Kitchen double island ideas

10 ideas for double kitchen islands |

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(Image credit: Martin Moore)

Double island kitchens don't have to be the preserve only of those with the largest of kitchens – but if you do have a big kitchen, having two kitchen islands can be really useful. 

Why? Well, one very large kitchen island can look monolithic – not in a good way – and its sheer size can make it somewhat impractical. Double kitchen islands allow you to zone prep and dining/work areas, break up the monotony of the layout, and can add much needed interest in a large open plan space. And they're one of those kitchen ideas that can work in more modest spaces, too. 

Below, we show you how double island kitchens work well – and offer expert advice and design tips, too. 

Double island kitchen ideas 

Double kitchen islands allow your space to be multi-functional and neat, and are an ideal addition to a home that doesn't have a separate pantry or home office, for example.  

‘Kitchen island ideas are a perennial favorite; our homes are evolving, and with this comes the surge in demand for double island kitchens. We are now taking it to the next level and expanding our kitchen islands by doubling up as the extra counter space takes multifunctional living to a new dimension,' bespoke kitchen designer Tom Howley explains.

'Kitchens have become the hub of the home during the last two years and as our lives and habits have changed, so have the demands that we make on our kitchens, and investing in two kitchen islands can simply elevate a kitchen area to a multitude of social spaces to cater for all the family.'

1. Use one island for function, the other for entertaining

(Image credit: Tom Howley)

‘Having double kitchen islands serves a variety of purposes to make multifunctional life easier – providing twice the counter space in the kitchen for food prep, and even offering a second sink to streamline the cooking process,’ continues Tom Howley.

‘Typically, one island serves a more functional role – great for food prep and may include a second sink or even a dishwasher, streamlining the cooking process. The second island is then dedicated to entertaining or eating. It often has an area for kitchen island seating ideas, allowing guests to relax as you prepare a meal or for your children to do their homework while you whip up an after-school snack.’

2. Let double kitchen islands blend into your scheme 

(Image credit: Roundhouse)

‘The benefit of a double island kitchen layout is that it is great for zoning in open plan kitchens, which is what most people opt for today,’ explains Sam Hart, designer at Roundhouse . 

‘They’re a good piece of social furniture and effectively create two different spaces. Another big benefit in an open plan space is that an island can be made to look more like a piece of furniture.’

What we love about this scheme is how the wooden drawers on the far island match the trio of pendants above it, and the decorative light above the table – these design details are elements to consider when designing a kitchen island, or two.  

3. Use one island as a breakfast bar

(Image credit: Martin Moore)

As kitchens are the hub of the home, you can encourage more conversation by designing one side of one of the double kitchen islands for breakfast bar ideas. 

‘If you have the space, a double kitchen island is an excellent solution; one island can be used as a prepping zone whilst the other can be used as a gathering area when entertaining friends and family. A double island design offers an amazing amount of work surface without the wasted space that you would have with a large, singular island,’ says Richard Moore, design director of Martin Moore . 

(Image credit: Maestri Studio/Jenifer McNeil Baker)

'We wanted to keep the work/prep space in this kitchen separate from the eat-in/entertaining area,' explains Eddie Maestri, AIA principal architect, creative director and owner of Maestri Studio .

'By creating two kitchen islands, we have designated the spaces in a way that brings an overall continuity to the kitchen. '

We love this idea because the width of the second kitchen island is generous enough to create a countertop space that's fit for entertaining. Knowing how to choose the right sized island is more important in a double island kitchen – the two islands need to be in proportion to each other, of the same height (ideally) and with enough circulation space between and around them to ensure their functionality is as well considered as their looks.

'One of the mistakes to avoid with kitchen island design is installing units that are simple too large – two smaller kitchen islands are often much better than one very large one,' says H&G's Editor in Chief Lucy Searle.

5. Make double island kitchens the focus for cooking

(Image credit: Eggersmann Design)

‘For those who enjoy cooking, creating a zone in the middle of an open-plan kitchen to work is so beneficial,’ explains Gary Singer, founder and creative director of Eggersmann Design .

‘It's a really good way to create an isolated space, yet you are in the middle of the room. There is a clear thoroughfare to the tall storage away from the islands, so that the cook isn’t disturbed by people coming to the fridge or larder. And more edges mean that more people can congregate, with the cook in the middle.’

Note, too, the kitchen island lighting ideas matched above these double kitchen islands – they provide decoration, focus and unity.

6. Stagger double kitchen islands to create a layout that works

(Image credit: Martin Moore)

Contrary to popular belief, your double islands don’t need to line up and they can be different lengths and widths if you’re not a fan of a symmetrical feel. 

One can be placed nearer to the range and store tableware, sink and hob. The other can be for casual dining and family get-togethers, and be used for holding appliances like a wine fridge. Here, the island with the breakfast bar is set back a little so that there is room on the floor plan for breakfast seating to be pushed in and out comfortably.

7. Narrow double kitchen islands are perfect for a small space

(Image credit: La Cornue)

For a truly bespoke look, consider La Cornue's kitchen layout below. Bold and beautiful, these double kitchen islands are perfect for narrow, long or square kitchens, providing defined zones for washing dishes, cooking and prepping and dining – or home working. 

8. Position double kitchens islands in line for symmetry

(Image credit: Living with Lolo/Life Created)

‘We decided to do double islands in this kitchen to maximize the space and give the client a dedicated prep area as well as dedicated eating space,’ says Lauren Lerner, founder and principal designer at Living with Lolo . 

This charming kitchen has a lovely light and airy feel due to the pale blue cabinetry and light marble countertops. The overall layout is key to double islands working within the scheme, and here, symmetry plays its part well.

9. Use the second kitchen island for display

(Image credit: Maestri Studio/Jenifer McNeil Baker)

Modern kitchen island ideas mean that you can be more flexible with your approach. This might mean that one of your pair of double kitchen islands looks more like a sideboard, perhaps serving the dining zone in the kitchen, and of course, you can even explore portable kitchen island ideas for a truly flexible space.

In this kitchen you can see how well it can work, the second island can be used to suit your own individual needs, be it extra storage, a breakfast bar or a bespoke console. Whichever you choose, you will still get extra countertop space. We asked Eddie Maestri, AIA principal architect, creative director and owner of Maestri Studio his advice on how to make this flexible kitchen addition work:

'When keeping a kitchen open to the adjacent living room, we still like to incorporate some kind of visual divider in the space that is both beautiful and functional. In this case, we designed a two-sided console as an island. This piece adds definition to the room, but is still functional to serve food when entertaining, and to accessorize as a piece of furniture. ' 

10. Create a traditional look in a double island kitchen

(Image credit: VSP Interiors)

If you’re not a fan of the conventional-style double island kitchen options then consider this charming version instead. 

‘The ground floor of this home is taken up by a breakfast room and kitchen. The design of this kitchen was a collaborative effort between myself and bespoke specialists Artichoke , who made it,’ explains Henriette von Stockhausen, Co-Founder design agency of VSP Interiors .

‘At one end of the room, there is a professional stove with induction hobs, set into an arched alcove, and a pair of hefty wooden preparation tables. At the other end, a long dining table stands in front of the French windows. These two areas are divided by a marble-topped counter, reminiscent of the waiter’s station at a traditional French brasserie.’

Why have a double island kitchen? 

There are many benefits to having a double island kitchen – firstly you double your space immediately in terms of both countertops and hidden storage. Double islands can help you zone a room, separating a cooking area from a dining area, and can add a more sociable appeal to your space too if you position bar stools on one island. If you don't have space for a laundry room you can use an island for the washer, or can dedicate one to being a pantry, too.

How big does a kitchen need to be for a double island?

The myth is that you need a large kitchen in order to fit in two islands, when in fact, you don't – a kitchen no bigger than 10ft x 10ft can fit in two small islands. Double islands don't need to be huge – you can opt for long and narrow, or no bigger than an average dining table. You could even have an island instead of having a wall of cabinetry which would give you a more compact storage space. 

Sophie has been an interior stylist and journalist for over 20 years and has worked for many of the main interior magazines during that time, both in-house and as a freelancer. On the side, as well as being the News Editor for indie magazine, 91, she trained to be a florist in 2019 and launched The Prettiest Posy where she curates beautiful flowers for modern weddings and events.  For H&G, she writes features about interior design – and is known for having an eye for a beautiful room.

10 Double Island Kitchens From Designers

Two of a kind; double or nothing; two peas in a pod... When a duo has that many dedicated idioms, you know you're onto something. If you're of the mindset that two is always better than one, then you'll really love the latest trend in kitchen design: double islands. While it may feel excessive (and certainly won't work in every space), this over-the-top setup is actually pretty practical, allowing you to dedicate one surface to meal prep (and all the mess that entails) and another to dining, homework, art projects, or work from home life (and all the mess that entails). Curious how to make the pair feel pretty and cohesive? Peep these inspiring spaces with two kitchen islands for double the fun.

1

Rustic Workhorse

Helen Norman

When it came to the kitchen of this expansive Florida bachelor pad, designer Lauren Liess juxtapositioned light and dark materials—one coral stone, one pecky cypress wood—to differentiate the two islands. The rest of the space was kept intentionally symmetrical, with reclaimed beams and a quad of pendant lights overhead.

2

Flexible Dining

Paige Rumore

While designing the Nashville home of country music star Thomas Rhett and his wife, designer April Tomlin focused on creating a cooking space that could flex to accommodate the couple's penchant for entertaining. A pair of double islands—one traditional, one dining table-esque—offer up a spot to cook, share a bite, or just sip a morning cup of coffee.

3

Two for the Show

JOE SCHMELZER

One sure-fire way to make a grand kitchen feel even more regal? Add a pair of rich wood islands! In this Utah home designed by the team at Alice Lane, glam finishes (like high-gloss cabinetry and brass fixtures) meet their match with a duo of butcher block-covered islands stained a rich walnut.

4

Back to Basics

PAIGE RUMORE

The classics are classic for a reason—and they get even more impactful if you double the fun. In this Nashville kitchen designed by Sarah Rogers and April Tomlin, Caesarstone and white islands mirror each other, providing back-to-back spots for the home's four children to debrief after school or help with dinner prep.

5

Mirror Image

Tamara Flanagan

The dual islands in this Kelly McGuill-designed Massachusetts aren't just easy on the eyes—they are supremely functional, too. The homeowner is a baker, so the island closest to the oven serves as a dough-kneading station, thanks to a cool-to-the-touch quartz top (to keep butter from melting) and a hidden shelf underneath that raises a stand mixer to counter height for easy prep work.

6

Double the Drama

Alyssa Rosenheck Photography

To keep an expansive Connecticut kitchen from feeling underutilized, designers Leia T. Ward and Lauren Vallario opted to install two complimentary—yet vastly different—islands in the space. The smaller of the pair focuses on function, with a sink and plenty of room for meal prep and groceries, while the more grand waterfall iteration boasts enough seating for eight (!!) hungry guests.

7

Best of Both Worlds

KIP DAWKINS

Though not technically double islands, this kitchen by Sara Hillery masters the same effect, thanks to the inclusion of both a true kitchen island and an expansive peninsula. Both spots feature sinks and stools, increasing the available work and entertainment space and making this home the place to host holiday gatherings.

8

Trick of the Eye

Annie Schlechter

Don't have room for two separate islands but still want to harness the versatile nature of the trend? Consider installing two different countertop materials on a single island! Here, designer Jocelyn Chiappone took a Jekyll and Hyde approach, covering half the island in a Calacatta Bluette marble and the other half in an end-grain butcher block in a masterful display of form and function.

9

Long and Lean

David A. Land

While most iterations of double islands see the structures oriented vertically to one another, you can also abut them horizontally—an especially great option if your home has a long and lean footprint. In this Long Island kitchen, designer Danielle Fennoy grouped an island and island-height table together to create a flexible zone fit for chopping, working, and buffet-style entertaining.

10

Prep and Play

Blue Gray Gal

While a large kitchen footprint is helpful if you're considering dueling islands, it's not a must. Case in point? This elegant and petite space from designer Jessica Bradley touts two nearly identical slim islands with a breezeway in between.

Beautiful kitchens with an island - 135 best photos of kitchen interior design