Islands

This island is located adjacent to where meals are prepared and can be utilized for dining, for homework, as a buffet or for additional workspace. Design by Don Raney and Jaymes Richardson.



Think outside of the box when deciding on the shape of an island. This custom six-sided island is ideal for a contemporary rectangular kitchen. Design by Troy Adams. Although, I don't agree with the island choice, I like
the shape and style. I would have chosen a top with blues, tans and the wood color to tie the room together more softly.



Pull a chair up to this weighty island or take a seat at the table with a view. Both are painted black and provide a striking contrast to the rest of the cabinetry. Design by Beth Haley.



This island houses both a cooktop and a prep sink as well as ample storage in the form of drawers and open shelves. When space allows, always try to add a ledge and seating around an island. It appears this kitchen may have not had the extra room to do this.



LOVE THIS!!!
Don't feel penned in by having to choose one material for your island's surface; this design incorporates both tile and butcher block. Design by Didier Michot.



The colors blend well in this design.
This proportionately sized island is painted in the kitchen's soft green accent color for a lovely, finished look with plenty of function. Design by Jean Alan. Photo by Patty Carroll.

Entertaining/Recipe of the Day




Cristina’s Healthy Spring Rolls & Sambal Sauce

Kitchen Islands

There's something so calm and peaceful about this kitchen yet, at the same time, it's seriously calling your name to whip up a special meal and enjoy. The beautiful lines, neutral color palette and textures that extend through to the kitchen island pull this whole space together. The dark no-back bar stools work in the space by adding a touch of balance that matches the dining table. Design tip: consider using a similar design element for your backsplash to add harmony to a smaller space. In this case, marble.



In this pretty space, the kitchen island acts as the true hub, providing balance and harmony. With design styles mixing from industrial and modern to classic touches, the kitchen and the island represent a functional, well-designed space. The large island with an open frame works in this space, matching the design style of the counters and farmhouse sink. With a metal rack shelf below and the cement countertops above, the island houses the range as well. Very much a space any cook would love.



Designing a functional and stylish kitchen island can make a big impact in kitchen, often a room that can feel small. In this case, using the same monochromatic color palette and sustainable wood materials for the island that spans the kitchen spaces will make the space feel bigger. The sustainable wood is used on the base of the islands and the cabinets, allowing the eye to keep moving throughout.


What a dream space? This entire kitchen is inviting, cool and feels like such a modern classic. Using a black and white contrast with metal hardware throughout the entire space, including the large island, really adds dimension and absolute style to this space. Since there are tons of clean lines on the island, one way to soften the feel is to add a rounded support under the lip of the countertop. This adds a bit of design style and connects the rounded light fixtures.


For those loft lovers out there, this kitchen space provides some serious inspiration. The designer chooses a simple and open kitchen island to accommodate the large space. Often a solid consideration if you are looking for an anchored space for people to dine or to use for prep.

Kitchen Islands

Kitchen Islands Ideas: Adding Beauty, Function and Value to the Heart of Your Home

Since the 1980s when builders first began plopping blocks of wood in the middle of a floor the island has been one of the most popular models of kitchen design. Through the years the function and look continues to evolve from the early days of added storage space, to the next incarnation when appliances were added, to the addition of multiple levels to accommodate seating and visual interest. The latest trend is for the island to more closely resemble furniture so they look less like a part of the kitchen and more of a seamless blend with the adjoining room’s decor.

Despite their huge popularity, an island cannot and should not be a part of every kitchen, most designers agree. They work best in an L-shaped kitchen that is at least 12 to 14 feet wide. The barest minimum of walk space should be 36 inches, but the National Kitchen and Bath Association prefers at least 42 inches clearance for a one-cook kitchen and 48 for multiple cooks or high traffic kitchens. The most popular island width is roughly three feet.


Like all kitchen design it is best to determine the island’s function. They work well as secondary workspaces with prep sinks and can hold auxiliary appliances like wine coolers or warming trays. One pitfall in adding a prep sink is not allowing enough adjacent counter space to make it truly functional. Guidelines call for a minimum of 36 inches on at least one side of a secondary sink. If a cooktop is on an island allow for a minimum of 12 inches on side of a cooking surface and 15 inches on the other.

To add a punch of color or create a focal point, consider using a different wood for the base or a different countertop. Also think about varying the height of the island to break up the wide expanse and create interest. A typical countertop height is 36 inches high but you can add a lip to make a breakfast bar of 42 inches or lower a portion to table height of 30 inches.

Islands work well in today’s open concept living spaces to keep people connected but there can be drawbacks, too. Dirty dishes are often in full view and there can be safety issues if people are sitting too near a cooktop. A buffer of at least nine inches should separate a cooktop or sink. Consider also rounding the edges of an island as sharp corners can be a hazard.

Dramatic Kitchen Islands

Cutting-edge kitchen island designs demand creativity - fittingly, and so do your clients. As a contemporary designer, you want to make a dramatic impression while creating innovative solutions to your kitchen design dilemmas. As an architect, kitchen islands become aesthetic centerpieces for the space. Modern innovations in kitchen appliances and materials mean your only limit these days is your own imagination. Here are our top picks of the latest, most innovative, tech-savvy, unusual and amazing island designs that are sure to inspire you. Enjoy the pictures and ideas!