Mobile island benches for kitchens
Kitchen Islands & Carts - Rolling, Metal, Butcher Block
Kitchen carts and islands are your best kitchen friendsNo man is an island, said English poet John Donne. Sure, that probably had nothing to do with stand-alone kitchen units. But when it comes to kitchen islands, that’s exactly what you want to be: stand-alone. Preferably in an open space. With lots of room to move around and do your thing. Just you, yourself, and your butcher’s block; ready to tackle your next tasty masterpiece.
Your very own (kitchen) island paradise!
In a small space or an open-plan design, the perfect kitchen island will do wonders for any home chef. It offers a vast area of use and will act as your new multifunctional best friend. Prepping, cutting, cooking, storing, and even dining has never been easier.
We have a variety of options to make sure you can find whatever suits your needs. Maybe you’re looking to add some extra workspace or storage? Or you want a nice unit for family and friends to gather around? No problem, there’s something here for everyone.
If you’re operating your way around a smaller kitchen, you might need some extra workspace or storage. Why not create a mini island using a utility cart? It’ll serve as a practical, space efficient feature in your kitchen, especially since you can move it around as you please.
Get a cart with just the shelves if storage is your primary focus. It’s a great place to keep everything from spices to steak knives. On the other hand, if you’re looking to add some workspace, you should get one with a tabletop as well. What about treating yourself to a cart with a butcher’s block countertop to bring some pro-chef quality to your kitchen? Bonus tip: kitchen carts with curved ends will create a better flow around your unit. That way, you can move around more freely without risking bumping into sharp edges.
Kitchen island units – love at first sightA kitchen island is a great way to combine everything you need in your kitchen.
Since it’s usually a larger unit, it can offer both storage and prep space, as well as an integrated dining area. With shelves beneath the tabletop, you’ll be able to hide much of your storage: from plates and cutlery to pots and pans. Add baskets to the shelves for a neater look with a better overview.
And since you can play around with bar stools, why not go all-in? Dare to make a statement with your stools, and your kitchen island will be the social center of attention. Make sure to pick the right size stools so that they can be tucked under the island top. That’ll give the unit a clean look and the chairs will take up less space.
Bang away at a butcher’s block countertopButcher blocks have been used by butchers for centuries. It’s a robust piece of wood, made for heavy-duty chopping. They’re also made to last, so they’ll endure most hardships that a home chef might put them through. Make sure to keep the block well-oiled, and it will serve as a loyal friend in your kitchen.
Now that you know how it works, it’s just a matter of choosing between a butcher’s block cart or a traditional kitchen island. They both have all the advantages we’ve already mentioned above, plus the durable surface. So, if you’re looking to impress with your prepping and chopping skills, you’re all set.
Once you have your workspace in order, make sure to also get all the kitchen utensils you need.
8 Best Kitchen Carts and Portable Kitchen Islands 2022
8 Best Kitchen Carts and Portable Kitchen Islands 2022 | The StrategistEvery product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.
Photo: Marcus McDonald
Photo: Marcus McDonald
There’s really no such thing as the “perfect” kitchen — there’s always too little countertop space, not enough cabinets, or a combination of the two.
This is where having a host of storage solutions comes in handy, like an over-the-sink dish rack or stackable containers for a prepper-like pantry. Though, no solution is probably as functional as a cart — not only can it hold everything you don’t have room for, it can double as an island to cook off of. Plus, you can roll it to wherever you like while you’re shuffling around making dinner. To find the best of the best, we consulted experts — including professional organizers, recipe developers, and a prop stylist — for the kitchen carts they rely on.
Best overall | Best for small spaces | Best (less-expensive) for small spaces | Best looking | Best with a stainless-steel top | Best with spice rack | Best with cabinet storage | Best (less-expensive) with cabinet storage
Material: Since these are kitchen carts we’re talking about — destined to be covered in tomato sauce and pancake mix — they should be relatively cleanable. Interior designer Liz Lipkin sums it up best: “Take inspiration from kitchen surfaces. Stainless steel, powder-coated steel, butcher-block, and quartz are all easy to care for.” Durable stainless steel can handle high temperatures, explains Elsa Elbert, founder of Composed Living. “You can’t beat steel when it comes to strength,” seconds Lisa Zaslow, owner of Gotham Organizers. “That’s why so many professional kitchens and gourmet shops use steel shelving.” Or you could go with heavy-duty woods such as maple or oak, says David Mason, owner of cabinet hardware business the Knobs Company. And plastic is always an option — this is what tiered trolleys are usually made from. You’ll also want to think about the aesthetics of it all.
“Matching your cart color to your cabinets will create a more cohesive look,” Lipkin suggests.
Design: Speaking of aesthetics, we considered the interplay between form and function with every cart. Several of our experts mentioned getting a cart that features cabinets or shelves to free up precious drawer space. Deciding between the two comes down to “whether you want to go for a more minimalist open-shelf concept or if you want closed doors to avoid visual clutter,” Elbert says. Wheels are another factor to think about — Zaslow recommends looking for those that can lock so your cart only rolls when you need it to (especially for uneven floorboards). Really, the right design is about, as prop stylist Cait Gury puts it, “what your existing space is lacking. Do you find yourself getting frustrated with a lack of meal prep space? Are you desperate for a little more storage?”
Size: The dimensions of a cart will determine whether it’ll actually fit into your kitchen. If you have a particular spot in mind, Elbert recommends marking those measurements with painter’s tape on the floor beforehand. Or you could follow one of Lipkin’s tips: Many countertops are around 36 inches tall, and you should find a cart that matches that height so it “looks more at home in your kitchen, better than a short one would.”
Ikea Råskog Utility Cart
$40
$40
Steel, polyester powder-coated | Three tiers, movable middle shelf, four adjustable castor wheels | 13.75” x 17.75” x 30.75”
The Raskog takes the “best overall” blue ribbon as the most-mentioned cart by far. Its utilitarian Scandinavian frame has endeared it to our experts, all of whom praise its versatility. “It’s the Ikea cart that’s doing the most in small-space kitchens across New York City,” explains Brittany Nims, associate director of e-commerce partnerships and business development at Vox Media. The “junk drawer on wheels,” as she describes it, has served her as a dumping ground for kitchen linens and cleaning supplies. Similarly, when Gury lived in a tiny Brooklyn apartment, the Raskog gave her much-needed (and cheap) storage space. Jammed with spice jars and rolling pins, she would “roll it up to the stove then tuck it away in a corner, post-cooking.” Mason recommends keeping it in a central location for easy access, organizing the shelves according to category, like serving supplies. Or use it as a martini-making station, as Vanessa Dina, author of The Art of the Bar Cart, does.
In our guide to the best bar carts, this won the title of “best bargain” with Dina applauding its durability.
$40 at Ikea
Buy
AmazonBasics Kitchen Rolling Microwave Cart
$65 now 8% off
$60
Chrome-plated steel, wood | Adjustable shelves, chrome hooks, smooth-rolling wheels | 15” x 36.7” x 21”
With a “kitchen that’s better described as a 22-square-foot closet,” Hannah Starke, a former member of the Strategist’s social team, uses this Amazon Basics storage cart. Originally she intended to use the butcher-block top as an extra counter for food prep, placing her microwave on top of her fridge — until her mother nixed that idea as a potential safety hazard.
Her microwave now sits on the top shelf with a blender, toaster, cast-iron skillet, colander, and portable dishwasher (phew) packed into the bottom racks. These racks can also be lowered or raised depending on how much storage you need.
$60 at Amazon
Buy
mDesign Portable Metal Rolling Laundry Cart
$40
$40
Steel | Four tiers, mesh-like shelf design, caster wheels | 17.3” x 6.7” x 38.3”
Billed as a laundry cart, this metal mDesign cart is a favorite of Nicole Abramovici, owner of Genius Organizing. It has one additional tier compared to our best overall pick.
“The more the better, especially when maximizing vertical space,” Abramovici says. You could even stock it with small appliances that aren’t used often but you don’t want to lose track of. It’s especially useful for those little items that you sometimes don’t know where to put, like bottles of supplements, she suggests.
$40 at Amazon
Buy
$40 at Target
Buy
Yamazaki Tower Rolling Utility Cart
$144
$144
Steel, synthetic rubber | Three shelves, handles, swivel caster wheels | 19.29” x 14.9” x 32.09”
Yamazaki has made appearances all over our archives — unsurprisingly, we heard about the brand for this story too.
This cart’s elegance is what initially attracted Jessie Sheehan, recipe developer and author of Snackable Bakes, to it. Not only does it feature clean lines, it comes with practical additions like hooks (for pot holders, tongs, or a fish spatula, she says) and handles that are equally as streamlined. Sheehan also likes how the modest cart disappears once filled, organized with smaller items up front and anything taller in the back. The cart also ended up being the best choice for her galley-style kitchen since it helps her easily roll equipment (especially her frequently used stand mixer) from one end to the other.
The Twillery Co. Miriam Rolling Kitchen Cart
$230
$230
Stainless steel, chrome finish | Metal basket-style shelves, removable wheels, side hooks | 36” x 38.
62”’ x 20’”
If you don’t mind something more industrial, consider the Miriam cart. It’s one that Gury frequently recommends to her own clients — her tip is to add touches like fresh flowers, fruit, or stacks of cookbooks to make the stainless steel feel more domestic. The cart includes three shelves (if you count the top), two of which mimic metal storage bins, with several hooks “for easy-to-grab items, like wooden spoons and dish towels, while cooking,” Gury says. And the Miriam comes with removable wheels, unlike others on our list — take them off to give the cart more of a kitchen-island look.
$230 at Wayfair
Buy
Hodedah Kitchen Island with Spice Rack
$230 now 62% off
From $88
Compressed wood | Spice rack, towel holder, one drawer, cabinet with two shelves | 15.5” x 44.9” x 35.2”
Aysegul Sanford, the food blogger behind Foolproof Living, directed us to this rolling island that has a specially designed shelf just for spices. It’s a space-saving solution to cluttering your countertop with seasonings — Sanford likes that she can add even more spices to the additional drawer space, which is “another essential that many other carts lack.” Along with this shelf and drawer, the cart comes with a dual-door cabinet. “The doors hide everything away,” she says, adding that the cupboard is where she keeps her air fryer. And when there are a number of cooks in the kitchen during dinner parties or family get-togethers, the cart’s top is sturdy (unlike others that rattle over time), making chopping on it much easier, Sanford explains.
From $88 at Amazon
Buy
$140 at Target
Buy
Red Barrel Studio Kuhnhenn Wide Rolling Kitchen Cart
$490
Mix of solid and manufactured wood | Three drawers, cabinet with three shelves, removable wheels, drop-leaf top, spice rack, towel rack | 36” x 53.5” x 18”
Though this Abramovici-approved Red Barrel Studio cart is similar to the Hodedah above, it offers a lot more storage. The Kuhnhenn acts as “basically another row of cabinetry,” Abramovici says. It’s tricked out with three drawers on one side and a two-door cabinet with three interior shelves that block the “visual noise” of mismatched plate stacks or countless food-storage containers with missing lids you don’t want out.
Her clients often like this cart for that very reason. Along with the top that doubles as a countertop space, the cart can be used as a table — there’s a drop-leaf hinge you can pull out.
$490 at Wayfair
Buy
Costway Kitchen Island 2-Door Storage Cabinet
$260
4.5 stars, 21 reviews
$260
Stainless steel, MDF | Three drawers, cabinet with three shelves, towel and bottle rack, smooth-rolling wheels | 53” x 18” x 36”
And as a more affordable alternative, Elbert recommends this Costway cart.
Like the one from Red Barrel Studio, this pick includes a combination of doors and drawers to configure in just about any way you’d like. The cabinet’s interior shelves are spacious enough for small appliances, while the drawers can hold silverware and other utensils, according to Elbert. All that room means you’ll have “easy access to the items you use all the time.” Although it’s on the larger side, Elbert assures us that it moves around without a problem.
$260 at Walmart
Buy
$500 at Target
Buy
A kitchen cart that comes with hooks for hanging utensils
$72
4.3 stars 198 reviews
Buy at Amazon
A big rolling shelving unit that doubles as a kitchen cart
A wire rolling cart readers have bought 946 times
$66
4.
7 stars 10,638 reviews
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• Nicole Abramovici, owner of Genius Organizing
• Vanessa Dina, author of The Art of the Bar Cart
• Elsa Elbert, founder of Composed Living
• Cait Gury, prop stylist
• Liz Lipkin, interior designer
• David Mason, owner of cabinet hardware business the Knobs Company
• Brittany Nims, associate director of e-commerce partnerships and business development at Vox Media
• Aysegul Sanford, food blogger behind Foolproof Living
• Jessie Sheehan, recipe developer and author of Snackable Bakes
• Hannah Starke, former member of the Strategist’s social team
• Lisa Zaslow, owner of Gotham Organizers
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Kitchen Island: 90 Kitchen Island Design Ideas with Photo
Kitchen Island, as you might guess from the name, is a working module, independent of the rest of the kitchen furniture.
This layout has many advantages: you can approach the working area from any side, cook at once with the whole family, and the usable area of \u200b\u200bthe kitchen increases. Here you can place not only a cooking area, but also storage shelves, a sink, a hob. The design of the kitchen island can be very different - our selection of ideas will allow you to feel all the delights of island life. nine0003
Johnny Gray Studios.
1. Smooth corners
Due to the fact that the corners are smoothed, there is much less space for walking around. Such a kitchen island made it possible to free up more space for the actual kitchen set.
Read more about the project with photo:
Artistic project in London Townhouse
J Witzel Interior Design
2. All the shelves
hung shelves usually “eat” the place and the mess at them is very stripped. In this kitchen, an island was used to store dishes and kitchen utensils, inside of which everything you need is located.
nine0003
Garde Hvalsoe
3. Everything in sight
Don't be put off by the open shelves inside the kitchen island - the color and shape of the dishes placed there can create a rhythmic pattern of the room.
Roundhouse
Redesign London Limited
6. Display
The open shelves inside the kitchen island can be decorative. Here you can build "showcases" in which indoor plants, vases of flowers and other decorations will be located. nine0003
Peden & Pringle Ltd
7. Multifunctional approach
Kitchen islands can be integrated with appliances such as a microwave, oven, dishwasher and even a wine cooler.
Adam Chandler Ltd
8. Spell
U-shaped kitchen island is very spacious: cupboards for storing dishes, a cooking area, a bar can be easily located here.
But for this option, you will need a fairly spacious kitchen so that you can freely approach the island. nine0003
Yuri Grishko
9. Inhabited island
In this small Moscow apartment (27 sq.m) there was simply no place for a full-fledged kitchen. Everything you need for cooking is contained in a kitchen island with a photo, household appliances are inside the stairs.
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT WITH PHOTO:
Tiny loft in the apartment of a designer girl
Die Wohnplaner GmbH
Guests and family members will be able to sit around and watch the cooking process. nine0003
J.A.S. Design-Build
11. Straightforward
Choosing a kitchen island sink depends on your needs and possibilities. If there is no dishwasher and the dimensions of the kitchen allow, install a spacious sink.
SEE ALSO…
Which sink to choose for your kitchen and why?
Neptune by Donndorf Weimar (D) I by 3F Zürich (CH)
12. In the solids
If the sink and hob are next to each other on the kitchen island, take care of the insulation in advance: moisture must not get on the electrics. nine0003
Hill Farm Furniture Ltd
13. Unbearable lightness
Kitchen island hob requires extractor fan. The designers of this kitchen have found an alternative to heavy models - an extractor hood disguised as a chandelier.
Read more about the project with photo:
New Country MEBLE with a limited budget
JaureGui Architecture Interiors Construction
14. The thorough approach is the ideal option for the cuisine in the rustic style-solid kitchen, with solid wood, with ardent.
legs and drawers for storage, as well as with a high table top. nine0003
Hopedale Builders, Inc.
15. Natural product
Rustic style implies a combination of natural materials - wood, metal, stone - as in this example.
SEE ALSO…
Quiz: Which Style of Kitchen Would You Like
Paul Craig Photography
16. Expanding Your Horizons
Don't be afraid to mix things up. In this London apartment, the modern kitchen nook is expanded with a long Victorian table. nine0003
SUBU Design Architecture
17. Loft style
This kitchen island is a good example of loft style. Its legs are made from waste water pipes, the tabletop is from old boards.
Chalet
18. Unity of opposites
The kitchen island in the photo is made in contrast: marble top, wooden base.
SEE ALSO…
Hardware: Kitchen worktop overview
LPASSE DESIGN
19. Provence
The kitchen island in this French home is made from rough metal counters, zinc countertops, old boards. The boards were selected individually: the drawing of each of them had to become part of the overall composition.
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT WITH PHOTO:
In Provence, a tree in honor
Yvonne McFadden LLC
20. At a height of
The first option is convenient for cooking. nine0003
Lauren Levant Interior
21. Getting fit
In this example, the kitchen island is not the usual rectangular shape. It follows the shape of the wood from which the countertop is made.
Altius Design Group
22. Celestial body
The crescent-shaped kitchen island is multifunctional: the outside serves as a dining area, while the inside serves as a work area.
BARRETT STUDIO architects
23. Fit in the circle
The whole island or just the tabletop can be made with a crescent moon. The latter option is more economical, since a rectangular base is more common.
John Kraemer & Sons
24. In the spotlight
The work area is best placed in the center of the kitchen island so that guests and household can watch the cooking process like a performance on stage.
Treyone
25. Stand firmly on your feet
The highlight of this kitchen island is the unfinished solid wood legs. nine0003
Martha O'Hara Interiors
26. Highlights
A discreet kitchen island can stand out: upholstered bar stools set the right accents.
SEE ALSO…
How to choose fabric for new upholstery
27.
Purity of experiment
Since the work and dining areas are combined on the kitchen island, it is necessary to provide an exhaust hood above the hob. It must be the same or larger than the panel size. nine0003
Matt Podesta
28. Size matters
If the island hood is smaller than the hob, there is a good chance that grease will settle on the kitchen island.
29. Passing moment
It is also important to set the correct width of the passages between the kitchen island and the set. To ensure that nothing interferes with your movements, they should be at least 1-1.2 m.
Kim Duffin for Sublime Luxury Kitchens & Bathrooms
30. Keep level
A kitchen island can have a multi-level structure: the work area should be on the same level as the kitchen set, and the dining area should be slightly higher.
Brayer Design
31.
Lifebuoy
A round or oval kitchen table is preferable, even if the island itself is rectangular.
Orchid Newton ltd
32. Separately
The kitchen table can either be integrated into the island or stand alone. In this example, a notch has been made for it in the island. nine0003
Russell Taylor Architects
33. Mirror Reflection
The designers of this London kitchen used mirrors to design the island. So the room was filled with additional, reflected light.
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT WITH PHOTO:
Metamorphoses of the King George Hospital
Kitchen Architecture Ltd
In this kitchen, it is only needed at night. During the day, the room is filled with light from the top and side windows. nine0003
Roundhouse
35. High level
It is better to pick up bar stools for the island table - as the height of the island is oriented towards cooking, which takes place while standing.
Paul Craig Photography
36. A level below
In this example, the designers placed the table below the work area. The table top is built into the drawers of the island at the usual table height.
37. Light at different levels
The dining area in this kitchen island is higher than the work area: this difference is reflected in the height of the pendant lights. nine0003
38. Three in one
This kitchen island consists of three modules of different heights - table, work area and shelving. This gives dynamics to an overly homogeneous interior.
Alexander White
39. Flow
The kitchen island can flow seamlessly into the dining table, just like in this Stockholm home.
Julia Solovieva | Studio SJull
40. Mobile bar counter
In this Moscow apartment, the kitchen island is complemented by a mobile bar counter made of wood, which can be pulled out only when necessary.
nine0009
Design: Julia Solovieva
Wiedemann Werkstätten
MCDESIGN
42. Mobile version
In the kitchen there is a risk of constantly bumping into chairs and hitting them. Stools are more compact and mobile.
SEE ALSO…
Stool as a compact alternative to everything
The Brooklyn Home Company
43. Save space
The stool fits easily under the kitchen island - a real find for a small kitchen.
Emilie Castille-Architecture Intérieure&Décoration
44. We sit well
The length of the island table top is usually made at the rate of 60 cm per seater.
45. Get down to business
In this Berlin home, the staircase flows into the kitchen island countertop, creating a striking white accent. nine0003
mo+ architekten
46. Convertible island
This convertible island with sliding bench saves space in the kitchen.
SEE ALSO…
Basement kitchen? - Why not!
Artichoke
47. Two is better
Well, if the dimensions of the kitchen allow, why limit yourself to one island? They can be divided functionally: make a working area on one, and a dining area on the other.
R.Z.Owens Constructions
48. Multi-directional lighting
Guided track lights are ideal for creating local lighting on a kitchen island. You can alternate different lighting scenarios, highlighting a particular area.
FTF interior
49. A winning combination
You can combine different types of kitchen island lighting: spots for the work area, pendants for the dining area.
Design: FTF Interior
Breathe Architecture
50. Broken lines
The shape of this kitchen island echoes the backsplash pattern: broken lines, transitions from light to dark.
Read more about the project with photo:
Space Transformations in Cozy House
Go to the next page
Aleksandra Fedorova Bureau
51. Hide from the eyes
in this Moscow cuisine all household appliances are hidden from prying eyes: large - in the cabinets, the smaller one - in the kitchen island. nine0003
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT WITH PHOTO:
Smart glass, suspended wall and snow-white minimalism
Luigi Rosselli Architects
You can achieve this effect with small means: for example, choosing the same dark color for the floor and the base of the kitchen island.
Jane Howell Interiors
53. From any direction
The convenience of a kitchen island is that you can approach it from any direction, you are free to move while cooking. nine0003
Lucy G Printed Image Splashbacks
54. Work triangle
The main thing is that the island helps to create the right work triangle : you can take food from the refrigerator, wash/cut, and then cook on the hob.
Architectural workshop za bor
55. Individual approach
Your individuality should be visible in everything. The owner of this Moscow apartment, an architect, designed and implemented the kitchen island project himself. nine0003
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT WITH PHOTO:
Mobile space by architect Petr Zaitsev
Esther Hershcovich
not necessary.
Sustainable Kitchens
57. Driving!
In small kitchens, the island may not be stationary, but mobile, on wheels. It is easy to slide in when not in use. nine0003
aegis interior design ltd
Incorporated
59. Nice addition
The island on wheels can be moved up to the kitchen countertop at any time, thereby expanding the work area space.
Arciform
60. Plus one
The kitchen island on wheels can consist of several modules, the combinations of which will depend on the work to be done.
Colin Cadle Photography
61. Multitasking
Kitchen island on wheels can perform several functions in addition to the main one. For example, its can be used as a coffee table or serving trolley.
Bruce Kading Interior Design
62.
Small and bold
A big kitchen doesn't need a big island: there should be just enough space for the cutting area.
Paris-Bruxelles
Webb & Brown-Neaves
64. Through fire, water and copper pipes
Remember that if you plan to use a kitchen island with a sink or stove, you will have to slightly raise the floor to connect the communications.
THE GOOD GUYS
65. Young and green
In this Australian home, greenery grows right on the kitchen island: a special opening in the countertop was provided for this at the design stage.
66. Back support
In this example, the kitchen island not only separates the work area from the dining area, but also serves as a backrest for the bench. nine0003
Fast Forward Unlimited
67. Top of the line
The island's L-shape made it possible to combine it with the kitchen nook.
The only drawback is that the guests will sit with their backs to the cook.
68. Pure truth
When combining the island and the kitchen sofa, it is important to provide protection against steam and grease - for example, make a good hood. As an option - removable covers that can be washed.
SEE ALSO…
Sitting Well: How to rethink the kitchen nook
Blakes London
69. Contrast
A kitchen island can be a bright accent if you don't have the courage to use bright colors throughout the kitchen.
Melton Design Build
70. Everything in moderation
But you need to be careful with catchy details, otherwise there is a risk of overkill. But in this neutral kitchen, an island with bright tiles does not look too flashy.
Carole Hunter Home Design
71.
Like a canvas
The designer of this kitchen was inspired by Mondrian's canvases and the idea of primary colors. But not just copying his work, but trying to achieve color balance.
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT WITH PHOTO:
Mondrian-inspired kitchen
Markus Hierhager Innenarchitektur
nine0003
73. Breaking stereotypes
A black and white palette is by no means a boring solution: play with shapes, lines, levels.
SUPERGRAU
74. Make it dark
Black is said to reduce space. However, he is also able to make even a very simple interior expensive and status. Jan Showers nine0003
Australian Interior Design Awards
76. All-metal shell
This kitchen island's steel façade is a dramatic but impractical option: scratches are inevitable.
Design By Us Interior
77.
Valuable item
The kitchen island's gold finish does not look outrageous or out of place in this simple interior: it harmonizes with parquet and hangings.
mckimm residential design
Standal Interiorismo + Reforma Integral
79. Maximum load
In this Barcelona apartment, the kitchen island is multifunctional: there is a stove, extractor hood, refrigerator and even a radiator. And on the back side, in the closet, is hidden ... a study.
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT WITH PHOTO:
Modular space in bright colors
Look Design Group
80. Working time
A small working area can be located on the kitchen island itself. Just be sure to protect against splashes, steam and grease. nine0003
LATOON / BRASS design office
81.
Artificial selection
Kitchen island LED lighting doesn't always look cold. With its help, you can create a very cozy atmosphere, as in this Yekaterinburg apartment.
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT WITH PHOTO:
50 shades of white and the play of artificial light
Roundhouse
82. LED strip
In addition to the main illumination of the working area of the island, try local lighting of the island. For example, experiment with an LED strip like in this example. nine0003
Read also ...
Light force: what do you really need to know about the backlight
MAL Corboy Design
IMPALA KITCHOROMS
BUTler Architects
85. Foreign Combine Japanese style: nothing superfluous and random, only necessary and simple furniture. Kitchen island - no sharp corners, only smooth lines and shapes.
Ashgrove Kitchens
86. In full sail
You can approach the design of the kitchen in an original way: choose an island in the form of a ship, on the mast of which you will place shelves, and in the hold - sections for storage.
DiMauro Architects, Inc.
87. Full speed ahead
The ship-island can cause difficulties. For example, special bar stools were selected for this kitchen, repeating the shape of the side.
Space Fitting Furniture Ltd
88. Atypical shape
The atypical shape of the kitchen island - without corners, smoothly flowing from the working area to the dining area - will save space.
Paul Craig Photography
89. Flying Saucer
The sterile white color of the flying saucer-like island blends well with the cosmic interior of this kitchen.
Charlotte Raynaud Studio - Design & Espaces
Garden benches: photo ideas for beautiful benches, views, how to choose and where to put a garden bench
If in the literal sense the shady corners of the garden are really a good place to relax, then in the figurative sense the benches are worthy to "come out of the shadows into the light".
Let's figure out the algorithm for choosing the perfect garden bench.
ElitPark
Where to put a bench in the garden?
Provide a beautiful view
To fill the pause with beauty, take care of the view from the garden bench. The expressive landscape in front of your eyes enhances the effect of relaxation many times over. And where, if not in such a place, to put benches in the garden! Of course, not every site has views like in these photos, but “in your own kingdom” there are definitely corners that are especially close to your heart, be it a carefully mowed lawn, a flower garden or a pond. nine0003
Colin Cadle Photography
The well-known "trio for contemplation" will tell you the most popular views: hearths, ponds and other places for family creativity. The result of the work, by the way, is no less pleasant to watch than the process. Here and place garden benches!
It is good if a wide plane or perspective spreads before the eyes.
Therefore, garden benches are often placed in front of a spacious lawn and pond. The path going into the distance is also a classic technique. Shrubs will divide the space into plans. If the site is relief, then an elevation or terrace is also a great place, giving a wide view and an unusual view. With a significant difference in terrain, take care of safety - the platform for the bench should be flat, it is advisable to provide a fence. nine0003
Bertrand Landscape Design
If private conversation is closer to the breadth of the landscape, boldly turn the garden benches towards each other. Or here's an arch with a bench for the garden: two benches made of wood are complemented by a pergola - and you get an excellent replacement for a gazebo for solitary communication.
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Sue Hayward Garden Design Ltd
Narrow places for benches are also suitable.
But here they do not perform an overview role, but solve functional problems and serve as a rhythmic organization of space. To improve the view, place decorative panels or lamps on the wall opposite the bench, or plant climbing plants. nine0003
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Sue Hayward Garden Design Ltd
Protect the Home Front
more calmly when he has a reliable support behind him. Ideally, this is not only the back: when deciding how to put a bench, many choose a place near a wall or fence. A high wall encloses the bench at the back, while a garden bench decorates the monotonous plane. Ideal neighborhood! In addition, a wide lawn or garden is usually spread out in front, which means that the task of review is also solved. nine0003
Any bench can be placed near the wall. Openwork forms, forged or wooden, look very beautiful here. And especially the contrasting color.
Then the ornamental pattern of the back and the bends of the legs will stand out with an elegant decor against the background of the wall. Ornamental panels or lattices in the chosen style and with similar motifs (made of wood or metal) will be a good addition.
But you can go further and make the bench literally part of the wall. Such built-in elements make large planes more plastic and interesting. To implement such an example, concrete, stone and brick fences are most suitable. But there is a more economical way - by pouring the foundation and the base for the fence, make it wider, and choose a height that is comfortable for sitting - 40-45 cm. From above, it remains to mount the fence that you have planned. It will become the back for the resulting built-in bench in the garden. nine0003
The same technique can also be used for retaining walls. It is especially convenient when it partially encloses a recreation area. Only the back of such a built-in bench will be lower.
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Retaining Walls: How to Use Them on Difficult Terrain
Sisson Landscapes
However, there are exceptions to this rule. Island garden benches are as common as island sofa groups in the living room. They serve the same tasks of zoning the garden, and to make it more comfortable to sit, take care of a significant height of the back. nine0003
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Brittany (aka Pretty Handy Girl)
How to Decorate a Garden Bench?
Use a hedge
The boundary wall does not have to be architectural. Green walls will make the image even more atmospheric. The hedge is a beautiful backdrop: put your garden benches here!
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Lanson B.
Jones & Co, Inc.
A sheared hedge or trellis paired with a carved metal or stone bench immediately sets the tone for a classic look. This technique is an easy way to express your sympathy for the regular style of garden architecture. And by the way, it is absolutely not necessary to enclose the entire site with a hedge: a small fragment will do. If you cut it in the shape of the back, as in the photo above, the greenery will be an elegant continuation of the bench. nine0003
Jane Harries Garden Designs
Loose bushes at the back create a more relaxed and romantic mood. Large lush shrubs perform well in this role, especially flowering ones: lilac, hydrangea, weigela, mock orange and others. Do not forget about thickening trimmings so that their lower part is not exposed.
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You can enhance the effect if you surround the bench with greenery from three sides at once, placing it, as it were, in a green niche.
This technique is suitable for closed lawns surrounded by shrubs. In one place of the curtain, you can make a partial gap to accommodate the bench. nine0003
Arteza
And to create a backstage space, select a small area surrounded by greenery, as in the photo, and place garden benches on it. At the same time, the path can pass through the site, creating a small space for relaxation, or end with such a secluded corner.
A very cozy and easy to implement example of a secluded area can be seen in this photo. A dry stream, a bench surrounded by bushes and a large stone as a bridge - and you can relax, as if on an island in the middle of a forest stream. nine0003
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Schmechtig Landscapes
An intermediate option between open and wall placement will be such a symbolic barrier of trees growing behind the bench.
Their height separates this seating area from the surroundings, and the slender trunks maintain visual permeability. In this example, garden benches most likely work in pairs: judging by the photo, the bench probably has a duplicate opposite. On the one hand, symmetry in this composition by the way. On the other hand, these flowering trees seem to be created for contemplation. nine0003
ElitePark
Complete the bench with a canopy
A light canopy with a wooden or metal frame will create additional comfort and protect from rain and sun. A pergola entwined with vines will make this corner especially atmospheric. Choose the shape and material of the canopy according to your preferences: a fabric awning, transparent polycarbonate on a forged base, or something else. You can purchase a ready-made combined version of a bench with a canopy or build it yourself. nine0003
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Noble Garden
Placing a bench under a tree is a classic, but also twofold technique.
For one thing, ripe cherries will fall right into your mouth. Although it is possible - and opening (right on the head). Besides, where there are trees, there are birds. But at the same time, the rustling crown creates a cozy living shadow and a unique touch of romance. And the horizontal wooden trellis, as in the photo, turns the bench under the tree into a real living gazebo. nine0003
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Home Sweet Flowers
Decorate with plantings
Another combination option and the alternative to Pergerela in the bench from the bench - built -in caspoles. Long flower boxes can be built into the backrest or completely replace it. If desired, rather deep planters can also be built into garden benches: say, one large or several small ones. nine0003
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Society of Garden Designers (SGD)
A fruit bush that complements the bench will provide your rest with fresh berries.
And a bench with a lawn, as in this photo, looks innovative and environmentally friendly. For a private area, you can use a smaller size. The moss in the photo below creates a similar effect and emphasizes the extremely simple lines of a minimalist bench.
Bertrand Landscape Design
If the garden benches are not equipped with any built-in elements, feel free to place the pots on top of them. And around too. This is a spectacular and easy to implement way of seasonal decor. In this role, you can use annuals or even indoor flowers.
Remember the usefulness and convenience
The simplest and most common advice is to place benches where they are needed. These are the places where you need to put things (at the entrance to the house or the entrance to the site, near the garage or greenhouse). Or these are spaces where physical relaxation may be needed - on long paths, in the garden, near the workshop or kitchen.
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Cording Landscape Design
Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates
Idea: To brighten up your tea break, complement your bench with a small table, mobile or stationary.
For comfortable seating, use cushions with moisture-repellent impregnation. Outdoor furniture and benches are often made openwork. And not only for beauty - it is easier for water to drain from them. These pillows are essential. They will not destroy lightness, but they will significantly increase comfort. Stone and concrete benches can also be complemented with wooden seats. nine0003
It's never a bad idea to look under your feet. Even if you are sitting. If we are to create a corner for relaxation, then the legs should be pleasant. Fine sand in front of the bench will remind you of a warm beach, and soft grass will give you coolness. When placing a bench on the lawn, make sure it is stable and passable, otherwise ugly bald spots cannot be avoided.
In addition to tactile pleasantness, the area in front of the bench serves as zoning and decoration. Highlight it from the surrounding paving material and pattern. Or even depict a bright impromptu rug. nine0003
Waihi Metal Studio
How to choose a garden bench?
Play with the shapes
The strategies for combining materials and incorporating them into the natural environment are the same as for garden furniture.
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Furnishing the lawn: 8 strategies for decorating the landscape with furniture
And the form is no less variable. Between the traditional wooden bench and the intricate stone carvings, there are many other options for the materials and design of the benches. Sculptural forging looks very impressive. This, of course, is not the most budget option, but such an accent is unusually expressive and, by and large, can do without additions.
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ElitPark
Natural materials - traditional wood, solo or combined with untreated boulders, as in this photo - are more than appropriate in the landscape. And available for independent work. If you like to surround yourself with man-made objects, feel free to get down to business.
Home & Garden Design, Atlanta - Danna Cain, ASLA
The bench does not have to be straight. Curved shapes emphasize natural plasticity, repeat relief lines or serve zoning tasks. An arc bench is a traditional technique for decorating a zone around a hearth. And the reverse bend, as in the photo, leaves behind this rather simple bench a place for a lush high flower garden or shrubs. In this example, the sculptural figures of fairy-tale animals serve as supports, which emphasize the general imagery of the house and landscape. However, such a bench will be good in an even more concise solution - thanks to the lush plant background.
