I would definitely not use tile there. What color are your other cabinets? You could color match the island doors, or match it to the other cabinets if white, or to your white trim/wainscoting. What color and material are you using for your countertop? The cabinet doors are very modern, so I would keep it simple with paint.

Islands are all one color. If you just built it? I would lose the "breakfast height" over hang right now. Cut it down to counter level. Its pretty dated : )

I would paint the island all one color.

I agree with other here - all one color and would advise against tile on an island.

Use matching panels from the same place you got your cabinets that should have been planned from the beginning and I agree sitting on a 30” stool is not comfortable for many people and that raised bar wastes valuable counter space .this is the perfect time to change that to all one level before ordering your counter top.

The reason it became"dated"? The lower height makes the space feel more open, that ledge becomes a dumping ground, a counter height stool is more convenient for kids and the elderly. People began to realize that........!! If you believe it hides mess in the sink? Not so much. Everyone has a sink and temporary messes, anyway.

Hi, Marty. Love the door color you're using. It that Ikea? I agree with others that the island should be all one color. If this were my project, I would paint the sides to match the doors.

I wanted to mention your toe kick, or lack thereof. I think you're going to regret that. The front and back of my island have toe kicks but the sides are flush. I can't tell you how many times I've stepped on or kicked the flush side of my island with my toes. If you have an opportunity to change this, consider making it a traditional recessed toe kick.

Also, your floors look great with the island doors!

This appears to have been designed by a rough carpenter, not a kitchen designer. It all needs to be put on hold until that design can be altered. You’ve got several untenable issues, from the non existent toe kick, to the missing finished side panels, to the won’t physically support anything breakfast bar pop up. Those have to be redesigned before you move forward. No hacks. It’s going to require backtracking first. Post your layout, so we can see what’s being worked with.

Island all one color. No tile, and no two tones.

@zmith thanks yes these are IKEA doors. I’ll be cutting the toe kick in today

@live_wire _oak I’m doing it myself. I will he lay a sheet of 1/2 over the top so it’ll all be boxed in for strong support.

@jan Moyer I’m considering it

Thanks everyone for the advice. I thinking of putting doors all the way around and removing the “breakfast height” and adding the toe kick

Marty, I think you need horizontal bracing on the backside as well, before adding doors. I don't know if the metal Ikea straps are enough. Ideally you would have built a pony wall and then covered it up with something decorative.

Don't forget elect!!!!

You’ve got some structural design issues here. Time to drop back to the initial plan and fix a few things. You have to work with your material selection. This is trying to work outside those limitations, and doesn’t account for engineering for counter support or a few other things already noted. Post your plan.

I will be adding back support on the cabinets using 3/4 wood

Plywood cladding is not sufficient alteration for what ails this.

So here the finish results it’s nice and strong still have a lot to do but it’s getting there. With my 2 60” doors on the wall I believe I may have to use 3 hinges on each door because i just can’t get the gap right

The color is beautiful with your floor!

Looks fabulous, Marty! Yes to 3 hinges on the big doors. IKEA has heavyweight hinges specifically for the larger doors. I think you need them if you don’t already have a pair on the 60” doors.

I only have 2. I have to get a few more.

I was just admiring those recycled PET bottle doors on IKEA today. They look great! What kind of hardware are you considering? I think those look low maintenance and smooth, so they shouldn't collect dust. I'd be trying to avoid housework if I were designing a house today.

Looks great with ur floor!