15 Dreamy Kitchen Island Ideas
Kiss your cluttered countertop days goodbye. You've arrived.
Gourmet dishes or microwave dinners, a spacious island makes mealtime less of a pain. A smart prep station can even stash cookbooks, host cocktail hour and anchor a truly stunning space. Feeling inspired? Get more kitchen ideas for a room that'll make you want to cook.
Central Sink
Anything that gets dinner done faster is a plus in our book. This kitchen maximizes efficiency by putting the sink in the middle of the action.
Tall Table
With cabinet space to spare, a farmhouse kitchen skips the bulky cube in favor of a rustic table. Plus, stools slide easily underneath for a low key breakfast spot.
Butcher Block
Elevated with iron legs, a long slab of butcher block can handle prep work and dinner parties. This Brooklyn home's showstopper chandelier only adds to the chameleon effect.
Cookbook Storage
Keep those carefully-curated recipes close-at-hand, like this family-friendly home. Built-in bookshelves can house quite the collection on the end of an island.
Breakfast Table
Not every house has a cozy banquette. Fake an eat-in kitchen by expanding the counter over the edge of a block island.
Pop-Out Bar
Cocktail hour can come out of the living room and into the kitchen. This Florida home added a thick wooden slab to accommodate some punchy stools.
Upholstered Bench
A plush island-height bench makes Sunday-morning brunch around the kitchen island extra cozy.
Linen Cupboard
Free up precious counter space with tailor-made cabinetry. Glass-front doors show off colorful tablecloths and dish towels in a beach house kitchen.
White Beadboard
A light-filled space always feels welcoming. In this case, lots of natural light shows off the classic combination of white cabinetry and oak countertops.
Horizontal Lines
Or, turn tongue-and-groove paneling on its side to mimic shiplap. It's a quick upgrade for ready-made cabinets.
Monochromatic Palette
White on white — it doesn't get simpler than than that. Just be sure to pick the perfect shade of ivory, cream or alabaster.
Colorful Seating
All-white does look sleek, but a pop of color never hurts. Around this island, a trio of navy stools tie the beachy kitchen in with the rest of this New Jersey home.
Distressed Finish
A little wear and tear only adds to the charm when done strategically. Brush on a couple coats of milk paint and sand down the edges for an island with the right rustic look.
Storage Baskets
Stash grocery bags, produce or unsightly clutter in a pair of woven hampers on a two-tier table. Out of sight, out of mind.
Wooden Base
Two-tone cabinets might be all the rage, but mixed materials also keep things interesting. White countertops on stained cabinetry add to the appeal.
Caroline is a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience. From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor, covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day Northwestern will go back to the Rose Bowl.
60 Beautiful Bathroom Decor Ideas
80 Living Room Ideas to Steal Immediately
90 Designer-Approved Dining Rooms
45 Fireplace Decor Ideas That Feel Warm and Cozy
