Decorating Rooms Kitchens Kitchen Remodeling Ideas 50 Kitchen Island Ideas to Perfectly Suit Your Personal Style There are endless ideas for designing this modern kitchen necessity. By Abby Wolner Abby Wolner Abby Wolner is a freelance writer trained in journalism through Drake University. She is a former food writer and contributor to Better Homes & Gardens. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on December 1, 2023 A kitchen island not only increases the function of your kitchen, but it also serves as a key area for cementing your kitchen’s aesthetic. While there are endless ways to arrange a kitchen island’s appliances, seating, storage, and food prep spaces, there are even more ways to decorate them. Werner Straube This guide features our best kitchen island ideas for every style so that you can find a look and layout that works for your kitchen. Whether you’re wondering about waterfall edge countertops or sourcing a vintage kitchen island, get inspired by our collection of island designs. The Top Kitchen Island Trends of 2023, According to Designers 01 of 50 Use an Island to Enhance Your Kitchen Annie Schlechter This pretty kitchen island fits right into the rest of the kitchen with a matching countertop and an all-white color scheme. Add interest and texture with beadboard panels, and consider how the stools factor into the overall scene. In this kitchen, acrylic stools add a modern touch and take up little visual space. 02 of 50 Kitchen Island Seating Buff Strickland Adding a tabletop to your island is an excellent way to add seating in the kitchen. It’s also a way to enjoy the added prep space of an island with less visual weight, which in this kitchen allows a better view of the stunning tile design. This option may work for you if you have ample storage elsewhere in your kitchen or limited room for dining. 03 of 50 Kitchen Island Sink Julie Soefer Adding a sink to the kitchen island is almost essential in the workflow of this small kitchen, and it might make the most sense for your home, too. Bear in mind that moving plumbing off the wall is an added cost, so make sure it’s practical and necessary before going this route. 04 of 50 Double Islands Jay Wilde Double islands can give you dual functionality. Rather than one giant island, this parallel arrangement uses the center of the room, creating a direct line between the sink and prep space to the oven. 05 of 50 Kitchen Island Clearance James Nathan Schroder Islands need at least 36 inches of clearance all the way around for easy navigation and to ensure you can open cupboard and appliance doors. Knowing this will help you determine the largest size island you can fit in your kitchen. 06 of 50 Island Drawer Storage Brie Williams This unique island prioritizes storage over a seating area with a set of beaded drawers. This could be a good route for you if you have a separate dining area or a lot of storage needs. Adjust the drawer style and hardware to suit different aesthetics. 07 of 50 Vintage Table Kitchen Island Laurey Glenn Vintage tables as kitchen islands add priceless character to new-build kitchens like this one. If you’re using a lot of wood tones, bring in some contrast, such as the modern chrome stools used here. 08 of 50 Double-Sided Island Cabinets Anthony Masterson Most kitchen islands have some storage on the side facing the rest of the kitchen workspace. This island shows that you can also add cabinets on the back of your island. This makes the storage on both sides less deep, so the objects inside are easier to reach. 09 of 50 Open Island Storage Stacy Zarin Goldberg Open storage on your kitchen island puts objects in easy reach, and it creates an opportunity for decorating. Here, colorful cookbooks and entertaining items bring vibrant color to the space, while less aesthetic items are tucked into storage baskets. 10 of 50 Consider Your Needs Jay Wilde Rather than a full line of stools, seating shares space with additional storage on the outer side of this island. Given that the footprint of this kitchen is relatively small, more storage makes sense, especially if there’s a dining table nearby. 11 of 50 Natural Wood Kitchen Island Jay Wilde The island is a great place to bring in natural wood, which can be too expensive to use as all-over cabinetry. You can see how the lightly stained wood island offers warmth and a sense of life to this kitchen. 12 of 50 Kitchen Island Storage Lincoln Barbour The options for kitchen island storage are almost endless, from drawers and cabinets to open or hanging shelving. Here, two large pull-out cabinets face the open side of the kitchen, allowing easy access to trash and recycling. The “bar” side of the island is used for storing hanging items. 13 of 50 Waterfall Edge Countertop Brie Williams Waterfall edge countertops are stunning. They look gorgeous in modern or contemporary spaces and allow you to feature more of a stone you love in your home. This look requires more stone and installation labor, so be prepared for a higher cost. 14 of 50 Vintage Butcher-Block Kitchen Island Julie Soefer A vintage butcher block is the ultimate score for home cooks who love a vintage look. These gorgeous pieces are made to prep food right on the surface. They’re heavy and can be expensive, although you can usually find less expensive options on local online marketplaces. 15 of 50 Add Contrast with a Vintage Island Dane Tashima Using furniture, such as a work table, instead of an island can add warmth, texture, and a traditional look to your kitchen. Look for something that’s counter-height or close to it. If you need to make your table taller, add casters to the legs or a layer of butcher block or stone to the worktop. 16 of 50 Improve Function Hector Sanchez Your kitchen island should be counter-height to be a comfortable surface for prepping food. Casters are a great hack to add to vintage items, as they add height and make a piece mobile, increasing its function and versatility. 17 of 50 Custom Kitchen Island Design Robert Peterson You can design a kitchen island to look like furniture so it fits into a traditional kitchen with the benefits of modern design. This island was designed with two functions—a table on one end and storage on the other. To achieve a pseudo-traditional look, be sure your island is built on legs rather than extending all the way to the floor. 18 of 50 Vintage Kitchen Work Table Kritsada Panichgul This vintage kitchen work table fits perfectly in this small kitchen and suits the style of the old home. You can purchase similar tables new and distress them for a vintage vibe. Just be sure any finishes you use are sealed for food safety. 19 of 50 Choose the Right Island Stools John Bessler This island setup shows how important the choice of stools can be in your decor scheme. The warm leather of the stools echoes the red oven, which makes both items look intentional and part of a color palette rather than a random accent. Had the stools been gray or brown like the rest of the kitchen, this room wouldn’t look as vibrant. 20 of 50 Paint Your Island an Accent Color Annie Schlechter Many people paint the island a different color than their cabinets for a more dynamic look. Choose complementary colors if you want your island (or cabinets) to pop. For a more subtle or streamlined look, choose analogous colors, or colors in the same color family, as shown here. 21 of 50 Choose the Right Island for Your Kitchen Michael Hunter This vintage bread cabinet looks right at home in this refined but rustic kitchen. If you’re shopping for a furniture piece for your island, define the style of your kitchen based on the era you’re trying to emulate to generate keywords for your search. 22 of 50 Traditional Kitchen Island Ann VanderWiel Wilde Work tables were used instead of kitchen islands in historic homes, but in these modern times, the functionality of an island can be hard to beat. So, how do you make a built-in island look right in a traditional kitchen? Try adding details like the corbels and framing used here for a more old-world look. 23 of 50 Add Contrast with Stools Nathan Schroder Think about the interplay of materials between your island and the stools you choose. The stools can be a great place to introduce a contrasting material and color for added interest in the kitchen. Here, the natural rattan stools complement the all-blue kitchen and echo the warm wood of the butcher block counter on the island. 24 of 50 Farmhouse Island Nathan Schroder To design an island for a farmhouse-style kitchen, borrow some ideas from this detailed example. Turned wood posts in natural wood and barn door style facing combine to make a substantial impact in this rustic kitchen. 25 of 50 Match Seating This kitchen somehow strikes a balance between rustic traditional and glam, and the island is no exception with a sleek stone countertop and rustic planked facing. Notice how the stools enhance the style, with a natural wood base and plush, almost glam white seats. 26 of 50 Small-Space Kitchen Island Adam Albright You can still fit an island in small spaces, and they can add much-needed prep or seating space. Start with the square footage of your kitchen, and measure at least 36 inches from any counter, appliance, or door. This will help you figure out what size island your kitchen can accommodate. 27 of 50 Simple Farmhouse Island Anthony Masterson This sweet country kitchen is made all the more functional by a large island with a sink and eating area. The extended table portion feels airy and allows more storage under the island. 28 of 50 Contrast Materials Jared Kuzia This kitchen is a master class in color palette design. This kitchen has many materials, but they’re all white, black, natural wood, or brass. You can use the method of a narrow color palette to choose island materials that are different than your cabinetry but still coordinating. 29 of 50 Modern Kitchen Island Kim Cornelison This island adds to the kitchen’s modern look thanks to the minimalist materials, which are the same larchwood and soapstone as the rest of the cabinetry. The cube-like construction of the island with minimal countertop overhang, also adds to the modern vibe. 30 of 50 Kitchen Island Cart Stacy Zarin Goldberg A pull-out cart is a clever way to customize your kitchen island with more prep and entertaining space. You could do something similar with a butcher-block top as a built-in cutting board. The 12 Best Kitchen Carts of 2024 for Every Style and Budget 31 of 50 Small Kitchen Island Stacey Zarin Goldberg This small kitchen island still offers a ton of functionality with two seats, prep space, and storage in the work area. A dark wood worktop is cost-effective and echoes the warm brown in the stools and shelving. 32 of 50 Traditional Kitchen Island Details Jason Donnelly You can design a new kitchen island to look traditional with the help of a few details. Turned wood legs, bead board, and an antique paint finish combine to give this new island a vintage French country look. 33 of 50 Tiled Kitchen Island Werner Straube Islands often have a working side and a side for seating, where you can play with aesthetics more. Depending on your style, you might paint your island or add beadboard or natural wood to this area. This island features stunning ceramic tile for a pop of color that’s not too overwhelming. 34 of 50 Refined Traditional Island Werner Straube This island lets the materials and craftsmanship shine, and the effect is traditional but timeless. The island is outfitted in simple moldings, which elevate it beyond a simple box and add to the traditional feeling in this kitchen. 35 of 50 Design a Kitchen Island from Scratch Werner Straube Designing a custom island allows you to get the look and dimensions just right for your space and style. Here, a wooden base with table legs and vertical slats has stools on one side and open storage on the other. The simple design adds function and a modern touch to the traditional kitchen. 36 of 50 Simple Kitchen Island Design Werner Straube In some cases, people want their kitchen islands to take a visual backseat to other elements in the room. Here, the island is finished in the same cabinetry and countertop as the rest of the kitchen so that standout items, like the chandelier and range hood, can shine. A simple island like this one is also cost-efficient. 37 of 50 Mix Countertop Styles Julie Soefer Using a different type of countertop on your kitchen island can add a ton of visual interest to your kitchen, and it can be a way to find flexibility in your budget. A foolproof combination is a butcher block in one area and stone in the other. Here, the hefty wood counter on the island is stained darker to contrast the delicate marble counters. 38 of 50 Include Appliances on Your Island Edmund Barr Deciding which appliances to add to the island, if any, is a puzzle you need to work out with a contractor. If you include a sink on the island, it makes sense to place the dishwasher nearby. The microwave, often considered an eyesore, is another common appliance to tuck into a kitchen island. 39 of 50 Large Kitchen Island Brie Williams If you have a large kitchen, it makes sense to go big with your island. This island has a full-size sink and seating area in addition to tons of prep space. The black-painted base of the island features a foot rail for comfort. 40 of 50 Island in a Narrow Kitchen Stacy Zarin Goldberg You can still have a hardworking island, even if you have a narrow kitchen. This island doesn’t have seating, but it includes essentials like a sink, prep space, and storage. 41 of 50 Coastal Modern Kitchen Island Chad R. Mellon Wide vertical planks painted in a soothing blue-gray make this island a grounding force in this coastal-modern kitchen. Stools upholstered in blue ticking subtly enhance the beachy feeling. 42 of 50 Mix Wood and Stone Jay Wilde The island is an opportunity to bring in new materials that your kitchen may be missing. In this case, light, natural wood is a surprise moment of softness that complements the cooler colors and stone accents in the room. 75 Kitchen Ideas for Every Layout and Style 43 of 50 Soothing Color Palette John Granen You can have an accent color on your island and still have a subdued, soothing kitchen. The key is looking for colors you love in muted tones, like this almost-gray green. This room is colorful but not overly bold or bright. 44 of 50 Butcher-Block Countertops Dane Tashima The butcher block on this kitchen island warms up the whole kitchen, and it pairs well with the leather stools. Butcher block is an affordable material that can last decades. However, since it’s a soft material, prepare yourself for some nicks and scratches and try to clean up liquid spills as quickly as possible. 45 of 50 Adapt an Existing Island Erin Kunkel If you have (or only have the budget for) a small island, extending it with a table is a budget-friendly way to get more from the space. Bonus: It offers you face-to-face seating, unlike a typical island. 46 of 50 Split-Level Kitchen Island Helen Norman Adding a bar-height section to your kitchen island is a great option, especially in small spaces, as it adds some separation between the kitchen and the room beyond, and it hides visual clutter in the space below. Be sure to purchase bar-height stools rather than counter-height if you go this route. The 10 Best Bar Stools of 2024 for Every Style and Budget 47 of 50 Large Kitchen Island Design Idea David Greer This spacious marble island offers another layout if you have room for a large kitchen island. There’s a counter-height section for food prep and sink access and a lower table-height section with seating. 48 of 50 Styling a Waterfall Countertop Edmund Barr Waterfall-edge counters look so at home in modern kitchens like this one. The cube shape looks great with other geometric furnishings, like the globe lights and grid tile layout in this mid-century kitchen. 49 of 50 Retrofit a Vintage Kitchen Island John Granen Vintage work tables don’t always have the functionality of modern kitchen islands. Here, the open shelf was altered to allow more room for people seated on the other side. Such alterations can make vintage pieces way more functional for modern use. 50 of 50 Kitchen Island in an Old Home James Nathan Schroder The style of your home can help you decide what style and size of island to install. This small farmhouse kitchen could handle a larger island, but it wouldn’t be typical for the era, and it would block the path of travel next to the kitchen. Instead, they used a small chest fitted with casters and a stone top to increase prep space while honoring the style of the home. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit