Frequently Asked Questions
How should I design my kitchen island?
If you’re starting from scratch, you have a bevy of options, but what you should consider first and foremost is how you’ll use your kitchen island. If you don’t think you or your family will actually sit at the island, skip the stools and add more storage space. If the kitchen is where guests often convene when you host a gathering, add a handful of stools and leave extra standing room. If you envision your island as a meal prep zone, maximize your counter space so you can easily fit all of your ingredients as you chop, stir, and store. Whatever you decided, everyone will be shouting, “Yes, chef!”
What is the best size for a kitchen island?
Whether a small kitchen island or a large one, designs that take your habits into consideration will work best. There’s no use in a massive kitchen island that isn’t practical, but you also don’t want to feel cramped. When deciding on your kitchen layout, make sure you leave enough breathing room between the island and its surrounding countertops and appliances.
“Almost always, the size of the space dictates what size island we end up designing for any project,” Oholendt of Oho Interiors concurs. “There are rare exceptions to this rule, but I’d say we always have eyes on the fine balance between traffic patterns—and how wide of a zone we need for any given path, ideally four to four and a half feet—and the functionality of ensuring the island is sized appropriately for both the space and the needs of our clients.”
What looks good on a kitchen island?
It’s best to err on the side of utility for a kitchen island—you don’t want the surface to be covered in knickknacks when it’s time to make dinner. Invest in eye-catching fruit bowls, a pair of well-designed salt and pepper mills, or a pitcher that will look pretty even when it’s not in use. Otherwise, keep this isle clear. You can scratch your decorating itch better by focusing on the island’s surrounding elements. Consider a unique pendant light or counter stools that are just as satisfying aesthetically as they are functionally.
When it comes time to host, you can transform your island from day to night by dressing it up with platters, punch bowls, and other serve-ware. Whether you favor minimalist earthenware or punchy painted porcelain, these pieces can add personality without compromising the day-to-day functionality of your kitchen.
Should your kitchen island match your cabinets?
The case could be made for both a completely uniform kitchen and a completely mismatched kitchen. If you lean traditional, it’s probably best to keep things matchy-matchy, but if you favor a more eclectic style, try contrasting colors to create an especially memorable space. Regardless, find a way for the kitchen island to have some ties to your cabinets and the surrounding countertops.
One way you can accomplish this is by choosing a couple decorative accents for the island countertop that match the color or material of your cabinets. As an example, if you have a butcher block island countertop but the surrounding countertops are marble, place a marble fruit bowl on your kitchen island. Another option is to work the color of your backsplash into your kitchen island design. The options are endless, but details like these can help communicate intentionality.
How do I make my kitchen island stand out?
It’s best not to rely too much on extra decorative accents that would take up valuable workspace, so often your choice of materials is the best way to make an island stand out. “In general terms, the island is an opportunity to break up a vast amount of cabinetry, but you want it to have some kinship with the other pieces,” Peterson of Heather Peterson Design advises. “Maybe the door style is the same but the island has a different material in the panel. Maybe the wood species or finish sheen changes.” If you’re in the planning or redesign process, consider how your kitchen island countertop material choice might contrast with the rest of the room to start.
If you’re trying to figure out a way to make your already constructed island pop, zero in on a single decorative accent for the island—anything more could end up feeling cluttered when you set out to meal prep or lay out a spread of hors d’oeuvres when hosting. An eye-catching fruit bowl, a woven tray, or a sleek vase can all be excellent choices, depending on the style and color scheme of your kitchen.
What can be used as a kitchen island?
If your kitchen has enough room for an island, there are a number of practical and stylish options for adding one in. The traditional route is to have a kitchen island custom built for your space, but if you’re in a rental, don’t have the budget for a custom-built island, or just want something in the space quicker, you can buy a prefab kitchen island as well. A variety of retailers, like Wayfair and Crate & Barrel, sell kitchen islands in a range of price points, styles, and sizes. If you have sufficient space for an island but your kitchen is still on the smaller side, choosing one that’s on wheels can add flexibility. If you’re not afraid of a DIY project, you can try to build a kitchen island yourself, whether from prefabricated modified cabinet bases or from raw materials, if you’re in the DIY big leagues.
