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Getting your kitchen island style and design right isn’t always easy. Luckily for you, this post on the best kitchen island ideas is the perfect place to get inspiration. In it, we’ll cover a wide range of tips and ideas covering everything from style and design to functionality.
So, without wasting any time, let’s dive straight in.
Add a breakfast bar to your kitchen island
The first kitchen island idea on our list is adding a breakfast bar. Turning your kitchen island into a breakfast bar or adding a small breakfast bar onto the side can turn your standard kitchen island into a wonderful kitchen seating area. Sometimes this can be as easy as adding a few breakfast bar stools, but other times you may need to attach a small breakfast bar to the side of your kitchen island.
Check out our breakfast bar stools for inspiration. We have a large collection to choose from in a variety of different materials, styles and colours.
Make the space more dynamic with swivel bar stools
Although a kitchen island doesn’t necessarily have to include seating, it does create a nice place to have breakfast and enjoy your kitchen. If you do opt for seating, then swivel bar stools are a no-brainer. They not only make the space more dynamic by allowing you to place the stools anywhere you like, but they also make getting on and off easier.
We have a large range of swivel bar stools in stock, allowing you to find the perfect style, colour and model for your kitchen island.
Use a waterfall edge to create a modern, sleek look
If you want to add a touch of luxury to your kitchen, then a kitchen island with a waterfall edge might be just what you’re looking for. The continuous edge creates a sleek and modern look as it flows effortlessly over the side towards the floor. This certainly isn’t one we could leave off our list of the best kitchen island ideas.
Although waterfall edge kitchen islands can be expensive, especially when they’re made of stone or marble, there are plenty of wooden varieties that aren’t as costly. This can allow you to enjoy the same luxurious feel without the hefty price tag.
Create something unique by opting for an industrial-style kitchen island
Industrial-style kitchens have been growing in popularity over the recent years, and for good reason! This style not only caters to those looking for something modern, but it also creates a unique look that most would say has a lot more character than your normal modern design/style.
Why not take a look at our industrial-style bar stools for inspiration? We stock a large range of different colours and designs, all of which are great in an industrial-style kitchen. You don’t even need to switch up your current kitchen island if you combine them with a nice set of industrial lights, as just a few changes can already have a big impact on the look and feel of the room.
Alternatively, you could try brushed steel bar stools for an industrial yet sleek look.
Make sure there’s plenty of room for sitting
Although not everyone opts for a bar area attached to their kitchen island, if you do, it’s important to ensure there’s enough space in the room. The amount of space you need somewhat depends on the number of people in the house, with some opting for a small two-seating bar while others go for a larger seating area with four or six bar stools.
Selecting the right bar stools is an important part of this since certain stools take up more room than others. If you have a lot of space you need to fill, larger stools with armrests are a great option. However, if you need to squeeze in a few extra seats, smaller bar stools are a great alternative.
Make sure it’s the right size and shape for the room
Kitchen islands can look great if they’re done right which is why getting inspiration and ideas from posts like this is so important. However, if they’re not the right shape or size then they can make the room look awfully strange. A good kitchen island design will follow the style of the room it’s in.
When it comes to size, it really depends on the style you’re going for and the amount of space you have. It needs to be large enough to be functional and fill the space, but not so large that it makes it difficult for you to move around in the kitchen.
If you already have a kitchen island that’s the right size then there’s nothing left to change. However, if you’re looking to add a new kitchen island to your kitchen, it’s worth working with a professional to ensure the size and shape are right.
The right height for functionality and design
This next tip may be an obvious one, but… Besides looking good, a kitchen island also has to be the right height for you to use it. If you want to turn a section of your kitchen island into a breakfast bar, this can be a little more challenging. This is due to the fact that kitchen islands are generally a little lower than a standard bar. This leads many people to create a separate attachment for the bar area, slightly raise the height of their kitchen island to allow everyone to sit comfortably, or opt for lower bar stools that allow you to sit comfortably.
In the end, this step is about finding the right balance for you. There are plenty of ways to ensure your kitchen island is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, it’s up to you to find out which method works best for your kitchen.
Add some colour to the kitchen using your kitchen island
Although many people opt for a kitchen island that follows the general style and colour of the room, some people use their kitchen island to add a touch of colour to the room. Contrasting cabinet colours or brightly coloured bar stools are a great way of doing this.
If you want to add some colour to your kitchen island, take a look at our orange bar stools and blue bar stools. Or, if you want something a little less bright, we also have a range of green bar stools to help you spruce up your kitchen island.
Create a child-friendly space with adjustable height bar stools
The next kitchen island idea on this list is using adjustable bar stools to make the room more dynamic.
Creating a space that’s both dynamic and child-friendly takes effort and planning. Although it’s going to be difficult to create a kitchen island with a section at a different height for the kids, you can make it more child-friendly by choosing adjustable bar stools.
Adjustable bar stools aren’t just great for kids either as they can allow anyone to select the right height for them. This ensures that everyone sits comfortably and can enjoy their time in your kitchen.
Use your new kitchen island to add extra storage space to your kitchen
Adding some kitchen cabinets to your kitchen island increases the storage space in your kitchen, and it’s a tip we certainly couldn’t forget to add to this post. Everyone hates cluttered draws stuffed to the brim with pots, pans and even storage containers and kitchen appliances. A few extra kitchen counters might be just what you need to finally have a well-ordered kitchen where everything’s easy to find and access.
There are plenty of alternative options to kitchen cabinets too, including kitchen draws and hangers. Even if you don’t want to install a completely new kitchen island, you can still use the space more effectively to allow you to store more things. The sky’s the limit when it comes to additional storage space so make sure to take all options into account before deciding on your new kitchen island design.
Add an extra worktop to create a functional, raised bar area
If your current kitchen island design is a little too low for bar stools, then why not add an additional raised bar area to it to allow you to use your kitchen island as a breakfast bar? This can be done in a way that matches the island, but it can also be done in a contrasting colour to add a little variation.
Kitchen island style tip: A raised worktop is also a great way of extending your kitchen island if you feel it’s a little on the small side. That being said, you could also choose to raise a section of your island without increasing the size, ensuring it doesn’t take up any extra room depending on what the best idea is for your home.
Marble surfaces create a luxurious look
Although kitchen islands can be made out of a variety of materials, nothing beats marble! Marble surfaces look elegant and suit a variety of different styles, ranging from traditional to modern. Marble comes in a wide range of colours, styles and patterns and that’s what makes it so extremely versatile.
The only downside is that marble is relatively expensive. That being said, you can cut costs by opting for a second-hand worktop or a cheaper type of marble. This means that if you take the time to research the right type for your kitchen and budget, you should be able to find a worktop that’s right for you.
Bonus tip: If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, check out Carrera marble. It looks great and is one of the least expensive kinds of marble available.
A centre stove makes cooking more social
A centre stove can make cooking far more fun, allowing you to face people in the room or at your breakfast bar while cooking. Although not all kitchen islands have a stove, it can drastically change the look and feel of your kitchen.
Centre stoves are a great option for open-plan spaces as they make the space feel even more open.
Quick tip: It’s a lot easier to add an electric stove to your kitchen island and they’re also generally less expensive to install!
Use leather or velvet to add a touch of luxury to your kitchen
Both leather and velvet can make a space look more elegant and luxurious. Although very different materials, with leather being more durable and velvet being softer and more comfortable, both add a touch of class to a kitchen that other materials can’t.
Leather bar stools are a great option for a rustic look, but also work very well for modern kitchen islands. Velvet bar stools work in a range of different styles and are extra soft and comfortable.
Mix and match your kitchen cabinets
Depending on the style you’re after, you can either choose to match your kitchen island cabinets to your normal kitchen cabinets or opt for something different. Adding a touch of colour or a slightly new design can also be a great way of switching things up, so taking the time to find the perfect set of kitchen island cabinets is certainly recommended.
Create an island yourself with a large table
If you’re working with a smaller budget or you’d prefer something that’s a little less permanent, why not use a large table to create a kitchen island in your kitchen? You can not only use it as a breakfast bar but you can also use it as a kitchen countertop, just like a normal kitchen island.
One of the main advantages you have when opting for this method is that it’s just as easy to remove as it is to install. Even if you’re still considering a built-in kitchen island, it may be worth testing the layout with a large table before opting for something permanent.
Oak cabinets are timeless
Whether you’re going for a modern look or something more traditional, oak cabinets never seem to go out of style!
Although real oak cabinets can be expensive, they make a great addition to any kitchen island and look great with most kitchen styles. Not only that, but the darker colour looks great if contrasted with a lighter-coloured countertop.
Classic colours like blacks, greys and whites create a modern, calm look
Even though it can be tempting to go all out with various bright colours, whites, greys and blacks never go out of style. Why not try matching lighter counters with a grey-coloured countertop and black bar stools?
Whatever you choose, know that if you go for classic colours like grey, white and black, you can be sure that your kitchen won’t ever go out of style!
A curved, fluid island creates a more elegant look
If you want your kitchen island to look as elegant as possible, a curved edge may be exactly what you’re looking for. It looks a lot “softer” on the eyes and can even help it fit the room better in certain homes.
You could try a curved bar on one side of the kitchen island, or create a completely oval shape for an even more curved look.
Multifunctional design in a small kitchen
If you’re designing a kitchen island for a small kitchen, then a multifunctional design is all the more important. However, adding certain features can be useful for a large space too. Hidden drawers, a bin, a bar and a place to prepare food can all be included in a kitchen island, as well as extra storage space, both underneath and above the worktop.
Pinterest is a great place to get more inspiration and multifunctional kitchen island ideas and it can help you improve the functionality of your kitchen in general too.
A rustic look for a rustic home
A more traditional rustic look can be a great option for certain homes, especially if you’re looking to create a homely look and feel. Natural, darker colours like browns, reds and even blues work great for rustic-style kitchen islands.
Hanging lights to add some character
Hanging lights are a great way of giving a room some character and they can be a great addition to your kitchen island too. Depending on the style of your kitchen island, you can choose to opt for modern lights, industrial, traditional or another style of your choice.
Add functionality with built-in sockets
Built-in sockets may not be essential but they sure are a “nice-to-have”, especially when they’re built into the island itself. Not only does it make the kitchen highly functional and makes it easier to use appliances and charge your phone, but it can also be a unique conversation piece.
There are many different kinds of built-in sockets on the market today so there are plenty to choose from.
Conclusion
Kitchen island ideas can be hard to come by, but we hope that this blog post has given you the inspiration you need. If you’re still struggling with the style or design of your kitchen island, or you’d like some more information about the bar stools we offer and whether or not they’re a good fit for your island, feel free to reach out.
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