Island kitchen model
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 More60 Fabulous Kitchen Island Ideas
1
Bold and Beautiful
Thomas Loof
We can’t take our eyes off of this stunning kitchen island in a Chicago home designed by Summer Thornton. Rather than settling for a workaday Carrara slab, she selected stone with swirls of violet and green. Pro tip: Want to bring color to your kitchen? Style your island with heaps of vibrant (and long-lasting) produce such as artichokes, citrus, and mini melons.
2
Modern Lovers
Brian Ferry
If you have the opportunity (not to mention the budget!) why not make your kitchen island a work of architecture? The designers at Home Studios were inspired by the work of Finnish modernist Alvar Aalto while creating this Brooklyn kitchen and dreamed up a custom island featuring ridged white edges and a Paonazzo marble top that nods to his buildings.
3
Sleek Waterfall
Isabel Parra
Waterfall countertops are a classic. We dig how this kitchen island, in the upstate New York home of Perifio designers Matt Bidgoli and Raphael Portet creates a frame around cabinets painted in a pleasing evergreen shade.
4
Cottage Chic
Haris Kenjar
Everything about this charming Minnesota lake house, designed by interior designer Anne McDonald with Plaad architects, was crafted to evoke the client’s Scandinavian heritage—without going over the top.
This sweet custom kitchen island features Scandi-chic turned legs, a detail that cleverly nods to the home’s exterior columns.
5
Salvage Beauty
Paul Raeside
“Reclaim” was the name of the game in this London townhouse designed by local firm Retrouvius. That philosophy extended to the upcycled kitchen island, which began life as a pair of mirrored museum cabinets. It’s topped with a slab of iroko, an African hardwood that Retrouvius salvages from government buildings.
6
Primary Rules
Alanna Hale
Forget white: In this happy Bay Area kitchen, designer Jessica Davis played with punchy primary colors. She painted the island in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue and topped it with a huge walnut slab.
7
Color Blocked
Ema Peter
If you can’t afford to replace your kitchen island, then work with what you’ve got! In this ultratrendy mother-daughter home in West Vancouver, Canada, PlaidFox worked with the existing island but remixed it with a fresh coat of teal paint, funky lighting, and plush seating.
8
Minty Fresh
Carmel Brantley
With a home just blocks from the beach, designer Caroline Rafferty made sure her Palm Beach home channelled all the good vibes of the tropical climate. In the kitchen, that meant complementing minty kitchen cabinets with a cream-colored island slab and honey-colored walnut cabinets below. Mother Nature knows best, after all!
9
Allover Marble
Douglas Friedman
We are staunch proponents of an allover pattern look, and the kitchen is no exception. In this art-filled San Francisco mansion, ELLE DECOR A-List designer Nicole Hollis clad the custom island, counters, and shelves in the same raspberry ripple-colored stone.
10
Old-World Glam
Ricardo Labougle
Pass the mustard! We’re obsessed with this custom yellow kitchen island (painted in Farrow & Ball’s India Yellow) in an 18th-century villa on the Spanish island (of course) of Menorca.
The look gets further glam, old-world touches via the impressive marble backsplash and the gilt-bronze fringed chandelier, sourced from a palace in Madrid.
11
The Node Knows
Richard Powers
Sure, kitchen islands combine form and function, but we’ve never seen one quite like the sprawling counter in Studio Piet Boon creative director Karin Meyn’s Amsterdam home. Here, the workspace branches off into a dining table for six guests, allowing for easygoing get-togethers.
12
Monolithic Marble
Ye Rin Mok
This Los Angeles bungalow renovation, designed by LAUN, is a study in volumes, from the green lacquered storage block to the sculptural pink stone island. Renovators take note: The latter’s swirling surface makes a chic alternative to its black-and-white cousins.
13
Terrazzo-Topped
Peter Murdock
The view is everything in this shou sugi ban house in Long Island.
Therefore the interiors, designed by Joe Nahem, looked to nature wherever possible. For the custom kitchen island, speckled black countertops add some artful intrigue, while the blue cabinetry picks up the hue of the pool just outside.
14
Patinated Brass Island
Stephen Kent Johnson
This look, also in a Long Island home, is bound to please all of the minimalists out there: Designer Poonam Khanna kept the rest of the kitchen relatively muted with pale timber cabinetry and floors, but she clad the island in patinated brass for visual interest. The finish will wear over time, smudged with the family’s fingerprints. In fact, Khanna has instructed the residents not to polish it, as an ode to family life.
15
Sculptural Island
Anson Smart
This sculptural kitchen island, in the Sydney home of Aussie designer Tamsin Johnson, ranks among the best we’ve ever seen.
The bespoke creation, carved from a piece of gray Bianco Gioia stone, is equal parts work of art and family gathering spot.
16
Rustic yet Refined
Douglas Friedman
This rustic kitchen, in a Sonoma, California, home designed by Ken Fulk, conjures the country simplicity of the surrounding vineyard estate. The weighty central island was a custom design made from dark timber and topped with a curve-edged slab of marble. Brutalist bar stools by Swedish designer Carl Malmsten complete the look.
17
Lacquered Looker
Roger Davies
Oliver M. Furth infused this Beverly Hills home with Hollywood glamour aplenty. The kitchen was no exception with its larger-than-life kitchen island coated in a sexy, high-gloss coat of Benjamin Moore’s Black Satin.
18
All that Brass
Helenio Barbetta/Living Inside
Who said love of the material was ever a bad thing? Here, in a Milan apartment designed by ELLE DECOR A-List designer Hannes Peer, the island got a Midas touch with shiny brass cladding.
To give it edge (literally and figuratively), Peer wrapped it in white-veined black marble.
19
Pepper Granite
Lisa Cohen
A Melbourne, Australia, home makes the most of an open-concept space with a streamlined island crafted of pepper granite.
20
Walnut Veneer Island
Simon Upton
Designers Kelli Wilde and Laurent Champeau gave this 19th-century Paris apartment a modern face-lift with a walnut-paneled kitchen, including a custom walnut-veneer kitchen island.
21
Curved Island
Thomas Loof
In a sprawling TriBeCa apartment, interior designer Richard Mishaan brings the drama with a custom island by Herzog & de Meuron, which features a rounded, black lacquer base.
22
Tile and Marble
Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Architect Carmel Greer brings the drama to her Washington, D.
C. kitchen, with a navy central island clad in black tile and topped with black marble.
23
Butcher Block Island
Dustin Aksland
Architect Elizabeth Roberts fashioned a spacious Brooklyn kitchen with an island covered in a custom oak Tri-Lox butcher block, creating the perfect place for meals to be made and enjoyed.
24
Wooden Table Island
Andrew Boyd
25
Vintage Table Island
Bjorn Wallander
A vintage French artist's table serves as the kitchen island in this breezy Hamptons summer house, bridging the gap between the modern appliances and cozy cottage feel.
26
Gray Marble Kitchen Island
Douglas Friedman
A black and white kitchen in a contemporary Los Angeles home designed by Georgia Tapert Howe is complete with a gray marble island, a refrigerator by Sub-Zero, a range by Wolf, and a Rohl farmhouse sink with fittings by Waterworks.
The stools are from Design Within Reach, the counters are in a gray marble, the Roman shades are of a C & C Milano sheer, and the pendants are by RH, Restoration Hardware.
27
Stainless Steel Kitchen Island
Richard Powers
In the kitchen of a stunning Alex Papachristidis-designed Manhattan apartment, the custom island is topped with brushed stainless steel. The range is by Wolf, the Saarinen table and chairs are from Knoll, and the Dandelion chandeliers by Tony Duquette are from Remains Lighting; the Roman shade is of a China Seas fabric with velvet trim from Duralee, and the floor tiles are by Paris Ceramics.
28
Sleek, White Marble Kitchen Island
Julia Robbs
A white marble island adds contrast to a New York condo kitchen that's outfitted with black marble, black stools and cabinets.
29
Steel and Walnut Kitchen Island
Joshua McHugh
In this Long Island beach house kitchen, the island is made of stainless steel and walnut, the sink is by Julien, the fittings are by Dornbracht, and the stool is by BDDW. Both the refrigerator and range are by Thermador, and the cabinetry is lacquered in a Ralph Lauren paint.
30
Double Kitchen Islands
Nicole Hill Gerulat
Double marble and Caesarstone-clad islands, which complement pendants by Thomas O'Brien for Visual Comfort, are the highlight of an airy kitchen in Orem, Utah, family home designed by Alice Lane Home Collection.
31
Classic Kitchen Island
Joshua McHugh
Along with a marble and grey island, the kitchen of a Washington, Connecticut, farmhouse includes stools by York Street Studio, a Wolf range, Waterworks sink fittings, and walls painted in Benjamin Moore's White Dove.
32
Salvaged Marble Kitchen Island
Douglas Friedman
In a Sonoma Valley lake house designed by Ken Fulk, the salvaged marble counters are from Exquisite Surfaces, the kitchen range is by La Cornue, the pendants and sconce are by the Urban Electric Co., and the stools are from Sonoma Country Antiques.
33
Wood and Grey Kitchen Island
Ricardo Labougle
In a London townhouse, a wood island with grey cabinets adds character to the kitchen. The cabinetry by Plain English is painted in Pure Grey 6 by Papers and Paints, the 1955 pendant lights are by Serge Mouille, the wall tiles are by Neisha Crosland, and the floor is made of three varieties of limestone.
34
Subdued Grey Kitchen Island
Simon Upton
In an English country estate, a marble-topped island by Plain English adds character to the kitchen.
The space is open to the living area, which includes a Victorian mahogany table, curtains of a Bennison Fabrics stripe, and walls painted in Tablecloth by Paint & Paper Library; the 2015 artwork above the mantel is by Fred Ingrams.
35
All-White Kitchen Island
Michael Lee
The sleek all-white kitchen in a Boston apartment designed by Erin Gates includes a white marble island and wire counter stools by Rove Concepts.
36
Majestic Blue Kitchen Island
William Waldron
The kitchen of Bobby Flay's Hamptons home features custom-made cabinets and an island painted in Benjamin Moore's Majestic Blue. The brass pendants are by Thomas O'Brien for Visual Comfort, and the French bistro chairs are by Beaufurn.
37
Blond Wood Kitchen Island
William Waldron
In hairstylist John Barrett's downtown New York apartment, blond wood and black granite are sleek and sophisticated, without being cold—especially when paired with a vintage French steel chair.
38
Bold Kitchen Island
Design Connect
This island may be big and bold, but it fits perfectly into this white-and-gray kitchen, designed by Chris Barrett.
39
Gray And White Kitchen Island
Grey Crawford
This stunning 1920s Hollywood home belongs to actors Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor, and the gray-topped white island—featuring cabinet supports inspired by hand-turned spindles spotted in an old bakery—meshes perfectly with the red-tiled floor.
40
Rustic Kitchen Island
Simon Upton
In Kit and Tim Kemp's 1920s London townhouse, a squat rustic island sits underneath a Kevin Reilly for Holly Hunt light fixture.
41
Custom-Made Kitchen Island
William Abronowicz
In this California home, we adore this custom-made, marble-topped island, paired with hyper-modern chairs and topped by antique Belgian light fixtures.
42
Oak Kitchen Island
Mikkel Vang
This Kelly Wearstler-designed home in Mercer Island, Washington, combines a brass island with cerused oak cabinetry and marble countertops.
43
Hague Blue Kitchen Island
Richard Powers
In this Hollywood Hills home, the kitchen features vintage pendants from Obsolete and BassamFellows stools from Design Within Reach. The island and cabinets are painted in Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue.
44
Swedish Table Hague Blue Kitchen Island
Simon Upton
The kitchen at Emma Jane Pilkington's Connecticut home features a Diva de Provence range and antique wood floors from Baba. The circa-1700 Swedish table serves as the central island.
45
Crisp White Kitchen Island
Björn Wallander
In this Hamptons kitchen, the crisp white kitchen cabinetry and matching island are custom made, the stools are by BassamFellows, and the pendant lights are by Louis Poulsen.
46
Modern Kitchen Island
Simon Upton
Pendants from a Czechoslovakian factory and 1940s stools by Warren McArthur accent the island in this NYC kitchen; the oven is by Wolf, the floor is lined with Corten steel tiles and the staircase is suspended from cable supports.
47
Caesarstone Kitchen Island
Björn Wallander
The kitchen island and counters in this New York penthouse are topped with a Caesarstone surface, the Bertoia barstools are by Knoll and the 1950s pendants are Italian.
48
Cast-Iron Kitchen Island
Simon Upton
In the kitchen of this London home, the island is made from a 19th-century cast-iron stove and topped with Carrara marble; the pendant light is early-20th-century French, and the walls are lined with 19th- century Portuguese tiles.
49
Icy Blue Kitchen Island
Björn Wallander
The cabinets and island in this Beverly Hills cottage are painted a pale icy blue. Circa-1935 pendant lights and a Wolf range round out the space.
50
Marble and Oak Kitchen Island
Henri Bourne
A 1912 Dutch Colonial home in Philadelphia is an ode to French country chic. The marble-and-oak island is a replica of one at La Mirande hotel in Avignon, and the vintage grape-collecting basket is from the Champagne valley.
51
Sophisticated Kitchen Island
William Abranowicz
In this railway depot turned home in upstate New York, the cabinetry and marble-top kitchen island are custom made, the nickel display case is 19th century and the pendants are by Urban Archaeology.
52
Wine Refrigerator Kitchen Island
James Merrell
Fashion magnate Robert Duffy's kitchen in his Hudson Valley estate features a chic wine refrigerator and vent hood by GE Monogram. The Regency-style mahogany dining chairs are from the 1940s, and the collection of copper cookware includes antique and vintage pieces.
53
Modern Caesarstone Kitchen Island
Richard Powers
This modern Mexican home's kitchen cabinetry, vent hood and table are by Boffi, and the island's countertop is Caesarstone. The sink fittings are by Dornbracht, the range is by Wolf and the ovens are by Miele.
54
Stainless Steel And Walnut Kitchen Island
Joshua McHugh
The kitchen island in this modern bachelor-pad-turned-family home is made of stainless steel and walnut.
The sink is by Julien, the fittings are by Dornbracht and the stool is by BDDW. The refrigerator and range are by Thermador and the cabinetry is lacquered in a Ralph Lauren paint.
55
Honed Carrara Marble Kitchen Island
Simon Upton
In the kitchen of a midcentury weekend house in Connecticut, the island has a top of honed Carrara marble. The wall tiles are by Waterworks, the stove is Viking and the stools are by York Street Studio. The 19th-century Windsor chair is a family heirloom, and the 1920s English pendants are from BK Antiques.
56
Dark Wood Kitchen Island
Thomas Loof
This kitchen in a home designed by Celerie Kemble is anchored by a dark wood island. The kitchen chairs are by Palecek, the pot rack is by Urban Archaeology, the vintage tole chandelier is from Etsy and the floors are oak.
57
White Ash Kitchen Island
William Waldron
In a New York pool house inspired by Morocco, the kitchen island is topped with custom-painted white ash. The sink is by Julien, and the fittings are by KWC.
58
Lush Green Kitchen Island
Eric Piasecki
The kitchen in a Houston home designed by J. Randall Powers has an island and cabinets painted in a lush, grounding green. The sink fittings are by Rohl, the range is by Wolf, the refrigerator is by Sub-Zero, the wall tiles are by Walker Zanger and the stools are by Mecox.
59
Cool Blue Kitchen Island
Trevor Tondro
A serene home in Pacific Palisades flaunts a cool blue kitchen island. The 1920s pendant lights came from Thanks for the Memories, and the barstools are from Organic Modernism.
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Quartzite Kitchen Island
Björn Wallander
A sultry home in Lake Tahoe, California has a kitchen island of quartzite and cabinetry by Bulthaup, an oven by Miele, a stove and hood by Gaggenau and a sink by Blanco with Dornbracht fittings. The custom-made stools are covered in an Edelman leather.
Anna Fixsen Deputy Digital Editor Anna Fixsen, Deputy Digital Editor at ELLE DECOR, focuses on how to share the best of the design world through in-depth reportage and online storytelling.
40 design projects with photos
In modern design, centralization is considered good form: furniture is located not only along the walls, but also in the center of the room. In the kitchen, it is not only fashionable, but also convenient: there is a chance to make an additional work surface.
In this article we will talk about kitchens with an island: we will understand its capabilities, see photos in the interior and learn about various design options.
Interesting projects and advice from experts will help to equip the room beautifully and functionally.
What is it?
A kitchen island is a free-standing part of a kitchen. Most often it is placed in the center of the kitchen.
At the same time, this element of furniture can be used in different ways: as a countertop or as a table, place a stove or sink there, turn it into a kind of bar counter ... It all depends on the needs and design project.
The lower part is rarely made hollow: often there are additional drawers for storing kitchen utensils.
Let's make a reservation right away: it is unrealistic to put it in a small kitchen, since it takes up too much space.
However, in small kitchens, an alternative is usually used - the peninsula. This is a protruding structure, on one side adjacent to the wall or headset.
The islands themselves are of two types:
- stationary, that is, built into the floor;
- and mobile (mobile).
The former are more suitable for a full worktop with a stove and sanitary ware, while the latter are more suitable for those who want to equip an additional countertop.
Planning features
It should be noted that these are more tips than immutable rules. However, if you neglect them, then the island will simply interfere.
If you want to place a sink or hob on it, communications must be carried out in advance. You will also need an island hood (read what it is in this article). It costs more than usual, but it completely solves the problem of unpleasant odors.
For comfortable movement in the kitchen, indents from walls and furniture to the island should be at least 80 centimeters.
The standard length of the island is from 90 to 120 cm, and the optimal height is about 80-85 cm, like the lower section of the headset.
If you want to use the island as a dining table, make sure that the overhang of the tabletop over the base is at least 30 centimeters.
Otherwise, it will be uncomfortable to sit. In addition, make sure that nothing will interfere with the extension of drawers or the opening of doors, if they are provided in the island.
As for combining it with a bar counter, please note that in this case you will need to make a two-level tabletop. Otherwise, either the stand will be lower than expected, or it will become inconvenient to work on the island.
Tip: When creating a kitchen design project, it is recommended to evaluate the arrangement not only from the top view, but also from the side. So you will understand how comfortable it will be to work and move around the room.
Keep all of this in mind when planning a kitchen with an island. Real projects with photos will be shown below - we are sure they will be useful to you.
Is the extra surface worth the restrictions? Now we'll see!
Advantages and disadvantages
Like any other piece of furniture, the island has both pluses and minuses.
| For | Against |
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Brief summary: Of course, there are more pluses.
Plus, they're all quite heavy. Therefore, if space and finances allow, choose and order the model you like.
Now let's see if there are any restrictions on the area of the room where it will fit.
Island and kitchen area
As mentioned above, this requires a large kitchen. For example:
- Kitchen-living room 20 squares;
- Combined with a hall, hallway or studio apartment.
However, for a small kitchen, this condition is bypassed if you choose the right configuration: a compact island or a transformer.
Experts advise to choose the option with a pull-out mechanism and a folding top, which can replace a dining table and provide additional work surface. And in the “passive” state, such an island is generally invisible, which frees up a lot of space in the room.
Let's see photos with different types of designs.
American style
It is believed that this type of kitchen design came from the USA.
In general, it is characterized by natural materials and the combination of practicality with beauty. Therefore, we recommend decorating the island with light wooden facades and marble countertops. Moreover, furniture from IKEA will not work - Americans appreciate monumentality, so you have to find a really impressive set.
In the kitchen-living room, it makes sense to delimit the zones with a long island with a prominent bar counter. It is comfortable and looks very unusual. Turn it into a dining table with a raised table top. Due to the size, there is enough space even for a large family.
Please note: According to design standards, it must follow the configuration of the room in shape. That is, square for square and rectangular for elongated.
An American classic kitchen with a fixed island is not only fashionable but also practical. Take a look at how the chandelier is framed. It is surrounded by an iron cascade, on which you can hang beautiful crockery and other kitchen utensils.
The décor is structurally similar to the main set - pay attention to the patina on the facades. But the color scheme is chosen in contrast. This technique makes the room visually more spacious. In this case, the main focus is on the center of the room - black wood is underlined by a white background.
Provence style
You will need to use light, light colors and natural materials. We also advise you to choose furniture that is not too heavy in appearance, without complex textures and decorative curls.
Let's start with a very unexpected decision. Remember, we wrote about the desired dimensions of the room? Meanwhile, some find a way out even for a small area of 12 sq.m.!
The sink is removed to the miniature island and there is room for a small cutting surface. This allows you to narrow the main headset. True, in this case, you will have to do with a two-burner hob.
The built-in sea-green peninsula also looks beautiful.
Such furniture does not clutter up the center, making it possible to equip a full-fledged kitchen-dining room. It is best to use this technique in large rooms with at least two windows - one for each zone.
Modern idea: This configuration is convenient when you need a dining table and additional storage space at the same time. In addition, it is easy to do it yourself.
Classic style
The island is also suitable for interiors decorated in discreet traditional motifs. Try to make the kitchen in light colors, with white facades and stone countertops. Delicate patina, elegant details look amazing, especially in this scale.
A word of advice: place the shaped chandelier directly above the kitchen island. It will become the main decoration, while providing enough light above the work surface.
In the style of modern classics, the addition of non-standard textures or bright colors is welcome. We offer you this option: an island that plays the role of a dining table on the one hand, and a traditional surface with drawers on the other.
To dilute the white-beige palette will help chairs of an unexpected color - for example, lilac.
If you decide to remove the wall between the kitchen and the room, it can be a worthy replacement. Place it on the border to emphasize the transition between zones.
A good move - hanging structure with stucco bas-relief. It is not only beautiful, but also practical - hang pots and pans on it. True, for this they must have an appropriate appearance - old dishes are unlikely to decorate the interior.
Scandinavian style
The bright and airy kitchens are ideal for an island. Don't believe? Let's prove it now!
Opt for natural textures such as wood. Pay attention to how multifunctional the small island is made. It combines a sink, a work surface, a dining table and a place to store books and all sorts of little things. This is the perfect solution for a small space.
Think twice before installing an island combined with a breakfast bar.
If you place the countertop at the optimum height for the bar, it can be uncomfortable to work on. Therefore, estimate immediately whether you will be able to cook without discomfort.
It doesn't have to be big. Miniature models also look very stylish. Especially if you add an unexpected element during the design - for example, make legs from rough raw bricks. On a glossy snow-white background, they look interesting and original.
But for a spacious kitchen-living-dining room, a huge island is suitable, which combines several functions. For example, a table and a wide work surface. It is better to make it from natural materials. A wooden table top, for example, is now in vogue.
Contemporary
We love this look. Minimalism in design emphasizes the beautiful textures of countertops and the whiteness of facades. In a sufficiently large room, every centimeter is involved - rationally, don't you think?
It is better to make a table as simple as possible, but functional.
Try to combine several purposes in it - a dining area, storage space, a wide work surface.
Classical styles often use rectangular or square. However, you should not be limited to them - round, wavy, zigzag. All this is quite feasible, especially if the area allows. We love this red and white design. It looks very stylish and catchy, becoming the dominant element of the interior.
Another option is an abstract island design. Smooth lines and elements flowing into each other attract the eye. If you do not want to force the room with furniture, turn it into a full-fledged work surface. A small sink, a modern hob, which at first seems like an unusual countertop decor. Fashionable and modern, right?
The modern design of the kitchen with a 9-square island also definitely deserves attention. A rounded corner set and a tiny island look organic, and the right set of tones makes the room visually more spacious.
The combined island surface is another trendy trick.
Break it visually into three zones: cooking, work surface and countertop, which will play the role of a dining table. Of course, in a small room you can hardly put such a design. But in a large one, it will be appropriate.
Loft style
The idea of decentralization is typical for a loft, so installing an island is the right and logical move.
If the kitchen is located in the attic, pick it up in width flush with the even part of the ceiling, and install a U-shaped set around the perimeter of the room. It seems to be nothing complicated, but the room immediately seems stylish and modern. Use traditional materials for this style - wood, brick, concrete.
Light island with stove combines the functions of a dining area and a hob. This is convenient, but you need to remember about safety: you still don’t need to cook and have a snack at the table at the same time, there is a risk of getting burned.
In a white kitchen, we recommend not to overload the interior with an overly complex shape of the kitchen island.
It is better to limit yourself to a simple headset, and focus on wall decoration and decorative elements. In a private house, replace one of the partitions with a large window.
Summing up, we note that the kitchen island requires a serious approach. You will have to draw up a design project, think over the arrangement of furniture and carefully select all the elements.
However, if you are not afraid of complexity, and space allows (or if you have an idea how to install it in a small kitchen), then we definitely recommend it for purchase! It is not only beautiful and comfortable, but also very fashionable.
Kitchen with an island in an apartment or country house :: PlazaReal in St. Petersburg
In many American films where scenes take place in the kitchen, we can see kitchen cabinets along the wall and a kind of cabinet that stands in the center of the kitchen and is somewhat distant from 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?
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.
- Gas or electric stove.
- Cutting table.
- Sink.
- Cabinet with an empty surface, like a distribution table.
- Dining table.
- Bar counter.
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.
Design style and island in the kitchen
As an integral part of the kitchen, the 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.
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.
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 situation.
- The kitchen island, made in the same color scheme as the entire kitchen set, will unite the kitchen into a single whole.
- If this part of the layout is done in a contrasting shade, it will be an accent, will focus attention and even zone the space.
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 how 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.
- Direct arrangement of furniture (single row), when furniture is placed along one wall. In the kitchen there is a lot of free space for both the dining table and the island. This idea is often practiced in the design of a kitchen-living room with an island.
- Two-row and U-shaped kitchen. The main requirement is the width of the passage between the rows of furniture, since the island, according to the rules of ergonomics, must be 120 cm or more away from the headset. This requirement is caused by the convenience of opening cabinets, and the safety of work and movement in the kitchen.
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.
- Corner or L-shaped cabinets.
Furniture is compactly placed against adjacent walls and at the same time frees up space for a kitchen island.
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.
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.
- The height of the island is from 85 to 90 cm for people of average and slightly above average height.
- Length - from 120 cm.
- Width or depth - 60 to 150 cm.
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.
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.
Kitchen island shapes
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.
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.
- Ergonomic. It is necessary to build an optimal working triangle.
- Lighting. Whether it is a work surface, a dining area or a place for cooking, you will need lamps.
It can be a row of lamps on a long cord or one chandelier. If a hood is installed on the ceiling, it should be decorated around the perimeter with LED lighting. It is possible to mount light sources in the hood. - Communications. For a sink, dishwasher or washing machine, you will need to bring water and sewer pipes. And for the stove - a gas pipe.
- Wiring. To connect household appliances, hoods or ovens, you need an outlet. So, you have to lay a line from the electricity meter.
- Safety. The sink should not be located close to the stove. It is unsafe and even the science of feng shui is in solidarity with this.
- Household appliances. If it is to be used on an island, it must be fixed, not mobile.
Important! To bring communications, you will need to raise the floor to hide pipes and wiring under it. If you live in an apartment, make sure that relocation of the water and sewer points is possible.
Agree that a kitchen with an island looks the most harmonious in a private house or in a large apartment, where the kitchen area is from 12-15 square meters or more.
