A very popular choice in open plan homes, the island kitchen provides a large work surface or storage area in the middle of the kitchen. The island can incorporate a cooking surface, prep bowl and bar or wine fridge. Utilize the island as both a work- and social area where family and friends can interact while meals are being prepared. Because of its location in the center of the kitchen, it is a great place to install prominent decorative lighting that can also serve as task lighting.
Pros
A kitchen island increases counter space for small appliances and prep space. It offers addition storage for cooking utensils and specialty tools, adds seating options with bar stools or dining chairs along one or more sides and creates defined space in an open concept home. Such a kitchen is always the heart of the kitchen and where everyone spends their time.
A bold and chic kitchen with white cabinets, a black kitchen island with a marble countertop, a marble backsplash and wicker lamps.
A bold contemporary kitchen in black and white, with a marble backsplash and countertops, an open shelf and some greenery.
A chic kitchen with navy cabinets, a navy kitchen island with a butcherblock counter, a brick accent wall and retro pendant lamps.
A chic kitchen with white cabinets, a grey kitchen island, wooden stools, black and white countertops and pendant lamps.
A chic retro kitchen in hunter green, with a table as a kitchen island, glass lamps and tall black stools.
A contrasting black and white kitchen with a black hood and island, black stools and pendant lamps on chains is wow.
A cozy farmhouse kitchen with white cabinets, wicker chairs, a white subway tile backsplash and refined pendant lamps.
A cozy white farmhouse kitchen with vintage cabinetry, a kitchen island with a wooden top, potted herbs and pendant lamps.
A farmhouse chic kitchen with white cabinetry, a blue island with a marble countertop, a white tile backsplash and cool wooden stools.
A farmhouse kitchen with grey cabinets, a white subway tile backsplash, a butcherblock countertop, pendant lamps and a wooden stool.
Cons
Disruption in room flow if the island interrupts the work triangle – keep in mind that your kitchen island should be placed right. Such a kitchen sometimes has appliance placement problems because the island can be hard to vent and requires special wiring and plumbing. If the island is too large or if the finishes are too costly, you will have to pay additionally for that. Tight kitchens aren’t the best idea to have an island, this is usually for big enough spaces. Ideally, a kitchen island should have 42-inches of space on each side for optimal movement and appliance use. An aisle can be 36-inches if it’s meant for walking only, but that would cause that side to be useless for prep. Seating along an island is great, unless the walkway behind it gets restricted.
A fun and colorful kitchen with yellow cabinets, green tiles, open shelves, a rough wooden kitchen island and bold decor.
A large and airy white kitchen with elegant cabinets, a white marble island, black pendant lamps and open shelves instead of cabinetry.
A little cozy bistro kitchen with white and pink cabinets, a small kitchen island clad with tiles and a pretty retro pendant lamp.
A luxurious white kitchen with sleek cabinetry, a white marble backsplash and island, gold touches looks jaw-dropping.
A refined contemporary kitchen with dark cabinets, white marble countertops, a large kitchen island with a sitting zone.
A sleek minimalist kitchen with a large kitchen island, a white marble backsplash and gold touches here and there.
A small and cozy coastal kitchen with white cabients, a white subway tile backsplash, a grey kitchen island with a marble counter and rattan stools.
A small white kitchen with a subway tile backsplash, black fixtures and black stools and pendant bubble lamps.
A stylish contemporary kitchen with sleek white cabinets, a window as a backsplash and a large kitchen island with a marble countertop.
A vintage grey kitchen with a stained wooden island, a wooden hood, a white tile backsplash and glass sphere lamps.
A vintage rustic kitchen with stained cabinets, a white tile backsplash, a metal hood, wooden beams and a large green kitchen island.
A vivacious contemporary kitchen with white cabinetry and a marble kitchen island, black paneling, a large pendant lamp and color block stools.
A white boho coastal kitchen with chic cabinets, a window as a backsplash, wicker pendant lamps and greenery.
A cool inimalist kitchen design with a marble kitchen island.
An ultra-minimalist navy kitchen wiht a yellow niche, catchy pendant lamps, a large island with built-in appliances and chic stools.