10 of the Best Kitchen Islands
Is it time you reworked your layout to incorporate this hard-working hub?
If you’re designing a new kitchen or looking to revamp your old one, you’ve almost certainly considered an island. This bank of cabinets or table-like structure in the centre of the kitchen can offer increased storage and additional work space, as well as a more flexible layout for appliances.
An island should, of course, enhance rather than impede your room’s functionality – so assess your space carefully – but it should look good, too. Browse these ideas to find a style to complement the rest of your scheme.
An island should, of course, enhance rather than impede your room’s functionality – so assess your space carefully – but it should look good, too. Browse these ideas to find a style to complement the rest of your scheme.
Update an Edwardian
This huge cook’s table is at the heart of the Edwardian-style kitchen. The solid oak island is half topped with oak and half with Italian black basalt, a volcanic rock. These dual surfaces function well for wet and dry tasks.
This huge cook’s table is at the heart of the Edwardian-style kitchen. The solid oak island is half topped with oak and half with Italian black basalt, a volcanic rock. These dual surfaces function well for wet and dry tasks.
Make yours a moveable feast
Why not have your island float around the room on giant casters, like this ingenious birch ply design? Recessed electrical sockets in the floor mean plugging in appliances is a cinch, while vented doors allow air to circulate around the vegetable drawers. Finally, brushed stainless steel cladding makes for a resilient worktop.
Why not have your island float around the room on giant casters, like this ingenious birch ply design? Recessed electrical sockets in the floor mean plugging in appliances is a cinch, while vented doors allow air to circulate around the vegetable drawers. Finally, brushed stainless steel cladding makes for a resilient worktop.
Show off some Shaker chic
A classic Shaker-style kitchen island is given a contemporary colour update in softest grey. Polished nickel cup handles and a pale granite worktop ensure subtle sparkle.
A classic Shaker-style kitchen island is given a contemporary colour update in softest grey. Polished nickel cup handles and a pale granite worktop ensure subtle sparkle.
Try an ‘almost island’
When is an island not an island? When it’s a peninsula! This monochrome kitchen uses an L-shaped cabinet run on one side to create a breakfast bar, as well as a natural divide in the open-plan space. The worktop switches from stone to wood, differentiating the separate ‘zones’.
When is an island not an island? When it’s a peninsula! This monochrome kitchen uses an L-shaped cabinet run on one side to create a breakfast bar, as well as a natural divide in the open-plan space. The worktop switches from stone to wood, differentiating the separate ‘zones’.
Ramp up rich contrast
With its wine fridge, seating area, induction hob and extra storage, this island is a kitchen power player. Contrasting cabinets in a dark wood finish add depth to the otherwise light and airy scheme.
Check out expert ideas for kitchen island lighting
With its wine fridge, seating area, induction hob and extra storage, this island is a kitchen power player. Contrasting cabinets in a dark wood finish add depth to the otherwise light and airy scheme.
Check out expert ideas for kitchen island lighting
Do double duty
Get a little extra work surface by extending the worktop beyond the footprint of your island to form a small lip. This easy improvement increases prep space without forfeiting valuable floor area, as well as creating a bijou breakfast bar.
Get a little extra work surface by extending the worktop beyond the footprint of your island to form a small lip. This easy improvement increases prep space without forfeiting valuable floor area, as well as creating a bijou breakfast bar.
Stay slimline with a space-saver
If your kitchen is on the smaller side, a slimline island is a valuable space saver. This 600mm wide bar with solid walnut top uses an unobtrusive column support at one end to reduce bulk. A cabinet housing storage and a microwave sits neatly at the wall end.
If your kitchen is on the smaller side, a slimline island is a valuable space saver. This 600mm wide bar with solid walnut top uses an unobtrusive column support at one end to reduce bulk. A cabinet housing storage and a microwave sits neatly at the wall end.
Boost a traditional butcher’s block
The chunky oak worktop and smaller proportions give this island the look of a traditional butcher’s block. Drawers add functionality, while the slatted base is perfect for storing vegetables.
The chunky oak worktop and smaller proportions give this island the look of a traditional butcher’s block. Drawers add functionality, while the slatted base is perfect for storing vegetables.
Perfect your party zone
This atmospheric island is the perfect hub for entertaining thanks to stylish pendant lights and a sleek bar area. A wraparound worktop and clever use of colour ensure minimal visual interruption in the impressive indoor-outdoor scheme.
TELL US…
What type of kitchen island do you have – or hanker after? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
This atmospheric island is the perfect hub for entertaining thanks to stylish pendant lights and a sleek bar area. A wraparound worktop and clever use of colour ensure minimal visual interruption in the impressive indoor-outdoor scheme.
TELL US…
What type of kitchen island do you have – or hanker after? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
A deep, painted finish (in this case, Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball) grounds this robust 3m-long island in its central setting. The chunky worktop is made of Silestone (a quartz composite), which allows for a seam-free surface. A discreet shadowline recess underneath the worktop conceals LED lighting.
Find out whether you have space for a kitchen island