Whether you're looking for more storage, counter space, or extra seating, a kitchen island is always a good solution.
17 Inspiring Kitchen Island Ideas
Updated on Oct. 03, 2024
1
/
17
Add Bookshelves
Home cooks unite! If you have more cookbooks than you know what to do with, a kitchen center island with integrated bookshelves is an excellent way to display your collection. If you’re DIYing this project, you can build a bookcase to integrate into your cabinets. Or, for a freestanding option, try this IKEA Kallax hack to create a unique storage solution,
What We Like About It: The books double as cozy kitchen decor, making the space more inviting and lived-in. Plus, it’s a good way to keep your favorite recipe books within easy reach.
2
/
17
Repurpose Something Old
Where space is at a premium, a repurposed dresser makes an ideal kitchen island. As virtually no construction is involved, it is one of many ways to give your kitchen a quick facelift. Look for dressers with deep drawers and interesting detail to make this idea work in your space.
What We Like About It: The rustic dresser injects a whole lot of character into a simpler kitchen. This idea is a great way for anyone (including renters) to take advantage of the extra space and elevated style an island can offer, with no building required.
3
/
17
Integrate Appliances into Your Kitchen Island
Integrating appliances such as a microwave, wine fridge, or dishwasher into a kitchen island can be a real space saver. And you can even install a sink to create an area that allows you to mingle when doing dishes.
Bellajdel recommends a small built-in fridge, explaining, “I love a built-in refrigerator drawer in islands. You can keep your most used ingredients in the same area you prep in and cut down on trips to the main fridge. For people who enjoy entertaining, it’s perfect for storing drinks and snacks, letting guests help themselves without crowding the cooking area.”
What We Like About It: Integrating appliances into your island can really help save precious counter and floor space that a microwave, extra fridge, or other appliance might eat up. We like that this island places the wine fridge closer to the entertaining area, so it’s less likely to get in the way of anyone working in the kitchen.
4
/
17
Extend Seating
An island with seating does double-duty in the kitchen. When you need to use all the counter space for food prep or hosting, it’s easy to move the seats out of the way. To delineate the “dining” area of an island, choose a narrow and long kitchen design and dedicate one end to seating.
What We Like About It: Kitchen island seating is usually casual and comfortable, and this island does it well. The seating choice (wood and rattan stools) make the seating area feel welcoming and unfussy compared to the rest of the prim kitchen.
5
/
17
Multiple Levels
From containing meal-prep to hiding a mess, a multi-level kitchen island provides the benefit of a counter area complete with a backsplash. A taller island section can also offer bar-height seating for guests. And with ample storage space beneath the island, you can implement some of these genius ideas for clearing kitchen clutter.
What We Like About It: The levels add visual interest to the island and make it the kitchen’s focal point.
6
/
17
Contrast Colors
Adding a kitchen island with a bold color is a fantastic way to add some pizzazz to your kitchen without a significant commitment. It can also be easy to change if you grow tired of the color. A new coat of paint or some peel-and-stick wallpaper is all it takes to transform your island anew.
What We Like About It: We like how the kitchen island color matches the accent wall in the next room; it really ties the space together despite the bold, contrasting hues in the kitchen.
7
/
17
A Place for Pets
Instead of placing pet food bowls along a wall where they can be tripped over or spilled, why not integrate them into your kitchen island? This provides a cute space just for your four-legged family members and keeps the mess out of the way, because we know you want to keep your pets safe and healthy.
What We Like About It: We’re always looking for creative ways to conceal pet accessories. A kitchen island nook does the job well, but still keeps bowls easily accessible for pets.
8
/
17
Meals on Wheels
Bellajdel says big benefits come with using a wheeled island, “For a smaller kitchen, I would recommend a mobile island. It’s there when you need it and you can easily put it out of the way when you don’t.”
Providing extra prep space, a movable island can be easily rolled away when not needed. For more ideas for working with a compact space, check out these small kitchen space-saving tips.
What We Like About It: Movable kitchen islands are suitable for everyone, including renters. They also come at a fraction of the cost of permanent versions, and you can shop them from various online retailers.
9
/
17
Repurpose a Table
A tall console or dining table can be put to use as a kitchen island. Just check that the height will be suitable for your kitchen. Top it off with a new stone or butcher-block top, and you’ll have a quick and easy kitchen storage solution.
What We Like About It: It’s easy; there’s no need to install anything new. If you’re using a table you already have lying around, this is an eco-friendly and budget-friendly idea too.
10
/
17
Build a Banquette
This brilliant idea pairs your existing dining table with a kitchen island—no wasted floor space here! If you don’t like kitchen island seating (tall chairs and stools just aren’t comfortable for some), this idea provides cozier seating that’s still near the kitchen island.
What We Like About It: If you’re working with a small kitchen, this is a great way to integrate the dining area and kitchen island. Banquette seating looks nicer than dining chairs if you’re working with a cramped space and need to place the seating against the island.
11
/
17
Hidden Storage
In every kitchen, there are ways to create hidden storage in unused spaces, like this island recycling center. Clever storage like this makes your kitchen function better and look much nicer too.
What We Like About It: No one likes looking at garbage or recycling bins. Even better than hiding them under the kitchen sink, this pull-out storage compartment has that practical wow-factor that will make you want to show it off to guests.
12
/
17
Add Electricity
When gathering your kitchen design ideas, don’t overlook the benefit of installing kitchen island electrical outlets in your kitchen center island. Jerome Bertuglia, interior designer and owner of Prime Homes, Inc. says “People often use islands as a charging station or place to plug in small appliances like blenders, food processors and mixers. Installing outlets in an island makes these devices easily accessible, minimizing cord clutter on the countertops.”
Also, check out these designer-approved light fixture ideas to brighten up your kitchen island.
What We Like About It: A few outlets makes the island an even better food prep area. If you use lots of small appliances in the kitchen, this is a must-have kitchen island upgrade.
13
/
17
Incorporate Curves
A curved island is distinctive, and when it’s done right like in this photo from @brepurposed, it’s very creates a graceful atmosphere. Curved details can soften the otherwise sharp lines and angles of most kitchens.
What We Like About It: The marble countertop, fluted sides, and columnar shape really captures the European-inspired aesthetic that was the inspiration behind this kitchen island.
14
/
17
Highlight mixed materials
Bertuglia is a fan of mixing materials, saying, “For a bold look, consider mixing materials like wood with stone. The contrasting textures and sheen create visual interest.” That’s exactly what @the_farmers_daughter7 does here, mixing concrete counters with a more traditional wood cabinet to make an eye-catching and bold island.
What We Like About It: Mixing materials is very common, but this island uses a less popular material (concrete) and highlights the natural beauty of the wood to create a high-contrast island.
15
/
17
Tile the island
Why do we tile kitchen backsplashes and not the island? It’s a great way to tie the kitchen island to the rest of the room (if you choose a matching tile). It adds a lot of visual detail, especially if you choose a tile with a pattern. But even if you go for a plain tile, like in this example from @stay.casita, the end result is still stunning.
What We Like About It: The tile’s style and color give this kitchen island a beachy vacation-home vibe that’s relaxed but looks upscale.
16
/
17
Waterfall kitchen island
Waterfall kitchen islands are popular for good reason — they look nice and make the island the statement piece in the middle of the kitchen. Continuing the same countertop material down the side is eye-catching has an air of subtlety, which makes it perfect for adding visual interest to minimalist kitchens. It looks just plain classy in this kitchen from @maisondemela.
What We Like About It: The waterfall island offsets the boldness of the rest of the green kitchen island and brings more of the beautiful marbled color to the room.
17
/
17
@rockyhedgefarm Out with the huge old island and in with this beauty! I will share more later when i get it styled and photographed! #rustickitchen #kitchenisland #rusticdecor #doublewidedream #mobilehomemakeover #diyproject #doublewidetofarmhouse #manufacturedhomes ♬ original sound – Rocky Hedge Farm
Rustic kitchen island with open storage space
If you’re worried about an island making a kitchen feel closed off, opt for one with open storage instead of traditional cabinets. The style in this video from @rockyhedgefarm is popular for rustic kitchens; it looks like a table at first glance, but has storage shelving underneath.
What We Like About It: The rustic, open look is unfussy and casual; exactly how an island should feel if you want it to be the everyday gathering spot of the kitchen.
About the Experts
- Malak Bellajdel is the in-house interior design expert at Interior Moderna. In 2023, she was recognized as one of Interior Design Magazine’s ’30 Under 30 Top Designers’.
- Jerome Bertuglia is an interior designer and the owner of Prime Homes, Inc.. He has been building luxury custom homes for over 30 years.
