26 Genius Kitchen Island Ideas: Style And Functionality

Welcome to our gallery featuring 100 kitchen islands with seating for a variety of number of people and including all types island chairs and bar stools.

When it comes to kitchen islands, more counter space is always a welcome addition to a kitchen.

An island can help to utilize the space in a large kitchen or provide more food preparation and dining space.

You can also use the island to separate the kitchen from the living area or a dining area.

Kitchen islands with seating also add to the kitchen’s overall functionality—not to mention its aesthetic appeal.

We hope these kitchen island ideas will help you gather some inspiration for creating your own dream kitchen.

We’re also going to share some kitchen island chairs and bar stools that can make the space even more functional.

1. Add storage space to your kitchen island

Storage is a must-have in any kitchen, and a kitchen island is the perfect place to add more storage space.

You can add cabinets, drawers, or even shelves to your island to keep things organized and out of the way.

This is a great way to store things like pots and pans, small appliances, and even a trash and recycling bin.

2. Create more seating

One of the most common uses for a kitchen island is to create additional seating. This can be a great option if you love to entertain, or if you have a big family and need more room at the table.

There are a few different ways you can add seating to your kitchen island. One option is to have a raised bar area with stools.

This is a great way to hide any mess in the kitchen if you’re entertaining, and it also creates a nice visual divide between the kitchen and the dining area.

You could also add a lower table to the end of your island, or create a multi-level island with a combination of bar seating and a lower table.

3. Get a stove top in your kitchen island

If you are designing a kitchen from scratch and want to incorporate a stove, a kitchen island is a great place to do it.

You can even have an extractor fan built into the island too, so the stove is completely separate from the rest of your units.

We love how this kitchen island has been used to create a divide between the kitchen and the dining area.

The dark wood and marble add a contemporary edge to the kitchen, while the dining area is much softer and more traditional.

4. Add a sink to your kitchen island

If you have the budget and the space, adding a sink to your kitchen island is a great way to create a separate zone for food prep.

You’ll need to make sure that you can run plumbing to your island, but if that’s not possible you could consider a sink with a removable water tank.

5. Create more counter space

If you’re a keen cook, you’ll know that you can never have too much counter space.

The kitchen island in this kitchen designed by us ample room for prep work, but it also has a sink and an integrated dishwasher, which means the main sink and surrounding areas can be kept clear while you cook.

6. Make your kitchen island multi-level

If you like the idea of having a breakfast bar, but you want to keep the dining area separate, consider making your kitchen island multi-level.

This will allow you to have a higher section for dining and a lower section for prepping food.

In this kitchen, the island is also home to the sink and dishwasher, so it’s a good idea to have the higher level as the dining area.

The lower level is home to the hob and additional storage.

7. Add a wine rack to your kitchen island

Okay, so this kitchen island idea is probably the dream of many of us.

After all, what could be better than having your wine collection right at your fingertips?

For those of us who don’t have a wine collection, a wine rack can also be used to store other beverages, like sodas, and even towels if you don’t want to use it for wine.

8. Add a bookshelf to your kitchen island

This kitchen island is packed with clever storage solutions, including a bookshelf at the end of the island.

This is a great place to store your cookbooks, or if you are a plant parent, you could use the space to display your favorite houseplants.

In addition to the bookshelf, this island also has a drawer for cutlery and cooking utensils, a wine rack, and a built-in spice rack.

9. Add outlets to your kitchen island

If you’re going to be using your kitchen island to prep food, you’ll likely want to have some outlets installed.

This way, you can use your small appliances (like a stand mixer or blender) right on the island.

This kitchen island has an outlet built right into the side, so you can plug in your devices and get to work.

10. Make your kitchen island two-toned

If you’re looking for a way to add color to your kitchen, but don’t want to commit to a full set of colored cabinets, then a two-toned island is a great way to experiment with color.

We love how this kitchen island has a bold blue shade on the base and is then topped with a more neutral wood.

This is a great look for a modern kitchen, and you could choose any combination of colors.

If you want your kitchen island to be the focal point of the room, go for a bright or dark color, and then choose a more muted color for your wall and base cabinets.

11. Make your kitchen island stand out with contrasting paint

Adding a pop of color to your kitchen island is a great way to introduce a new color to your kitchen without having to paint all of your cabinets.

Here, the designer used a bold shade of blue to paint the kitchen island, which really makes it the focal point of the kitchen.

The blue color also ties in with the blue tiles that are used on the sink wall, creating a cohesive look.

12. Make your kitchen island stand out with a pop of color

If you’re going to invest in a kitchen island, why not make it the focal point of the room?

If you have a more neutral color scheme in your kitchen, a pop of color on your island can make a bold statement.

This kitchen island has been painted a rich shade of blue, and it’s the first thing you notice when you walk into the room.

13. Protect your kitchen island with a butcher block

If you’re worried about the wear and tear your kitchen island will go through, especially if it’s a high-traffic area, consider protecting it with a butcher block.

This kitchen island idea is also a great way to break up the materials you use in your kitchen.

Here, deVOL Kitchens used a butcher block for the countertop and then a marble slab for the sink area.

14. Add a chalkboard to your kitchen island

A chalkboard is a great addition to any kitchen, providing a fun and easy way to keep track of your shopping list, write down recipe ideas or simply leave a note for your family.

In this modern country kitchen, the chalkboard is built into the kitchen island, adding an extra dimension to the cooking space.

If you’re not keen on the idea of a chalkboard, you could use a whiteboard instead.

15. Cover your kitchen island in marble

If you’re a fan of the all-white kitchen trend, then a marble-topped island is a must.

It’s a great way to add a little texture to the room without overwhelming the space.

Here, the marble on the island is a little more gray than the rest of the countertops, but it still works beautifully.

16. Add a waterfall countertop to your kitchen island

A waterfall countertop is where the countertop material flows over the top and down the sides of the island, creating a seamless look.

This works particularly well with quartz, granite, marble, and concrete countertops, and it’s a great way to make a statement and add a touch of luxury to your kitchen.

17. Add a pet feeding station to your kitchen island

If you have a furry friend, you can easily incorporate a pet feeding station into your kitchen island.

This idea, by deVOL Kitchens, features a built-in pet feeding station on the end of an island that has a raised counter.

This is a great way to keep pet food and water bowls out of the way, and it’s perfect for large dogs who need a little extra height when eating.

18. Make your kitchen island a different shape

Kitchen islands are usually rectangular, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to the norm.

If you have a large kitchen, you can use a different shape to zone the island.

In this kitchen, the island is circular, which creates a clear distinction between the cooking and dining areas.

The circular shape also makes it easier to move around the kitchen, and it’s a great way to soften the look of a large space.

19. Add a bar to your kitchen island

Adding a bar to your kitchen island is a great way to create a social space in your kitchen.

This kitchen island has a raised bar area with enough seating for four people.

The bar area is a great place to sit and chat with the cook, and it’s also a good spot to enjoy a casual meal.

You could even add a TV to the wall to create a cozy breakfast nook in your kitchen.

20. Add a kitchen island on wheels

If you have a small kitchen, a kitchen island might feel like an impossible dream.

However, a kitchen island on wheels could be the answer to your space problems.

You can move your island out of the way when you’re not using it, and then roll it to wherever you need it in the kitchen.

Plus, the extra counter space and storage are always a good idea, no matter how much space you have.

For more small kitchen island ideas, check out our feature.

21. Add a kitchen island with a unique shape

If you want to add a kitchen island to a compact kitchen, you may need to get creative with the shape.

This design by deVOL features a narrow island with a unique curved shape. The curve adds a subtle point of interest in an otherwise simple space.

By adding a curve, you can also create a little extra space for a couple of bar stools, which is perfect for a small household.

If you need more space, you could also add a second curved island on the opposite side of the kitchen.

22. Add a kitchen island with a built-in seating area

If you have the space, a built-in seating area is a great way to add a casual dining spot to your kitchen.

This kitchen island idea is perfect for families and those who love to entertain and chat with guests while they cook.

You can use bar stools or chairs and bench seating to create a space that suits your kitchen and your family’s needs.

23. Add a kitchen island that can be hidden

If you want the look of a kitchen island but want to be able to clear it away when you need more space, this idea is the best of both worlds.

A kitchen island on wheels can be wheeled out of the way when you need more space.

It can also be wheeled over to your dining table to create a buffet space for parties.

Shop more kitchen islands on wheels below.

24. Add a kitchen island with a built-in fish tank

This is definitely one of the most unique kitchen island ideas we have seen. This kitchen island houses a built-in fish tank, and we are in love.

It’s all part of a larger industrial-style kitchen with a concrete floor, exposed brick walls, and a large window.

The island itself is a simple design, with a stainless steel countertop and a wood base.

The fish tank is a great way to add a pop of color and life to the space and makes for a unique focal point.

25. Add a kitchen island with a built-in cutting board

If you love to cook, you know that having a cutting board handy is a must. But, if you’re tight on counter space, it can be a challenge to find space to chop, slice, and dice.

A built-in cutting board is a great way to add functionality to your kitchen island.

This clever design allows you to have a cutting board at the ready without taking up any extra space.

You can even get a custom cutting board that fits right into your island’s countertop.

If you’re looking to add a pop of color to your kitchen, consider using a different type of wood for your cutting board.

This is a great way to add visual interest and tie the island into the rest of the kitchen’s design.

Conclusion

After looking through all of these kitchen island designs, you may have a better idea of what you want in your kitchen.

If you want to add a kitchen island to your home, it will require a few home renovations.

To help make the process easier, you can use a home renovation app like ours to plan the project.