Upgrade Your Kitchen: 13 Kitchen Island Ideas
Take your kitchen layout to the next level – no renovation required.
Installing additional cabinet and countertop units in your kitchen can be a costly and time-consuming process. Save yourself the effort and opt for a kitchen island instead. With options available that can provide ample countertop space, storage space, and even dining space, you're sure to find a kitchen island that suits your unique needs. Need a little inspiration? We've collected 10 kitchen island ideas to help you get started.
Think your kitchen is too small for a kitchen island? Skip to this section for three small kitchen island ideas that may change your mind.
Learn more about kitchen islands by checking out our Kitchen Island Designs & Dimensions guide.
10 Kitchen Island Ideas
1. Customize Your Setup with a Wheeled Kitchen Island Cart
A kitchen island cart on wheels allows you to transform your kitchen space according to your needs. With a portable kitchen island, countertop space can be available anywhere and everywhere you need it. Simply position the island cart where you need it and lock its wheels in place for an instant update to your kitchen layout. If you have a smaller kitchen, a kitchen island cart on wheels can help you save space when you need it – you can roll it aside when it's not in use to open up your kitchen.
Think of a kitchen island as the centerpiece of the kitchen – much like the centerpiece of a dinner table, a well-designed kitchen island can make a bold statement. Rather than choosing a kitchen island that matches the design of your kitchen cabinets, consider one that will stand out, like the bright blue kitchen island above. A bold base color or countertop material can go a long way in a kitchen with a more neutral palette. A brightly colored kitchen island can be the perfect addition to a kitchen that is already decorated with patterned tiles or textiles.
3. Lighten the Look of Your Kitchen with a Solid-Wood Island
Solid-wood kitchen islands don't have to be bulky; in fact, a simple solid-wood kitchen island can be the perfect addition to a breezy coastal kitchen. Opt for a kitchen island with exposed legs and minimal additional features to ensure that it doesn't weigh down the open-air appearance of your kitchen layout.
4. Use a Kitchen Island for Casual Dining
One of the wonderful things about a kitchen island is that it can be used for a wide variety of functions, including dining. If your kitchen lacks a bar with seating or if you'd like to create a cozy, casual dining area, a kitchen island with a breakfast bar feature is your solution. Paired with a set of bar stools, your kitchen island can become the go-to spot to grab a quick bite in the morning or have a laid-back drink in the evening.
If you're an avid chef or baker, a kitchen island with a stainless steel countertop can be the kitchen addition you've been looking for. Waterproof, heatproof, and stain-proof, stainless steel is the perfect material on which to prepare a wide variety of culinary creations with minimal cleanup afterwards. Plus, its sleek, reflective surface can make your kitchen appear larger and brighter. A kitchen island with a stainless steel top is a great choice for a contemporary or industrial kitchen design.
Choose a kitchen island with a countertop material and base design that matches those of your existing kitchen countertops and cabinets to instantly create a seamless extension to your kitchen. Even if the kitchen island design you choose is on the bulkier side, the unity created by the matching materials will help make your kitchen appear larger.
7. Take Advantage of Closed Storage Space...
In addition to providing extra countertop space, a kitchen island equipped with numerous drawers, cabinets, or shelves can greatly boost your kitchen's storage capacity. A kitchen island with closed storage units, like the one above, is perfect for storing kitchen accessories and cookware that you don't want out in the open.
Kitchen islands with closed storage units might not be right for every kitchen – in a particularly small, bright, or airy kitchen, a hefty kitchen island can overwhelm the space. Instead, think about installing a kitchen island with exposed storage space. It can provide just as much utility without overpowering the room. A kitchen island with open shelving is an excellent place to put your stylish dinnerware or recipe books on display.
A gorgeous addition to any trendy farmhouse kitchen, a kitchen island with a butcher-block countertop is charming and ever-so-vinta
ge. You can prepare meals directly on its surface just as you would on a wooden cutting board. Though the butcher block is susceptible to scratches and stains, those marks can enhance the island's delightful quaintness.
Kitchen islands don't have to be light in color to be impressive kitchen additions – a dark kitchen island can be the epitome of elegance if combined with a sleek wooden countertop and sophisticated bar stools. Even farmhouse kitchens in which whites and neutrals shine can benefit from the dignified look of a black kitchen island with a stylish top.
Bonus: 3 Small Kitchen Island Ideas
Kitchen islands may seem like a privilege reserved for large kitchens only, but that's not always the case! Even the smallest of kitchens can benefit from the addition of a kitchen island. To see how, keep reading for three small kitchen island ideas.
1. Combine Storage & Portability
Storage space is a valuable commodity that can be hard to come by in a small kitchen. A stationary kitchen island might make the room seem even smaller. To receive the storage benefits of a kitchen island without overwhelming your limited kitchen space, choose a portable kitchen island that comes with ample storage features – not only will it provide you with valuable storage space, but it can be easily moved aside to open up your kitchen when not in use.
2. Simplify as Much as Possible
If additional storage isn't essential to you, opt for an extremely minimal kitchen island with a drop-leaf countertop. A kitchen island with narrow, exposed legs paired with a simple countertop will provide you with additional food prep space without protruding into your kitchen. Plus, foldable drop leaves allow you to condense the island when not in use.
When you think of a kitchen island, you may think of a broad countertop unit that can seat between two and four people. While many kitchen islands and carts are that large, there are numerous kitchen island options that are much more compact. Your options aren't limited to large sizes – instead, shop for small kitchen islands with widths of under 40".
