22 Beautiful Kitchen Island Ideas That Will Transform Your Cooking Space

Sunny and Spacious

The oversized, marble-topped island in this London home designed by Kelly Hoppen Interiors adds ample workspace to a more casual kitchen. The warm, golden hue and exposed shelves filled with woven baskets complement the cream-colored cabinetry and stone floors for a modern take on tradition.

Natural Stone

Stone makes a major impact in this sleek, black-and-white kitchen from Ali Budd Interiors. Two islands keep work and social spaces defined: The first includes a built-in prep sink directly across from the cooking area, while a second lets guests chat with the chef—without getting in the way.

Warm Woods

Budd also designed this four-seat island, which has a marble top that perfectly matches the counters and column-inspired legs. Using medium-toned wood for the lower cabinets grounds the white uppers and the painted brick hood, keeping the space from feeling too plain.

Mix and Match

This kitchen didn't have enough width for an island with a seating overhang, so the homeowners went for length instead. One end of the island became a table, with polished wood replacing the countertop surface to create a dedicated dining space.

Room With a View

This beach house kitchen has access to the back porch and a view of the scenery, so interior designer Grey Joyner used a white-on-white color palette, lucite-legged stools, and a shorter island to keep the space open and airy.

"We knew we had limited space to work with, but the island still needed to be functional as a place to prep, sit, and eat," she says. "The star of this home is the view, as it looks out onto the water, so we certainly wanted to keep that as the focus."

Double Up

Designer Megan Gorelick installed two islands in this white-and-wood kitchen, which was built to accommodate a large family. "In this case, we had a griddle built into the first island so you can flip pancakes," she says. "The swivel seats allow multiple conversations to happen at once without anyone missing out."

Conversation Starter

This roomy beach house kitchen has two islands: One directly across from the range that's ideal for chopping and prep work and a second with bi-level seating facing a wall of windows.

"The big island boasts all of the tools a foodie and entertainer needs, like a custom wine refrigerator, an ice freezer, and more," says Gorelick. "And with chairs of varying heights, no one is left out of the conversation. The overall look and feel is modern and contemporary, with warmth and personality added by the natural light and the people that visit."

Gold and Green

The neutral tones in this comfortable kitchen from Silo Studios are balanced by a mix of textures—the varied tile on the backsplash, the warm brass accents, and the light wood floors. The space is anchored by an elegant, hunter-green island with seating for four.

Meal Prep

A small, open-bottom island like this one can be an important space for rolling out dough and setting up appetizers. Woven chairs with fuzzy upholstery keep the space inviting for guests; the black legs match the lower cabinets, which prevents the room from feeling visually overwhelming.

Two-Tone Tans

A waterfall countertop in a light brown marble complements the rich brown kitchen cabinetry in this project by interior design firm Stil James. Offset stools are placed toward the end of the island, instead of across from the sink, creating a clear spot for snacks and drinks.

Shaping Up

The L-shaped island in this kitchen is wide enough to connect the range and sink areas, creating a functional work triangle. However, it's also narrow enough at the opposite end for some extra seating that doesn't block access to the double oven.

Sit and Eat

Instead of placing all the chairs in a line, the stools in this kitchen are grouped together around one end. This helps delineate the seating area from the work area, which has drawers, a built-in refrigerator, and a sink.

Storage Solutions

If your kitchen doesn't have enough square footage for an island with counter seating, then skip the stools in favor of extra storage. Multiple drawers and cabinets make this island a convenient spot for stashing baking tools, utensils, and other kitchen essentials. The counter, meanwhile, provides a much-needed work zone.

Black and White

This island's lower cabinets serve as glass-fronted decorative storage for stacks of plates. It's a beautiful accent piece that complements the room's contemporary, black-and-white palette, as well as its sleek materials.

Use It (or Move It)

A small, square butcher block offers a versatile extra workspace in this pint-sized kitchen. You can use it as a cutting board, a drop zone, or a makeshift bar—or move it aside to create additional floor space.

Sense of Shelf

Maximize your island's footprint by adding open shelving on the end, creating storage in an area that doesn't fit a standard cabinet. You can also use it to display your cookbook collection, a favorite vase, or stacks of ingredients in beautiful containers.

Blue Mood

This kitchen's deep, wide island provides both cozy seating and an uninterrupted workspace. The wooden top sets it apart from the rest of the counters in the space, adding a natural warmth that complements the metallic pendants and blue color scheme.

Gold Touches

If your kitchen opens to an adjoining living space, then a purely functional island may feel too cold or stark. Thankfully, you can counteract this by using a warm wood tone for the lower cabinets and adding plush stools with chic gold framing.

On an Angle

An angled island divides this kitchen into two distinct areas, marking off room for work, while also leaving space for a cozy, curved seating nook. The asymmetrical shape allows for easy passage between the island and opposite wall, while two stools fit beneath to maximize the space.

Form and Function

The beautiful flooring in this kitchen is on full display under an open, counter-height table, which serves as both a dining spot and an extra prep station. The low stools can tuck underneath the double-sided table to clear the walkways during busy cooking periods.

On the Bench

In place of stools along the island, this homeowner opted for an upholstered bench. This option creates comfortable seating for a four-person dining table that's close to the action—but not sharing space with the chef.

A Central Sink

On this ivory island, a full-size farmhouse sink, overlooks both the sunny breakfast nook and the kitchen's sweeping outdoor views—making dish duty a privilege, not a chore.