis of Hungerford)

The size of your farmhouse kitchen island should fit the scale of your kitchen. Choosing the right size kitchen island isn't just about practicality, although you'll need clearance all around the island in order to move around your kitchen and open drawers, cabinets and appliance doors. It's also about the look of the space.

A kitchen island can be a substantial piece that creates the centerpiece of your kitchen, but it should still connect visually with the room around it. In this kitchen from John Lewis of Hungerford , the size and shape of the kitchen island echoes that of the Aga range cooker behind it, giving the overall kitchen design a sense of balance.

'While this is a large island, it works perfectly in the space and is really well zoned within the room,' explains Rebecca Nokes, Head of Design & Brand Creative, John Lewis of Hungerford. 'There’s lots of the room between the Aga and the other cabinetry; an island such as this offers an excellent touch point which isn’t too big or too small. '

5. Make it an island of two halves

(Image credit: John Lewis of Hungerford)

This half-and-half island from John Lewis of Hungerford combines a working side with integrated sink and appliances, with a side designed for sitting, eating and conversation. 

It's the ideal combination when you want a social kitchen space that doesn't leave the cook isolated. And it also means the more attractive side, with open shelves for display, faces outwards to the room.

'The island is a spin between both classic and contemporary,' says Rebecca Nokes, Head of Design & Brand Creative. 'The pot ends are a very traditional style for kitchen islands but we’ve matched them with the simple, contemporary handles and a sleek tap, and it’s been topped with honed granite. 

'Honed granite is more a contemporary look than traditional polished granite. It gives the best of both worlds for someone who likes the classic look Shaker kitchen ideas, with some contemporary touches. '

6. Use a farmhouse island to color block

(Image credit: Tom Howley)

Make your farmhouse kitchen island stand out from the rest of the space by giving it a different color. Island paint color ideas are a lovely way of injecting bolder shades if you prefer to stick to more neutral tones on the remainder of your kitchen cabinetry.

If you don't want to mess with your painted kitchen ideas color scheme too much, another great way to dip your toe in the trend is to paint your farmhouse kitchen island a lighter shade for brightness, or a darker one for intensity.

7. Make a curved bar space

(Image credit: Tom Howley)

If you love to entertain guests, then a curved kitchen island could be a feature you didn't know you needed.

'The rounded nature isn't typically like the other kitchen islands found in homes, so this instantly makes it more interesting – plus it's super practical for dishing up dinner or serving drinks to those seated around it,' says Editor of Homes &Gardens, Lucy Searle.  

We love this alternative take on traditional breakfast bar ideas.

(Image credit: Neptune/Daniel Boden-Wilson)

When it comes to kitchen sink ideas, a butler or Belfast sink is a popular choice for adding to that countryside aesthetic, and some people choose their kitchen island as the spot to house this rustic feature.

This design means you can face anyone who might be sitting or standing at your island, making it a sociable design tactic.

9. Shine a light on it

(Image credit: Future/David Cleveland)

Coming up with strong farmhouse kitchen lighting ideas is just as important as the feature itself. After all, what's the point of investing time and money in a kitchen island if you're not going to show it off in all its glory?

There are so many options to choose from, too, from linear varieties and modern statement pieces to spotlight lamps and industrial-style hanging bulbs.

'All too often with a kitchen, the lighting is an afterthought but it should be considered and research carried out at the initial planning stage,' says Marketa Rypacek from Industville. 'Don’t wait until after cabinetry and appliances are place as the position of the lights may affect where sockets and cables are placed and it’s much harder to alter these things further down the line.'

10. House the hob

(Image credit: Future/Brent Darby)

In many ways, a kitchen island is the social hub of the room, where everybody tends to congregate. 

This means it's great for housing a hob, as hosts can face their guests whilst entertaining. It also offers enough worktop space for food to be prepped pre and post-cooking.

From ovens and wine fridges to warming drawers and hobs, installing appliances into your kitchen island is a great way to make the most of your kitchen space and allows you to use the rest of your kitchen for cabinetry to keep your space functional and neat and tidy.

11. Stand out with stone

(Image credit: Gerald Culliford)

Island countertop ideas can be adventurous, even in a farmhouse kitchen. Seriously striking stone doesn’t need to cover every surface to make a statement – allowing you to invest a little more on something truly special, like this Terra Bianca Satinato Marble by Cullifords .  

In fact, many designers recommend switching up the worktop on an island as a way to help it stand out as a freestanding piece of furniture, lending farmhouse-style kitchens a relaxed ‘unfitted’ feel.

If marble isn't the look you want, you could consider, stone, wood or a composite material for your kitchen countertop ideas.

12. Split levels

(Image credit: Harvery Jones/Darren Chung)

Kitchen island seating ideas that allows for dining at table height is undoubtedly more comfortable than when perched on bar stools, so if you don’t have a separate dining table consider a split-level island. This clever design uses a change in worktop to clearly mark the cooking and eating zones. 

Providing ample leg room is an important comfort factor when sitting for prolonged periods – aim for an overhang of at least 30cm. 

13. Create a cook's table

(Image credit: Plain English)

Styled on the traditional chef's kitchen, the kitchen table typically found at the heart of farmhouse kitchens makes for a wonderful long-legged portable kitchen island. This one from Plain English is perfect for baking and food prep. In island form, the drawers are deeper than an actual cook’s table, so there’s no need to compromise on storage. 

Lifting the island off the floor is also a well-recognized design technique for making a kitchen feel more spacious. Table style islands aren’t usually suitable for sink installations but the electrics for a hob can be hidden inside a leg if required.

14. Find a flow

(Image credit: Searle and Taylor/Paul Craig)

‘Planning a curved island unit within a rectangle or square room is a real joy. Curves not only introduce a safety aspect with fewer sharp corners, but a softer design aesthetic, too,’ says Darren Taylor, managing director, Searle & Taylor . 

‘This kitchen features a lot of straight lines, especially because of the stunning beams, so we added curves to provide contrast. Seating around a circular table allows for a more sociable dining experience and we designed the breakfast bar as a raised area so that three people could sit round it comfortably.

'This was also designed at a height where they can look directly out through the windows to the lovely countryside beyond.’

15. Start small

(Image credit: Caesarstone)

An island doesn’t have to be huge to prove a valuable asset. If space is tight, you’re not ready to commit or you just want flexibility, a freestanding unit could be the answer. It's a good move to keep your island compact when you're working with small cottage kitchen ideas.

This vintage-style piece in the home of fashion writer Louise Roe was made from the same reclaimed floorboards as the flooring below to achieve design cohesion with an element of relaxed imperfection. 

The above London Grey quartz worktops are by Caesarstone , whereas the cabinets are from British Standard , with Louise Roe behind the design.

(Image credit: Davonport)

If you’re for an open-plan kitchen and have unavoidable structural joists to navigate around, an island unit can play a big role in maintaining easy traffic flow through the space.  

‘The island in this kitchen has been designed around the large pillar in the centre of the room, creating additional space for food preparation and storage, whilst allowing the Aga range oven to remain the focal point.' 

'Without the island, the pillar would have been far more obstructive and visually dominating,’ explains Richard Davonport, managing director, Davonport. The above design is the Tillingham kitchen by the brand.

17. Zone the surfaces

(Image credit: DeVOL)

Switching up the surfaces can prevent a long island from appearing bland and monolithic. It’s also a popular way to zone different uses, in this case copper defines the breakfast bar/social end, while marble demarks cooking and cleaning. 

When connecting two materials it is essential to get a neat joint to avoid creating a dirt trap – request a line of silicone if there’s a water source close by. Alternatively, make a feature of the divide by going chunkier with one surface to create a purposeful step.  

18. Include a corner bar

(Image credit: Laura Marin/ Extreme Design)

Positioning bar stools at right angles aids better eye-contact for conversation compared to a lining stools up in rows – a trick the pros use when creating kitchens for entertaining.

This chunky timber corner bar puts the chef center of attention for a sociable cooking space with ample room for four guests. Raising the breakfast bar is a great safety feature when including a hob within an island, especially for children. 

19. Create a display

(Image credit: Darren Chung for Kitchen Architecture)

A mix of open and glazed shelving lends lightness to this impressive 4m-long island. ‘It’s important to consider how an island looks from all angles, especially if it’s taking up a large footprint,’ says Pierce Coyne, design manager, Kitchen Architecture . 

‘In this 18th century farmhouse, the front of the island is the first thing you see when entering from the garden. The owners wanted shelving to create attractive displays. Using bleached oak inside also links nicely with the exposed oak beams.’ 

If this handy clutter-free solution has caught your attention, our kitchen storage ideas should be right up your street.

20. Mimic traditional furniture

(Image credit: Artisans of Devizes)

Modelling your island on a more traditional piece of furniture can feel more in keeping in a farmhouse setting. The balanced design of this island unit mimics the symmetry of a robust sideboard, complete with pot rack style centre shelf – perfect for rustic baskets and recipe books. 

A clever faux door on the left allows bar stools to be tucked out of the way, without ruining the illusion.

This lovely bespoke kitchen is from Thomas Ford & Sons , while the flooring is by Artisans of Devizes .

How much does a farmhouse kitchen island cost?

The price can range from $350/£250 to around $3,500/£2,700 for a high-quality kitchen furniture brand to build and install an island. But, if you want something a little more bespoke, costs can reach upwards of $28,000/£20,000.

Can I have an island in a small farmhouse kitchen?

The most important thing to remember is that a kitchen island is going to take up precious floor space in a square kitchen. 

Generally, it's recommended that an island is no less than 40 by 40 inches (1 meter x 1 meter) for a small kitchen. If you're going for something narrower and longer, it's important to give yourself enough work space and plenty of room to move around it.

Does a farmhouse kitchen island add value?

A kitchen island can add value to a property, due to its functionality and aesthetic. It's also a less expensive option compared to other kitchen renovation projects, so it's usually a safe bet for a high return on investment.

Linda graduated from university with a First in Journalism, Film and Broadcasting. Her career began on a trade title for the kitchen and bathroom industry, and she has worked for Homes & Gardens, and sister-brands Livingetc, Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, since 2006, covering interiors topics, though kitchens and bathrooms are her specialism.  

Kitchen island in a country house: 10 examples

A kitchen island in a private house is an opportunity to increase the working area, storage space and space for gatherings with friends. In our selection of 10 examples of organizing a kitchen with an island and options for how it can be arranged.

The island is an alternative to the bar counter

Both in an apartment and in a country house, the kitchen is often combined with a dining room and a living room. This decision has its advantages, but designer Yulia Golavskaya admits: “I don’t really like it when the kitchen becomes part of the living room, so in this project it is delicately hidden in a corner.” With a relatively small kitchen area, Julia managed to place a kitchen island here: it serves as an impromptu table for a small company and, moreover, adds useful centimeters to the working surface. No wonder its facades repeat the facades of the rest of the kitchen set - in fact, the island turns the corner kitchen into a U-shaped one. nine0003

In the same way, designer Inna Zavyalova installed an island in the customer's house in the image and likeness of the main kitchen (we will see later that this is far from the only option). This is because despite the great functional significance of the kitchen island, the design of this large-scale element should also be a priority: “The appearance of doors, cabinets and showcases has a very strong influence on the aesthetics of the interior, so we spare no time to develop them,” agrees Inna. In addition, there are almost no isolated rooms in this house, the prospect of movement can be traced everywhere: from the hall to the kitchen, from the kitchen to the dining room, from the dining room to the living room, so that the island "merges" with the facades and from another room is not striking. nine0003

The inhabitants of this house are very hospitable, they love to receive relatives and friends, so instead of piling up sofas in the living room, Olimpiada Arefyeva made a long American couch under the window. For the same reason, the kitchen was also updated: when the designer came to the site, the suite was already in the house, Olimpiada replaced its facades and added a kitchen island, which, in contrast to the classic panels and black kitchen worktop, looks light, modern and minimalistic.

Island as a place to store utensils and prepare meals

In the interior of this house, designed by Marina Gaskova, the kitchen island occupies a "royal" place: it stands exactly in the middle of the kitchen, it is significantly higher than the kitchen countertop, and in its shape - the main feature - it resembles a podium. A large number of drawers, as well as a convenient recess, allow the hostess to quickly get the necessary item and always keep it at hand, moreover, this recess "coincides" with the convex part of the kitchen near the stove, emphasizing that the two elements are one.

But in the country kitchen of this house, the island and the built-in kitchen have completely different facades: if the kitchen doors are made of wood, the island is a monumental steel box. The absence of accessories enhances such a strict appearance, although the owner of the house is a very hospitable person: initially he described his kitchen to the designers of the Inart bureau as a place where you can gather in a big company and cook together, make dumplings and drink wine.

Kitchen island with sink or hob

Such equipment of the island requires taking into account the nuances associated with the supply of water, electricity or gas. But in a private house, such an idea is easier to implement than in a city apartment, if only because you definitely do not risk laying communications over the living quarters of your neighbors from below. So, in the house of Ilya Tyutenkov and Ekaterina Kononenko, not only a stove with a gas surface is built into the island, but also an extractor hood: this made it possible to maintain the visual lightness of the space - the ventilation pipe is laid in the floor, which ensures the purity of the picture. Another important function of the island is the zoning of space: it clearly divides the room into a kitchen and a dining room. nine0003

For their customer, architec.one also installed an island with a gas stove in the kitchen. The hood is traditionally built into the ceiling, but due to its lightweight design it remains inconspicuous. But something else immediately catches your eye - the table top of the island consists of two levels: "lower" - for cooking, and "upper" - in order to do it in a company. Please note: if you want to sit behind the island, like at the bar counter, you need to calculate the distance to the boxes so that you definitely do not rest against them with your knees and feel comfortable. nine0003

But the customers of Marina Biryukova and Elizaveta Golubtsova from the Bigo bureau preferred to complete the island with a counter. This option turned out to be convenient even despite the fact that the house already has a dining area. In addition, at such a distance, splashes of water will definitely not reach the guests.

The island in the kitchen of Anastasia Kamensky also combines a stove, a bar counter, and, of course, storage space. The designer made the latter both closed and open: after all, the equipment of the island required an impressive size, and such open areas allow it to be "unloaded" and decorated with decor. nine0003

All in one

The fact that it was the architects who designed this space is immediately evident. Bureaus “A+A” hid the kitchen together with the refrigerator, oven and other attributes behind neat brushed wood facades and filled the kitchen island to the maximum: the sink, stove and spacious drawers are integrated into it, and the continuation of the countertop serves as a small but comfortable table. A spectacular detail of the kitchen was the "rusty" hood: it is made of custom-made Corten steel, that is, the metal was first oxidized and then treated with an oxygen-impervious coating to fix the result. nine0003

Photo: Press service archive

A kitchen with an island in an apartment or a country house :: PlazaReal in St. Petersburg

stands in the center of the kitchen and somewhat distant from the cabinets. The degree of remoteness depends on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room. This cabinet is called an island. The same layout - an island in the kitchen - can be seen in culinary shows such as Smak, Eat at Home and others. Is the design of the kitchen with the island convenient, what are the requirements for organizing the island in the kitchen? nine0003

What is a kitchen with an island

An island in the kitchen (photo) is a way of organizing space in such a way that it is convenient for the hostess, and the interior remains stylish and sophisticated. In fact, this is part of the kitchen set, which is separate from all the furniture in the center of the kitchen. What will be on this pedestal is up to the owners to decide. Although a lot depends on the layout of the kitchen and its area.

The island can combine sink and hob, sink and dining table, cutting surface and dining area.

If the island is used for cooking, a hood is placed above it. If it's a dining area, you'll need under-surface legroom and chairs around the island.

Is a kitchen with an island comfortable? Definitely yes. The room turns out to be ergonomic, the furniture is ordered, built according to the triangle rule: a refrigerator or a cabinet with food - a food preparation area - a food preparation area. The distance between the main points is reduced, which means that the hostess can save a lot of time and effort while cooking. And given that the kitchen is constantly experiencing a shortage of work surfaces, the island is also a practical solution. nine0003

Design style and island in the kitchen

As an integral part of the kitchen, a free-standing unit must match both the style of the room and the chosen color scheme. Simply put, the island in the kitchen, the design of the kitchen should be in harmony and form a single whole. What interior styles will the kitchen island make friends with?

Classic

Classic style kitchen with island is the most traditional example. Large space, symmetry, expensive materials, strict forms and lines - all this is characteristic of the classics. Options for the design and purpose of the island are different. Attention is paid to the shape of the island (rectangle, with right angles), material (wooden pedestal with stone top) and decorative finishes. nine0003

Loft

Loft is a lot of free space, restraint in form and decor. A direct kitchen with an island would be appropriate here. And the kitchen island itself will act as a work area or another part of the storage system. It can be extended by a dining table.

Country, rustic style

Country style, like the loft, prefers freedom. The peculiarity of the direction is the use of wood not only in decoration, but also in decorative objects.

In the center of the kitchen there is a cabinet with open shelves. Inside - storage baskets made of wicker, ceramic, earthenware, wicker or wooden items and accessories. Cotton curtains in a small flower or a cage instead of facades. nine0003

Minimalism and high-tech

These interior trends are similar in terms of space organization requirements – nothing superfluous, minimal decor, strict lines, practicality. Materials and colors are already selected depending on the style.

The kitchen island is not just a planning detail, but a functional part of it. It is desirable to make it multifaceted. An example is the combination of a kitchen sink and a worktop, which easily turns into a dining area.

Mediterranean style

Mediterranean style, chalets and Scandinavian style have a lot in common. Air access to the kitchen is necessary, so you should not clutter it up with unnecessary furniture, use light shades in decoration and furniture, natural materials.

The island can be used as a cooking area - a worktop with a stove and open shelves under the stove. Shelves can be occupied with wicker boxes, baskets, wicker vases. And above the island you should definitely hang a hood.

Modern

Art Nouveau style is strict in the use of colors, shapes of furnishings and materials. The interior is designed in white, gray, black, let's say graphite and metallic colors.

If a classic kitchen with an island has a rectangular shape, then here you can see not only a square cabinet, but also a streamlined worktop crowning a round or oval cabinet table. The equipment is not exposed, the fittings have a concise design.

Each interior direction has its own preferences in terms of color. The island zone should also be combined with the rest of the environment. nine0003

Kitchen layout with island

Kitchen with island is singled out among the available types of kitchen furniture placement. Projects with photographs will help to imagine what such a room will look like. But the island can fit into almost any layout. The basis is a kitchen set, located in a special way. A curbstone-island is an independent detail of the interior, which has a functional value. nine0003

As an option, the furniture in these listed layout options may not occupy the entire wall, but only part of it. Then the island becomes the centerpiece and the beginning of the kitchen.

It may happen that there is no place for a full-fledged kitchen set, that is, it is not possible to put cabinets and hang wall cabinets. Look at this way out of the situation. Under the window are low cabinets with niches. The main load fell on the island. There is also a sink, a dining table, and a stove. nine0003

Dimensions of the island in the kitchen

The technical parameters of this element excite the owners. What dimensions to choose an island so that it does not clutter up the kitchen, does not interfere with movement, but at the same time is comfortable, practical and roomy. Visually, you can make it light if the niches are open, and the tabletop is glass or made together with a support in light shades.

You can only enter average values ​​to make it easier to navigate when planning a design.

As a result, the average island will take about 1-2 square meters. And given the space for movement near and around the island, you will need 3 or more squares of free space for its arrangement.

Important! For any arrangement of floor and wall cabinets, it is important to follow the rules of ergonomics, that is, the working triangle. For example, the refrigerator and stove are located against the wall, and the working area, the sink is located on the island. Or install the stove in the island, and equip the sink, cutting surface and refrigerator in the main part of the kitchen set. nine0003

In a small kitchen with an island, the distance between the sides of the "triangle" can be up to 60 cm, in larger kitchens from 1 meter or more. The maximum distance should not exceed 3 meters, otherwise the hostess will not only save time, but spend her strength and get tired.

Shapes of the island in the kitchen

Square and rectangular shapes are considered classic. If the kitchen is rectangular, then the island is elongated, if the room has the shape of a square, then the island part repeats it. But modern kitchens with an island allow you to dream up. You can see any form, even the most bizarre. nine0003

The main part of the headset has right angles, while the sides of the island are semicircular, round, beveled or even wavy. On the other hand, all furniture can have such a fantasy line.

The shape of the island does not lose its practicality and functionality. Perhaps the cost of such a project will increase, but you will get a unique design that will resonate in the hearts of households and guests.

What is important to consider?

Any planning is preceded by a project, where all points are specified in detail. This also applies to the kitchen with the island. Projects must take into account some important points. nine0003