Kitchen Island Decorating: Your Ideas Guide
Kitchen island decorating ideas.
The kitchen is one a high traffic area that requires functional design and decor to keep it as streamlined as possible. That being said – when it comes to kitchen island decorating, you don't have to sacrifice style for functionality. Use this guide to get inspired by our kitchen islands decorating ideas so that you too can learn to express yourself in your cooking space.
Kitchen Island Decorating
Your kitchen island is a functional workspace most commonly used for both food preparation and eating. For this reason, it is imperative that any kitchen island decorating balances practicality with style for the most successful end results. Any items you use should be well thought out so as to avoid clutter, and to ensure the final look is intentional and coordinated. Below are some of our favorite island decorating ideas, so read on if you want to be inspired.
1. Display Your Fruit
Kitchen island decorating can easily be accomplished with practical items that you wouldn't normally give a second thought to. A fruit bowl is a prime example of one of these objects. Keep it simple with a tiered stainless steel model to display your fresh seasonal fruit in.
Keeping to those more practical kitchenware items – a cutting board is another fantastic option for kitchen island decorating. If your island is one solid wood color, a matching cutting board is a fantastic choice to add to your prep space. Even when it is not in use, your board will never look out of place on the kitchen island.
Not only is stainless steel durable and easy to clean, but it can also elevate your kitchen by giving a professional and industrial look. To keep your kitchen island decorating to a cohesive theme, it is best to stick to a metallic color scheme. Take this opportunity to display your favorite stainless steel mixing bowls or other baking utensils. Add glass canisters or a cake stand for additional practical and modern looking decor pieces.
For kitchens with a more neutral or softer color scheme, you will want to try to keep your kitchen island decorating within that palette. Use one or two neutral vessels such as a tall white vase and a wood fruit or serving bowl to bring a little texture and depth without cluttering the space.
No matter what room of the house you are in, storage will always be important – especially in the kitchen. Use a woven basket or ceramic bowl for a simple and practical way to store your wallet, keys, and any other essentials in style. The beauty of kitchen island decorating is that more often than not, your pieces are likely to hit both the aesthetic and functional marks together.
Big kitchen islands don't need to rely solely on decor to be eye-catching. You can make a statement by using a dramatic mosaic tile on your kitchen island base. Pick colors from those tiles to bring out into the rest of your kitchen by way of unique bar stools and bold paint hues.
Use a decorative tray to corral a collection of curated objects for your kitchen island design. These small displays can easily be moved out of the way when you need to clean, require more space, or are looking to change out your decor. Just make sure not to overcrowd the tray to keep the display from looking uncluttered.
A glass vase is a fantastic way to avoid any visual obstruction, particularly if you are looking to keep your kitchen island decorating to a minimum and allow the focus to be on the island itself. If you are lucky enough to have a dramatic live-edge countertop, you don't want anything to detract from the raw beauty – which is why a clear vase filled with simple foliage is ideal.
To avoid physical and visual clutter altogether, focus your attention on paint instead of kitchen island decor. Pick a bright and cheery color like lemon yellow and use it not only on the base of your island, but across all the cabinetry in your kitchen to create a stunning display. Add a yellow wallpaper to bring the entire look together and complete that sunny theme.
Take your kitchen island decorating to the next level with matching furniture. Start by pairing a deep forest green island and a wooden fruit bowl. From there you can extend those colors into brown leather bar stools and a pot rack above the island where you can hang all your copper cookware. The end result will give your kitchen the type of luxe feel that comes straight out of a magazine.
Less is often more when it comes to kitchen island decorating. Begin with an all-white kitchen island as your foundation, and then start to layer simple decorative items. Try for a wooden tray and a white vase for some effortless elegance. You can then add brightly patterned upholstered bar stools with wooden legs for an unexpected pop of color.
If your countertop is made from granite or marble, consider layering it with textures to create a little visual interest. Embossed canisters with wood lids are a great conversation starter. Pick a small planter with fresh herbs or seasonal greenery next, and even it out with a quaint sugar bowl and creamer. If you are looking to add a few more vintage touches to your kitchen island decorating ideas, try stacking a few older books beneath some of your decorative items.
Show off your ingredients with an island cart that has open storage. Spice jars are the ideal island decorating pieces that intersect form and functionality. If you feel your countertop is a little lacking, you could always add a glass butter dish for a little flair.
Your kitchen island can lay the groundwork for the room theme. If you want to do a little kitchen island idea DIY, why not consider using wall paneling to clad the base? Paired with a few blue backless bar stools, you can create a distinctive coastal style that will effortlessly add elegance to your space.
Another easy way to create a cohesive theme is by purchasing a kitchen island set. If you want that modern farmhouse appeal, the contrast that comes from a black and brown steel and wood set will hit the mark. You can keep your kitchen island decorations to a minimum by displaying a cookbook and a vase of fresh flowers. If you are interested in more modern farmhouse decor, read Modern Farmhouse Furniture to Elevate Your Home.
Clean and decluttered are the two key elements to kitchen island decorating. If you prefer a sleek modern look, invest in a black kitchen island and dark metal and wood stools. A solid countertop with straight and simple lines would do well with a gold vase for an interesting metallic accent.
A smaller kitchen would benefit from a portable kitchen island or cart, as they can easily be rolled and stored out of the way to make more space whenever needed. In cases such as these, it is best to keep your kitchen island decorating to a minimum to allow that limited counter space to be usable at all times. A decorated tray can easily be stored away whenever you need to use the counter.
Create an eclectic space with a butcher block kitchen island. Use one or two classic decorative items like a wood cutting board and pastel fruit bowl filled with bright fruit for a centerpiece. Make sure to use vibrant hues throughout the kitchen to coordinate that diverse atmosphere.
Choose a wood island with industrial elements to create a striking centerpiece in your kitchen. With a more intricate design, and interesting details such as metal accents and wheels, or ample storage, you won't need to focus on kitchen island decorating as much as keeping the surface clear and attractive as a standalone piece.
If you consider yourself a wine aficionado, or an alcohol connoisseur, you might want to play around with the bottles in your kitchen island decorating ideas. Pick an island with wine storage so you can display your favorite vintages and even keep your best stemware on hand for a quick sip when you have people over. A glass vase will work well as a final matching piece.
Kitchen island decorating is by no means a difficult task. You need to start with a theme or idea and from there you can begin to layer and add the best decorative pieces to complete the look.
