Free Shipping Over $3,000!

Cabinets Fit For Royalty, But Affordable For All!

40+ Kitchen Island Ideas To Upgrade Your Space

By: Andrew Saladino | 8 min

Luxury kitchen with large island.

Kitchen islands are becoming essential in every kitchen remodel. Providing storage, a work surface, seating, and room for appliances, a kitchen island is the workhorse of your culinary space.

There are many options to consider when deciding on the right kitchen island for you. Your kitchen's style, space, and usage should all be considered. To help prioritize what's most important to you, read through our guide on kitchen island ideas. You may be most interested in entertaining friends and family or giving yourself some much-needed counter space, so find the concept that works best for you.

No matter your preferences, you're bound to find a layout that suits your kitchen. Once you've selected a kitchen island style, pair it with the perfect cabinet style from our RTA kitchen cabinets.

Contemporary farmhouse kitchen island.

1.
Incorporate Reclaimed Wood for a Farmhouse Look

Contemporary farmhouse kitchen islands create a sophisticated yet rustic look in any kitchen. This style of kitchen island is warm, inviting, and, most importantly, practical. It provides ample seating for family and guests, as well as plenty of storage for dishes, pots, pans, and other cooking essentials. Since modern farmhouse islands tend to be on the larger side, they require open kitchens for appropriate spacing.

Minimalist kitchen island.

2.
Get Rid of Clutter to Embrace Minimalism

A minimalist kitchen island can serve as a sleek and contemporary design component in your kitchen. Minimalist islands help your kitchen look less busy and cluttered by offering storage space, seating, and typically an appliance or sink integrated into the island. These functional elements paired with neutral tones and clean lines help create a calming atmosphere in your kitchen.

Industrial style kitchen island.

3.
Embrace Dark Color Palettes for Industrial Style

If you've always dreamed of living in a downtown highrise, then an industrial-style kitchen is right up your alley. Incorporate exposed brick, distressed metal, and statement lighting to achieve this aesthetic. Add more storage space by installing open shelving and ladders to reach everyday kitchen items and cookbooks.

4. Make Your Kitchen Look Brand New With Modern Accents

Whether you opt for pops of color or classic monochrome, there's nothing sleeker than a modern kitchen. The most important aspect of having a modern look is using up-to-date appliances, sleek surfaces, and trending metals.

5. Feel Like You're On Vacation With Beach-inspired Details

You don't need to travel to Southern California or Hawaii to bring beach elements into your home. Give your home a beach house feeling by embracing islands with soft blues, whites, light wood tones, natural light, and curved angles.

6. Enhance Your Neutrals With a Two-toned Island

Your kitchen is a great place for neutral colors like white, gray, and black. If the main colors of your kitchen are neutral, introducing two-tone cabinets or an accent color on your kitchen island will help liven up the space. Painting your kitchen island a unique color adds appeal and character to your space without needing a complete transformation.

Kitchen island with round edges.

7.
Create Better Flow With Round Edges

Install an island with round edges to show off a unique look in your space. Traditional rectangular islands have sharp lines and corners. Cutting out these harsh elements will make your kitchen feel homier and more inviting.

L-shaped kitchen island.

8.
Enjoy an Open Concept With an L-shaped Island

Are you looking for a way to maximize your countertop space? Kitchens are more than just places to prepare meals — they're the heart of the home and an island can help you make the most of it. Corner kitchens are extending their islands along two walls into an L-shape to increase surface area for more activities and create an open concept.

Extra long kitchen island.

9.
Invest in an Extra-Long Island To Fit More Bar Stools

If you have a large kitchen, take advantage of the extra space by extending your island. Investing in an extra-long island gives you more room for bar stools and countertop space.

10. Match Your Kitchen Layout With an Angled Shape

If you're looking to save money on your next kitchen remodel without sacrificing quality, an angled island is a perfect solution. Irregularly shaped slabs of natural stone are often sold at a discounted price, making this a great option if you have a unique kitchen layout and a tight budget.

11. Find a Thin Island To Fit Into a Small Kitchen

Make your small kitchen feel more spacious by purchasing a custom island with a shallow depth. When you have less surface area on your island, it's important to avoid having loose items on your counter to keep it organized.

12. Section off Your Kitchen With a T-shaped Island

A T-shaped island gives your family space to do homework, host casual dinners, or enjoy an after-school snack. When creating your T-shaped island, get creative by adding a butcher block, dining table extension, or a lower level to the top of the “T.”

Marble kitchen island.

13.
Use Marble to Enhance a Modern Aesthetic

Bring character into your kitchen by incorporating marble with veins and visible patterns. Pair your marble island with gold or brass accents to enhance a modern look.

Mirrored kitchen island.

14.
Make Your Kitchen Appear Larger With a Mirrored Island

Mirroring your countertops is a great way to make a small kitchen look larger and add light to any dark interior. This refined detail looks sophisticated when overlaying stone, marble, and steel. This will add the perfect finishing touch to any contemporary kitchen.

Natural wood kitchen island.

15.
Bring Nature Into Your Kitchen With Natural Wood

Natural wood islands tend to never go out of style because they work with almost any style. Pair a light wood island with brass accents for a modern look or dark wood grains with antiques to embrace vintage qualities.

16. Stain Concrete To Add a Pop of Color

Homeowners are prioritizing low-maintenance materials and kitchen products this year. Concrete doesn't chip or discolor the way other man-made materials do and can be stained to match virtually any decor.

17. Install Porcelain as a Low-maintenance Option

You'll be obsessed with this new trend if you love a low-maintenance home but don't want to sacrifice quality. Porcelain looks similar to natural stone but is easier to clean and stain-resistant. This countertop comes in almost any pattern and shade, giving you plenty of options, no matter your kitchen style.

18. Add a Butcher Block To Avoid Damaging Your Countertop

Introducing a butcher block countertop to your kitchen saves the rest of your countertops from damage by giving you a separate workspace to prepare and chop all of your ingredients. Wood and butcher block countertops are becoming increasingly popular for their relatively low cost, ease of maintenance, and warm feel.

Breakfast bar kitchen island.

19.
Double Your Seating with an Added Breakfast Bar

A breakfast bar island creates an extra seating area for your family and guests or can make meals more casual. It's perfect for those who have busy mornings and want to serve a quick breakfast without setting the dining table. Breakfast bar islands can also suit those who are social chefs and love to chat while cooking.

Furniture style kitchen island.

20.
Replace Your Island With Antique Furniture Pieces

Furniture-style islands can be great for antique lovers or DIYers looking to repurpose an old table, dresser, or bookshelf. These kitchen islands can be big or small and may have open or closed storage, depending on your preference. By repurposing an old piece of furniture, you add a unique character and charm to your kitchen that creates a warm, inviting space.

Kitchen bar cart.

21.
Display Decor on a Centralized Bar Cart

Those that live in small apartments or homes don't have to miss out on having a centralized space in the kitchen. Add a bar cart to the center of your kitchen to add plants, decor, plates, or whatever else you want to display. Increase your storage space by putting baskets on the lower level of your bar cart.

22. Take Your Island Wherever You Need

If you have a more compact kitchen and need a versatile kitchen island, then a rolling island could be a perfect fit. Create a space along the wall or even in the pantry to store the island if you need more room for guests, then roll it out and lock it into place when needed.

Kitchen island with wood slats.

23.
Enhance a Natural Look With Wood Slats

In 2022, homeowners are getting creative with how they're using wood in their kitchens. A trending feature is layering your island with wood slats to create a natural but sleek look. This is an excellent option if you want to bring more nature into your home without showing rough grains.

Kitchen island with detailed tile.

24.
Use Grandmillennial Inspiration With Detailed Tile

If you're looking for a way to make your kitchen stand out, then you're going to love this kitchen island idea. Use detailed tiles on the side of your island instead of focusing on pops of color or wall art to make an impact.

Waterfall kitchen island.

25.
Make Your Kitchen Look Cohesive With a Waterfall Island

Choosing a countertop with a seamless transition from the top to the sides is sure to make a statement. This feature comes in a range of materials, from marble or stone to stainless steel or wood.

26. Embrace the Geometric Shapes Trend With Ribbed Sides

Homeowners are finding new ways to create visual intrigue in their kitchens. They're accomplishing this by getting rid of smooth surfaces and replacing them with unique patterns. An island with ribbed sides is a great way to turn your kitchen centerpiece into a piece of art.

Sage green kitchen island.

27.
Include Sage Green to Complement a Neutral Palette

Since the pandemic has forced us to stay inside for two years now, people are trying to bring nature inside their homes. With this in mind, minimalist kitchen lovers are obsessing over sage green as their new favorite neutral for kitchen islands.

White kitchen island.

28.
Use White for a Clean Kitchen Aesthetic

Homeowners are starting to experiment with new styles and trends, but all-white kitchens are still popular this year. Pair your white kitchen island with wood bar stools for a refined natural look.

Soft pink kitchen island.

29.
Bring Feminine Energy Into Your Kitchen With Soft Pinks

Social media is blowing up with posts showing kitchens with soft pink undertones. This cheerful color category gives off a retro feel and combines well with teal green, blue, white, black, or gray accents.

30. Add a Touch of Nautical Style With Light Blue

The color light blue looks great in white kitchens because it enhances natural light and has a calming effect. Pair light blue islands with wood countertops to create a beachy look or gold hardware for a modern aesthetic.

31. Create Depth With Teal Green

During your next kitchen remodel, make a statement by adding a teal green kitchen island to your home. Pair a dark countertop with teal green sides to give your kitchen a dramatic feel, or pair it with light colors to make your island stand out.

32. Bring Luxury to Your Kitchen With Gold

Incorporate the color gold into your kitchen by adding gold appliances, barstools, or geometric shapes to the sides of your island. Adding gold into your kitchen will elevate your home and give it an element of luxury.

Kitchen island with desk extension.

33.
Connect a Workstation to Your Island

Having a multifunctional kitchen is more important than ever as more people are working from home. If you plan to work on a laptop, it's a great idea to incorporate outlets into your island so you never lose your charge. Add a desktop extension to your island or zone out an area on your countertop to create the perfect spot for getting projects done.

Bartop kitchen island.

34.
Extend Your Hosting Area With a Bartop

You could use the bartop as a place for friends to hang out, enjoy a drink with loved ones, or chop vegetables for dinner. Adding an extended bar top gives you the freedom to use the extra space however you want so feel free to customize this space to fit your needs.

35. Include a Cozy Nook With Banquette Seating

Bring the intimacy of sitting in a restaurant booth into your home by adding banquette seating. You can connect banquette seating to your island for a cozier vibe.

36. Separate Your Work and Food Prep With Double Islands

If you have the luxury of extra space in your kitchen, then having double islands could be the trend you've been looking for. If you take as many business calls in the kitchen as you do in the office, then try designating one of your islands to food prep and the other to completing work tasks.

37. Find Room for a Dining Room Table With an Extension

Homeowners are adding extensions to their islands as a solution to not having enough space for a dining room table. Make the dining room table extension a different material from your countertop to show the distinction between where you can enjoy a meal and where they're prepared.

38. Add Extra Entertaining Room With Two Tiers

A two-tiered island gives you the perfect height for preparing food and enjoying a meal at your countertop. Make the lower level the height you need to chop, cook, and garnish meals with ease while using the upper level for seating.

39. Use Your Island For Overflow Pantry Storage

Many small kitchens that don't have an area for dried goods can benefit from using an island with shelving as a makeshift pantry space. Pour frequently used products into glass jars to keep your kitchen looking cohesive and tidy.

Kitchen island with a built-in wine bar.

40.
Store Your Beverages With a Wine Bar

If you love entertaining, you'll love this addition to your island. Choosing an island with a wine bar is the perfect way to elevate your hosting experience. Always have easy access to pouring a glass of wine while cooking or enjoying company.

41. Use Your Island to Hold Kitchen Supplies

Create additional storage space by choosing an island with an open framework and a bottom shelf. Decorate this bottom shelf with extra decor and kitchen items for easy access to everyday supplies.

Kitchen island with cabinetry.

42.
Incorporate Cabinetry for a Farmhouse Look

Islands with built-in cabinetry are functional and give your kitchen a sophisticated farmhouse feel. Conceal frequently used kitchen items such as pots and pans in your cabinets to keep them from cluttering your countertops.

Kitchen island with drawers.

43.
Add More Storage With Drawers

Consider adding drawers to one side of your island to increase storage space and give you quick access to your most-used kitchen utensils and products. Make sure to place your barstool seating on the opposite side of the drawers so you don't have to worry about moving your seating every time you reach for a drawer handle.

Kitchen Island Ideas FAQ

It can be hard to choose which kitchen island idea to go with when there are so many options. To help you get started on your next remodel, we outlined the top questions people ask when redesigning their islands.

What Can I Use for a Kitchen Island?

If you don't want to use a traditional kitchen island, you can use a bar cart, dining table, breakfast bar, or rolling island. These options are great alternatives for renters or people that have small kitchens.

What Is a Good Sized Kitchen Island?

The minimum size of most kitchen islands is four feet long by two feet wide. The average height is between 36 and 42 inches tall.

Is It Cheaper To Build a Kitchen Island?

Kitchen islands cost between $2,000 and $5,000, and custom islands can cost over $10,000. Choose an alternative island, such as a bar cart or dining room table, starting at $100.

Are Kitchen Islands Out of Style?

Kitchen islands are not out of style. Islands remain the central focal point and gathering area in most kitchens.

Once you're familiar with the different kitchen island ideas, customize the perfect one for your space. Determine what your family needs in a kitchen island before making the purchase, whether for functionality, design, or both. If you're looking for more inspiration, check out our other kitchen ideas, which range from molding designs to organization tips.

As Seen On
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On Grey's Anatomy
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings on HGTV
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings on DIY Network
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On Property Brothers
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On Apartment Therapy
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On BuzzFeed
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On Entrepreneur
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On Forbes
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On Huffington Post
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On SFGate
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On The Spruce
  • Kitchen Cabinet Kings As Seen On Yahoo!

Enter your email address and get 10% off your order. Enjoy exclusive access to special offers and news.

Connect with us

Please wait...

{{var product.name}} has been added to your cart

View cart & checkout Continue shopping