10 Knockout Kitchen Islands
For design inspiration, consider this collection of kitchen islands in a range of styles and configurations
Bryan Anthony
June 20, 2020
The island is the centerpiece of many kitchens. It’s a place where you can sip your morning coffee, eat a casual lunch and gather in the evening with family and friends. A kitchen island also provides ample opportunity to showcase your style. Selecting the right configuration, materials, seating and lighting for your island can go a long way toward making your kitchen look its very best. Take a look at the following 10 kitchen island photos recently uploaded to Houzz and let us know in the Comments which one knocks you out.
1. High Contrast
This kitchen in Melbourne, Australia, designed by the team at Heartly is a case study in contrast. The ebony cabinets and island base stand out starkly against the white countertops and marble backsplash.
A sleek, linear brass light fixture above the island adds a touch of glam. And the bold blue counter stools provide a pop of color in the otherwise black-and-white space.
Find a kitchen designer near you
This kitchen in Melbourne, Australia, designed by the team at Heartly is a case study in contrast. The ebony cabinets and island base stand out starkly against the white countertops and marble backsplash.
A sleek, linear brass light fixture above the island adds a touch of glam. And the bold blue counter stools provide a pop of color in the otherwise black-and-white space.
Find a kitchen designer near you
2. Warm and Woodsy
A variety of wood tones in this Boston kitchen by Eleven Interiors creates a warm, welcoming vibe. The cabinets and island base are clean-lined and contemporary, while the lacquered wood island countertop leans more rustic.
Other standouts of the space include the midcentury-inspired counter stools, glass globe pendant lights and riveted copper range hood.
Shop for midcentury-style bar and counter stools
A variety of wood tones in this Boston kitchen by Eleven Interiors creates a warm, welcoming vibe. The cabinets and island base are clean-lined and contemporary, while the lacquered wood island countertop leans more rustic.
Other standouts of the space include the midcentury-inspired counter stools, glass globe pendant lights and riveted copper range hood.
Shop for midcentury-style bar and counter stools
3. Midcentury Magic
The island in this midcentury-style kitchen in Austin, Texas, helps ground the space. While the gas range and refrigerator feature an energetic shade of blue, the wood-paneled island base is painted a warm, comforting shade.
Midcentury-style wood-and-brass pendant lights, a sleek concrete floor and floating shelves complete the retro scene by QuarterLab Design Build.
The island in this midcentury-style kitchen in Austin, Texas, helps ground the space. While the gas range and refrigerator feature an energetic shade of blue, the wood-paneled island base is painted a warm, comforting shade.
Midcentury-style wood-and-brass pendant lights, a sleek concrete floor and floating shelves complete the retro scene by QuarterLab Design Build.
4. Cool Concrete
The sculptural concrete island in this kitchen designed by Collette Ward Interiors is clearly the star of the space. But this kitchen in Ireland also includes a bold backdrop of black cabinets and a bright orange feature wall that demand attention.
The sculptural concrete island in this kitchen designed by Collette Ward Interiors is clearly the star of the space. But this kitchen in Ireland also includes a bold backdrop of black cabinets and a bright orange feature wall that demand attention.
5. Terrific Teal
There’s lots to love about this San Francisco kitchen designed by Landed Interiors & Homes. The backsplash of bright yellow zellige tile, the cream-toned paneled cabinets and the brass hardware and fixtures are among the highlights.
The kitchen island features a base covered in vertical shiplap painted a terrific shade of teal and a marble countertop, which together balance the space to a tee.
There’s lots to love about this San Francisco kitchen designed by Landed Interiors & Homes. The backsplash of bright yellow zellige tile, the cream-toned paneled cabinets and the brass hardware and fixtures are among the highlights.
The kitchen island features a base covered in vertical shiplap painted a terrific shade of teal and a marble countertop, which together balance the space to a tee.
6. Classic Charmer
If you’re a fan of more traditional design, this Dallas kitchen by Haus of Blaylock might be for you. A pair of grand crystal chandeliers above the island makes a dramatic statement.
The island base includes multiple cabinets for extra storage. Six counter stools covered in blue-and-white checkered fabric visually connect to the serving platter hung above the range.
If you’re a fan of more traditional design, this Dallas kitchen by Haus of Blaylock might be for you. A pair of grand crystal chandeliers above the island makes a dramatic statement.
The island base includes multiple cabinets for extra storage. Six counter stools covered in blue-and-white checkered fabric visually connect to the serving platter hung above the range.
7. Tantalizing Tile
The team at Peter Schaad Design Studio covered the island in this Melbourne, Australia, kitchen in a mosaic of hand-painted tile that adds instant character to the space. A trio of perforated copper pendant lights above the island provides another eclectic touch.
The team at Peter Schaad Design Studio covered the island in this Melbourne, Australia, kitchen in a mosaic of hand-painted tile that adds instant character to the space. A trio of perforated copper pendant lights above the island provides another eclectic touch.
8. Book and Wine Club
The multifunctional island in this London kitchen designed by Sarah Mailer Design includes a built-in wine refrigerator and a large open cubby for storing cookbooks. The design team painted the island base navy blue to provide strong contrast to the light gray perimeter cabinets.
The multifunctional island in this London kitchen designed by Sarah Mailer Design includes a built-in wine refrigerator and a large open cubby for storing cookbooks. The design team painted the island base navy blue to provide strong contrast to the light gray perimeter cabinets.
9. Stylish Slats
The team at Enigma Design in Ireland covered the right half of the island base in vertical wood slats that visually connect to the slatted perimeter cabinet on the back wall. The kitchen also includes a trio of metal cage pendant lights above the island that reinforce the vertical lines of the space.
The team at Enigma Design in Ireland covered the right half of the island base in vertical wood slats that visually connect to the slatted perimeter cabinet on the back wall. The kitchen also includes a trio of metal cage pendant lights above the island that reinforce the vertical lines of the space.
10. Bronze and Bold
The team at Hanset Metal Fabricators custom-designed the dramatic island for this stylish Portland, Oregon, kitchen. It features a marble countertop and a stained wood base and shelves.
The base of the island is outlined in polished bronze. The warm metal is picked up throughout the kitchen, including in the counter stools, lighting, range hood and custom shelving units also built by the team at Hanset.
More on Houzz
What’s Popular for Kitchen Islands in Remodeled Kitchens
The Pros and Cons of Kitchen Islands
Look for a kitchen designer near you
Shop for metal pendant lights for your kitchen
The team at Hanset Metal Fabricators custom-designed the dramatic island for this stylish Portland, Oregon, kitchen. It features a marble countertop and a stained wood base and shelves.
The base of the island is outlined in polished bronze. The warm metal is picked up throughout the kitchen, including in the counter stools, lighting, range hood and custom shelving units also built by the team at Hanset.
More on Houzz
What’s Popular for Kitchen Islands in Remodeled Kitchens
The Pros and Cons of Kitchen Islands
Look for a kitchen designer near you
Shop for metal pendant lights for your kitchen
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I love the Bronze and Bold!
We've had an island with barstools for 10 years now. The barstools have been used maybe 5 times in those years. Next time we'll do banquet seating and table on the backside of the bar instead.
We have a large U shaped kitchen with a 9 foot peninsula, and a 4th wall with double pantry cabs plus 2 sets of lower cabinets with drawers and shelves above. Sometimes with these open large island kitchens there just isn't enough cabinet space for me! We have 4 chairs at the peninsula and they get used all the time!