With an open concept house like mine, the kitchen island is an integral part of the design. So it is important to me that it both looks good and is functional.
After years of planning kitchen upgrades, I have learned some tips that help meet both of those goals.
1. Modern White Gloss
There is something so stunning about this modern white gloss kitchen island. I just love a no fuss style that keeps things simple and striking.
This is one of the best kitchen island ideas if you want a clean, modern look. It’s just perfection.
2. Hideaway Bench Seating
Okay, how clever is this?! I love the idea of updating a kitchen design by getting rid of clutter and focusing on cleaner lines.
This pull out bench is such a creative idea! You get a neat island and seating only when you need it. It saves so much space too!
3. Butcher’s Block Countertop
This is such a classic look and one of my all time favorite kitchen island ideas. It is so practical and works with any kitchen design.
I just adore how beautiful it is without being the least bit ostentatious.
4. Island and Diner
Here is another smart and inspired way to save on space. Why not incorporate your daily dining area right into the island?
This modern piece is a kitchen on one side and a dining table on the other. I love how the seamless design offers such great flexibility.
5. Modern Rustic
I’m a huge fan of this look. The rough stone tiles for the floors, vintage lighting and seating, and stone countertops just work so well together.
Add in weathered wood paneling, natural tones, and a stark kitchen design, and you have something that’s both sensible and beautiful.
6. Island and Bench
Okay, I really love this idea, especially for families. Do you have young kids who would rather cuddle up to hear stories instead of sitting on bar stools?
Or maybe you love cooking as much as reading? This bench means you don’t have to stop doing the things you love while you’re in the kitchen!
7. Rough Hewn Wood Countertop
Isn’t this walnut kitchen island countertop just a showstopper? I love how the natural cambers, rich grains, and the warm tone of the walnut slab are allowed to shine.
It really captures the essence of this creation which is just naturally stunning!
8. Undercounter Fridge
Do you find yourself constantly running out of fridge space? I know I do!
Instead of buying another whole refrigerator that you don’t have room for, this is a great solution. You have enough space in your kitchen island to convert into a cooling and storing system.
9. Book Shelves
We spend so much time in the kitchen, right? It’s not just for cooking or eating, but for chatting, studying, and even working.
To me, it just makes sense that we need book shelves in the kitchen.
10. Smooth Curve
Sometimes you can’t quite abide the stark minimalism of some modern designs. This curved island is the perfect way to inject a healthy dose of drama into your kitchen.
I love that the rest of the space is kept simple to get that perfect balance.
11. Modern Grey Minimalist
What a great way to update your kitchen by modernizing the island. The walls, ceiling, and even the drop lights all have a charming, antiquated look.
That style is balanced so beautifully by the sleek and modern minimalist kitchen island.
12. Modern Zen
Minimalism has really taken interior design by storm, and I am here for it! It’s so functional, efficient, and beautiful.
This Zen kitchen has very minor trimmings, but it is so big on functionality and efficiency.
13. Pet Feeding Station
Have you ever wondered where to put your pet’s feeding bowls and kibbles? This is the perfect solution!
I think one end of your island is just ideal for a pet feeding station. The bowls are fixed at the bottom, and you have drawers for food at the top!
14. Farmhouse Kitchen Island
What could be a more charming and quirky addition to a modern kitchen? I just love a rustic farmhouse kitchen island.
It’s so charming and definitely quirky in the best possible way!
15. The Caddy Island
This small kitchen island with wheels is just perfect if you want flexibility in your space. This is especially great for apartments where space is at a premium.
You can use the island for cooking and then roll it to the side for a party!
16. Elegant Breakfast Nook
Instead of a traditional bar, how about installing a breakfast nook in front of your island? I think this space saving idea would work so well in apartments.
Who needs a whole separate dining room when you can have your meals right there in the kitchen?
17. Narrow and Open
Do you want an island but feel like your kitchen is too small? The solution is a narrow and open design.
This simply constructed island lets you keep the fluidity of the room, and you still get to enjoy the additional counter space.
18. Reclaimed Wood Planks
I love the idea of giving your kitchen some character with reclaimed wood planks. The natural grains of the planks add such a warm, rustic touch to an otherwise modern room.
19. Wine Centre
Gone are the days of musty old wine cellars! Now you can keep your drinks right in the room and within easy reach with an under the counter wine centre.
I think the kitchen island is the perfect place for something like this.
20. Storage Shelves
Don’t have much overhead cabinet space? That’s no problem when you have a kitchen island. You can use part of the under the counter space for some open shelves or even cabinets. So clever!
21. Small and Efficient
Wow! This kitchen island is so small, but it’s unbelievably efficient. It just proves that every nook and cranny really counts!
22. Modern Storage System
This entire kitchen island is used as the kitchen storage system. I think this is one of the best kitchen island ideas out there, given its accessibility and all the space it provides.
23. Black Modern
I have never seen a black kitchen that is so brightening! This contemporary, no frill kitchen design features basic colors and minimalism.
I adore the fascinating blend of rustic, and how the simple black island is complemented with stools of lighter tones.
24. Grey Weathered Wood Island
I love this cool seaside cottage style kitchen. The weathered grey island, vintage lighting, and hood add a healthy dose of rustic charm.
It nicely complements the clean white walls and shiny appliances.
25. U-Shaped Gathering Island
Can we talk about how this U-shaped kitchen island is just made for gathering and entertaining? I love that the design provides lots of counter space.
It’s ideal for large families, serious chefs, and people who love to entertain!
26. Cutlery Keepers
To me, the kitchen island is perfect for a sleek and modern cutlery organizer.
If you’re someone who wants a place for everything and hates rummaging through drawers, this is for you. The ample space under your island is a great cutlery keeper.
27. Penta Counter
Are regular shapes just not good enough for you? Then how about this pentagon island counter? I think this is such a smart idea, especially if you have a kitchen in a corner.
28. Rustic Farmhouse Inspired
This just feels like a farmer’s kitchen, doesn’t it? You can recreate that same homey and charming air in any kitchen by adding in lots of farmhouse trappings.
Think a roughhewn island, wicker baskets, vintage lamps, and bare walls.
29. Patterned Tile Facing
How about giving your kitchen a dash of Moroccan styling? The patterned Moroccan tiles on this island work so well with the subway tile walls.
I love it paired with the stark simplicity of the rest of the kitchen design.
30. Upcycled Pallet Island
What a cool DIY kitchen island idea! You just need to clean up some wood pallets, put them together, and paint them.
The in-between spaces are so great for additional storage and kitchen organizing.
31. Lowered Counter
Having young kids in the house means no high stools and seats. You can still keep your kitchen island and bar, you just have to lower the counter.
This allows for safer seats for your kids. Such a smart idea!
32. White and Wood
I think this is such a beautiful and sensible look. It’s so modern and simple. This white on wood kitchen design is one of my favorites for kitchen renovations and upgrades.
33. Vintage Sideboard Island
A vintage sideboard turned into a kitchen island! I mean, of course, you can’t possibly throw away such a treasure. But to use it in the kitchen? Yes, yes, yes!
34. Classy X-Form Island
The X-form kitchen island is a classic, and I think it is still one of the classiest designs. You can upgrade your entire kitchen but keep your X-form island for an utterly refined air.
35. Dinnerware Storage Drawers
The ample space under your kitchen island is also ideal for storing heavy and delicate china and dinnerware. It is always safer to store and retrieve heavy objects from lower cabinets or drawers.
36. Sleek White
A kitchen island is a construction in the middle of your kitchen that gives you additional workspace and a convenient dining area. Sometimes it even provides storage space underneath.
This white kitchen island is just that, sleek, simple, and efficient.
37. Pull-out Spice Organiser
It’s always a good idea to keep your spices near the stove and dining area. The island is the perfect spot for a pull out spice organizer.
You can use small bottles to fill up that odd space and keep everything easily accessible.
38. Cooler Insert
Why would you hide the wine when you can have it right on the table? Or in this case, on the kitchen island!
Just insert a wine or beer cooler, fill it with ice, chill the wine, and you are ready to party!
39. Rolling Island
Who says kitchen islands have to be secured to the floor? This modern home features an open plan with an island on wheels. What an ingenious idea for room flexibility and space maximization!
40. Modern Chic
This unique kitchen island design is so sensible and stylish. I love the no-nonsense construction with its clean lines. The patterns of the weathered wood are played up by the rug. So chic and classy!
41. Luxurious Marble Island
You can go fabulously sumptuous with an all marble kitchen island. To me, the simple construction really lets the marble’s natural vein patterns take center stage. Simply exquisite!
42. Plain and Practical
Plain and practical doesn’t have to mean boring and drab. This is one of the most innovative kitchen island ideas because it captures beauty in its simplicity. I just love it.
43. Romantic Spanish Villa
You can add the idyllic charm of an old Spanish country home kitchen with this functional island. I love the drawers at the top and shelves underneath.
This is a delightfully hardworking kitchen where good food and lovely memories are made.
44. Contemporary Island Design
With the latest kitchen island ideas, nothing seems impossible. This unique design features floating shelves in the front and a dining area at one end.
It looks absolutely amazing, and the design just works!
45. Bare Wood Planks
You can add a serious breath of rustic air into your modern kitchen with this wood paneled island.
I love that the wood is kept rough and bare. Its warm tones create a beautiful contrast with the cool white, black, and grey of the room.
46. Square and Spacious
When you need some major countertop space, this square kitchen island design is the way to go. It can also serve as your informal dining area or as a buffet table when you’re entertaining.
47. Dry Storage Drawers
Efficiency in the kitchen is a must, so everything needs to have a specific place. Ideally, it should be within easy reach from where you need it.
Putting dry storage drawers in the island is so smart, since that’s where you usually do your meal prep.
48. Brick Kitchen Island
I think the warm brick facing gives this kitchen island an impressive, affluent feel! Keeping the rest of the room toned down provides a nice contrast to the wild texture and hues of the bricks.
49. Functional Efficiency
Adding major functionality features to your island is always sensible. The space under the counter is perfect for storage and a small appliance niche.
This swing out garbage bin is so well placed. It’s hidden but still accessible!
50. Metallic Upgrade
Now this is one fabulous kitchen island! You can make the most out of a smallish kitchen by adding in lots of metallic embellishments.
I love the idea of using gleaming tones like gold, chrome, and silver as much as you dare.
51. Microwave Niche
Creating a specific place for everything is the best way to clear out your kitchen counter of clutter. This microwave niche is so sensible and accessible. Just perfect!
52. Rustic Scandinavian
Why would you settle for a plain island when you can have this incredible structure?
This island is fitted with solid wood posts and beams, a wood countertop, and eclectic seating. It gives off such a great boho flair!
53. Pull-out Work Table
When your counter space is at a premium, this pull out work table is a game changer. It provides an additional work area without crowding your kitchen.
You can just stow it under the island when it’s not in use!
54. Strategic Lighting
I love this because you can lead the eye wherever you want it to be. This kitchen clearly wants to highlight its island. The simple construction really underscores the sophistication and refined styling.
55. Polished Metal Clad Island
You can take out the frill and add some sheen. That’s how you upgrade a boring or dated kitchen. I think the copper tone is so beautiful and interesting.
