25 Best Kitchen Island Ideas You’ll Want to Copy
Kitchen islands can be both functional and beautiful. From extra counter space and additional seating to extra storage and display, a kitchen island is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture you can incorporate into your space. But before you start shopping for a kitchen island, it’s important to consider your kitchen layout, the size of your space, and your storage needs.
Once you have a clear understanding of these considerations, you can start browsing kitchen island ideas that will work for your space. Whether you’re looking for a kitchen island with seating, a kitchen island with a stove, or a kitchen island with a sink, you’ll find plenty of inspiration with the following kitchen island ideas.
1. Try a Contrasting Island
This kitchen designed by Dries Otten proves that a bold pop of color can make a huge statement. The kitchen island is painted in a high-gloss blue, and the color is reflected in the walls and the chairs, too.
The white marble countertop and the gold cabinet pulls keep the space looking elegant and sophisticated.
2. Try an Island Made from Salvaged Materials
If you’re thinking of adding a kitchen island, consider using salvaged materials to create it. In this kitchen designed by Leanne Ford, the island is made from a vintage cabinet and a slab of marble. “I love a kitchen island to feel like a piece of furniture that is unexpected,” Ford says. “It has to be a wow moment, but also feel like it was always meant to be there.”
3. Try a Vibrant Kitchen Island
A bright blue island is the perfect pop of color in this open, airy kitchen.
The island’s open shelves keep the space feeling light and airy, while the bright blue paint brings a ton of energy.
4. Try a Kitchen Island with a Sink
If you have the space and budget, a kitchen island with a sink is a luxurious touch. Not only does it provide a spot for food prep and washing, but it also allows for more than one person to work in the kitchen at a time.
This kitchen island in a space designed by Emily Henderson features a sink and a dishwasher to the right of the sink. The island also features a faucet, so it can be used as a drink station or for filling pots with water.
5. Try a Kitchen Island with Seating
If you have a large kitchen, a kitchen island with seating can be a great way to add space for dining. This kitchen designed by Studio DB has a large island with built-in seating.
The long bench is upholstered in a durable white vinyl, while the other side of the table has a set of chairs. The table has a marble top that overhangs the cabinetry, making it easy for people to sit on the stools.
6. Try a Kitchen Island with a Butcher Block Top
If you’re a big cook, you know how important it is to have a durable countertop. This kitchen island has a butcher block top, which is perfect for any home chef.
Plus, the wood adds a nice contrast to the rest of the white and black kitchen.
7. Try a Kitchen Island with a Stove
If you’re looking for a way to incorporate a stove into your kitchen island, consider a design like this. The island is set apart from the rest of the kitchen and has a custom range.
This allows the cook to feel like they’re in their own little space while still being close to the action.
8. Try a Kitchen Island with an Oven
If you love to cook and bake, a kitchen island with an oven is a must. This kitchen by Kellie Franklin Design features a built-in double oven right in the middle of the island for easy access.
The sleek, black island with gold hardware and a white countertop is a showstopper and the perfect place to bake a cake or cook dinner.
9. Try a Kitchen Island with Open Shelving
This kitchen designed by Hecker Guthrie is bursting with character—from the hand-painted tiles to the open shelving. The island is also equipped with open shelving on the side to break up the space and give the homeowners an easy place to grab their most-used cooking tools.
10. Try a Kitchen Island with Hidden Storage
If you have a lot of kitchen gadgets and cookware, consider a kitchen island with hidden storage. In this kitchen designed by Emil Dervish, the large island has cabinets and drawers that tuck everything away.
The marble waterfall countertop helps to hide any unsightly marks or scratches that may occur on the island.
11. Try a Kitchen Island with a Built-In Fridge
This kitchen designed by Arent & Pyke is all about the hidden details. The island is actually a bespoke design with a built-in fridge and a marble waterfall edge. The stools are from Mark Tuckey.
12. Try a Kitchen Island with a Wine Fridge
If you’re a wine aficionado, consider adding a wine fridge to your kitchen island. This setup by Studio McGee is the perfect example of how to incorporate one.
A wine fridge is a great way to add a little luxury to your kitchen island, and it’s a feature that’s sure to impress your guests. Plus, it’s a great way to keep your favorite bottles at the perfect temperature.
13. Try a Kitchen Island with a Prep Sink
This expansive kitchen island in a kitchen by K Welch Homes is the perfect place to gather. Along with the seating area, there’s a prep sink, which makes it easy to rinse off fruits and veggies or fill pots with water.
The large island is also a great place to serve food buffet-style or family-style. “It’s not an eat-in kitchen, but it’s a great place to serve meals,” says K Welch Homes. “I love the idea of serving dinner on the island, and everyone can take their plates to the table or a comfortable chair.”
14. Try a Kitchen Island with a Cutting Board
If you’re a fan of the butcher block countertop trend, let us introduce you to this kitchen island idea. Instead of using butcher block as the countertop, add a large cutting board to the top of your kitchen island.
This is a great way to add a pop of color to your kitchen if you choose a wood cutting board with a rich, warm tone. And, of course, it’s functional, too.
15. Try a Kitchen Island with a Mixer Lift
If you’re a baker, you know how heavy stand mixers can be. They also take up a lot of counter space. This kitchen designed by Emily Henderson features a built-in lift for the mixer in the kitchen island, so you can easily store it and use it when you need it.
16. Try a Kitchen Island with a Trash Pull
If you’re looking to make your kitchen more functional, it’s all about the details. This kitchen island has a trash pull to the right of the sink, so you can easily dispose of any scraps while you’re cooking.
Plus, the pull-out feature means you don’t have to worry about an unsightly trash can taking up space in your kitchen or having to open and close a cabinet door every time you need to throw something away.
17. Try a Kitchen Island with a Pet Feeding Station
If you have a pet, you know that feeding them in the kitchen can be a messy task. But with a built-in pet feeding station, your furry friend can eat without making a mess.
This kitchen island in a Florida home by designer Tammy Connor features a built-in pet feeding station with a stainless steel bowl and a wood top that matches the rest of the island.
18. Try a Kitchen Island with an Appliance Garage
This kitchen designed by Studio DB is a great example of how to add an appliance garage to your kitchen island. This is a great way to keep your most-used appliances, like a coffee maker or toaster, accessible without cluttering your countertop.
The cabinet door lifts up so you can easily access everything you need, and then close the door to keep things looking neat and tidy.
19. Try a Kitchen Island with a Cookbook Nook
If you love to bake, you know that cookbooks are a must-have in the kitchen. And if you have a collection of cookbooks, you’ll want to take a cue from this stunning kitchen by Studio McGee and incorporate a cookbook nook into your kitchen island.
This is a great way to keep your cookbooks in the kitchen without taking up valuable counter space. Plus, it adds a decorative touch to the island.
20. Try a Kitchen Island with a Breakfast Bar
If you love the idea of a kitchen island, but you don’t have a ton of room to work with, consider a breakfast bar. This option is a bit smaller and can even be used in an apartment.
The best part is that it’s still a great place to prep food and socialize.
21. Try a Kitchen Island with a Cantilevered Countertop
A cantilevered countertop is a great option if you want to incorporate seating into your kitchen island, but don’t want to take up too much space. This type of countertop extends past the base of the island, but is supported by braces or legs.
In this kitchen designed by Kelsey Leigh Design Co., the cantilevered countertop provides extra space for stools without taking up too much square footage. The waterfall edge on the countertop looks extra sleek and modern.
22. Try a Kitchen Island with a Waterfall Countertop
If you’re going for a modern look, consider a waterfall countertop. The design makes the island look like it’s floating, and it’s a great way to add some drama to your kitchen.
In this kitchen designed by Alys Design, the dark wood island with the marble countertop is the perfect place to prep and cook. The open shelving on the back allows for easy access to dishes and keeps the space from feeling too closed off.
23. Try a Kitchen Island with a Farmhouse Sink
A large kitchen island with a farmhouse sink is perfect for entertaining. It’s also a great way to break up a long run of cabinets and drawers.
If you’re looking to add a pop of color, a bold blue island is a great way to make a statement in an all-white kitchen.
24. Try a Kitchen Island with a Marble Countertop
Marble countertops are a timeless choice for any kitchen design, but they look especially stunning on a kitchen island. The natural stone adds an elevated touch to the space and pairs beautifully with the wood cabinets in this kitchen designed by Corey Damen Jenkins.
Marble is a porous material, so it does require some upkeep. Jenkins says you’ll want to seal it about once a year to prevent staining.
25. Try a Kitchen Island with a Double Tier
This kitchen by KLM Kitchens, Baths and Floors has a double-tiered island that’s perfect for a breakfast bar. The higher tier is at the perfect height to slide some stools under and create a cozy place to enjoy a morning coffee.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a gourmet chef or a takeout aficionado, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of counter space on your kitchen island. This one has a built-in sink, cutting board, and storage for knives and other kitchen supplies.
