Seven Ideas for a Kitchen Island
Kitchen Islands are not only practical but also increase the value of your home. Today, I am sharing my white kitchen islands and seven ideas for yours.
It is easy to be overwhelmed by the many choices available for kitchen islands. If you are on the fence about whether to add one or use it differently than you do today, keep reading before you make your decision!
Why are Kitchen Islands So Popular?
That’s easy.
Kitchen islands are incredible workplaces. They typically have large spaces that can be used for kitchen prep, serving, and eating. A kitchen island also serves as a nice “barrier” to the kitchen—in a good way. It can create space between the cook and those who are eating.
Plus, they are a natural space to set up a bar or food when entertaining.
Ideas for a Kitchen Island
If you are planning a kitchen remodel, want to add an island, or perhaps replace the island you have, these ideas should be useful. I would love it if you left your thoughts in the comments, too.
I did want to mention two essentials for any kitchen island. One is a trash receptacle that is accessible on the backside. I love opening the trash cabinet and scraping my vegetable skins straight into the trash.
I also highly suggest you add electricity to your island. This is so important for small appliances, a lamp (which I love on our island!), and even a glue gun if you use your island for crafts (which I do!). Two power strips are on each side, just under the top. The electricity runs through one of the legs of the island and under the floor.
A White Kitchen Island
When I started thinking about the kitchen in our 100-year-old home, I knew two things: It would be timeless, and second, I would have a white island.
I love to cook and host dinner parties, so I knew the island would be significant for cooking and entertaining.
It’s funny that almost every time I post a photo of our kitchen, I get a question about our white kitchen island.
I am going to try to answer the most commonly asked questions here.
- Where did you buy your island? Our cabinet maker made our island when we remodeled our kitchen in 2000. It’s one of a kind, although I know quite a few of my readers have used our white kitchen island as an inspiration for theirs!
- What are the dimensions of your island? It is 3′ wide by 6′ long and 38″ tall. Please note that I made sure all of our cabinets and the island were 2″ higher than the standard because we are such a tall family. Why? Because I am 5’11” tall.
- What color is your island? The kitchen island is painted with Dunn Edwards Swiss Coffee, the color of our cabinets and trim.
- What is on the backside of the island? There is a center pull-out trash, drawers, and cabinets. Here is a photo of the backside.
A Farmhouse Kitchen Island
Our white kitchen island is also a farmhouse kitchen island. Its shaker cabinet and “furniture-style” legs are perfect for this kitchen style.
The island in our Waco home is also a farmhouse kitchen island. But it was not made; I found a vintage piece at an antique sale (Roundtop in Texas). I bought the island for $300, so it was much less expensive than having one made. It had a dark, newer wood piece on top that was flush around the edges, so I replaced it with a standard-sized butcher block top at a hardware store and attached it to the top. As you can see, the butcher block size worked perfectly to add seating on one side.
The “island” used to be a counter from a general store. These can be found at many vintage and antique shows. I highly encourage you to look for a vintage piece, as the cost can be very affordable.
A Quartz Topped Kitchen Island
This is our kitchen island at the beach house, and I love it. Quartz counters are undoubtedly more durable and resistant to scratches, cracks, and chips than marble and butcherblock. Most quartz also resists water damage, heat, stains, cracks, mold, and bacteria, but check with the brands you are considering about heat.
Ours is called Eurostone Calcutta Gold and is designed after stunning Italian marble, combining thin grey and gold veining.
You can learn more about this quartz and order it from Mission Tile West Kitchen and Bath. Mission Tile West is local and owned by friends of mine. They have impeccable service and great prices.
A Butcher Block Kitchen Island
I prefer kitchens with a variety of surfaces. And since I cook so much, having a butcher block island top is the best.
But don’t laugh at me. I still use a cutting board most of the time on our island. That means I put a cutting board on top of our butcher block! Our island is twenty-five years old, and it looks great. But that is because I have used a cutting board too!
To care for a butcher block island, you can clean it and use a conditioner and cutting block oil. This is the safest conditioner and will rejuvenate and revitalize cutting boards. It’s also food-safe, which is important!
Kitchen Island Colors
As much as I love a white kitchen island, I think mixing up your kitchen island colors is fun. If you have an all-white kitchen, why not try a different color on the island?
I get asked all the time about the color of our island in our Waco kitchen. It’s kind of odd, but the island’s color changes with the light. It can look blue, aqua, or gray!
I am pretty sure the color is vintage,, too. I wish I knew the color name of it so I could share it with all of you.
There are so many excellent kitchen island colors. Have some fun with your choice because the paint can always be changed.
Counter Stools for a Kitchen Island
I love the seating at our islands, and counter stools are essential. Be sure to measure the height of your island before you order any stools. You likely will want counter height, but make sure.
You must decide if you want backs to the stools, a swivel, all wood, or fabric.
The stools below, which we have had for many years, are from Lamps Plus.
The new stools below are from Serena and Lilly Outlet, and they are fabulous! I love the rattan weave and the cushions. They are also so comfortable!
And I do love them since we have them at the beach and at our home in South Pasadena.
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Kitchen Island Lighting Ideas
Pendants over an island are essential because they provide extra light over the island. These lights are from Lamps Plus.
As you can see, my tastes are similar, and I love this pendant style, which is in our Waco house kitchen.
I found this Lise Chandelier in Antique Bronze lights on Amazon for the beach house and knew they were perfect immediately. They are reasonably priced, and I love the white and brass combination.
Kitchen Island Decor
I like to have some decor on our island at all times. Here is an excellent sampling of ideas for adding decor to your kitchen island.
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Ways to Use Your Kitchen Island
Food Prep
We all use our islands for food prep. I hardly ever prepare recipes anywhere else in our kitchen!
Dine at Your Island
We love to dine on our island. I love it when the boys are home, and they sit on the island for a quick meal. It’s a fun place to gather and chat while I prepare dinner.
Set a Buffet on the Island
With the hearty appetites of our family’s tall boys, I usually serve our dinners buffet style. I like giving everyone in the family the opportunity to serve themselves so they can select exactly what they want.
I always set the buffet on the island, which is conveniently located between our family room and dining room tables.
My Kitchen Favorites Right Now
Freshen Up Your Kitchen Decor For Spring!
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Dear Leslie,
I have a large kitchen island with sink. I’m in constant battle with where to keep the paper towel holder!!! It takes up so much room and blocks the sight line. I could move it behind me where the stove is but then I am dealing with dripping hands everywhere… Any other suggestions other than not using them at all? Also, what is the light/pale green color you used in your white kitchen on the walls.. Your home are so very beautiful…. Best, Kelly
Hmmm it is hard to give a good suggestion because I can’t really picture it. But I do think keeping it close would be best as to not have mess on the floors that you constantly have to clean!
Kelly, one option is to use the space where a top drawer would be. .Make the height and width suitable for size of roll. Make a pull out configuration with side brackets to hold a dowel for the roll to spinning. When you pull it out, you can store extras rolls behind it. But you’re able to access the in use roll without pulling it out.
I love BOTH of your kitchen islands!
We recently built a new small home, and changed the kitchen plans peninsula to an island. It made all the difference in the world to the flow of the kitchen! The peninsula made the kitchen countertops U-shaped, so there was a little bit of a dead end in the kitchen. The island opens it up so much more, and having that extra access, makes it so much easier for a second person working in the kitchen, as well.
I asked my builder if he thought islands were a phase (thinking of eventual resale), and he said no. He said people have discovered the flexibility of islands, they are around to stay!
Great post today, thank you.
Thanks so much Shelley! It really does make a huge difference. I agree with him! Thanks so much for sharing and being here 🙏
I keep my paper towels underneath kitchen sink built into the island. Get a holder that sits upright, so convenient. I too have a white quartz island with Serena & Lily white rattan counter chairs. I think all 3 of your islands are very relatable to anyone thinking of changing to a kitchen island.
Your homes are all beautiful and you have such inspiring ideas! I love my kitchen island! My dad built it for me several years ago after much begging on my part. He has since passed away and I cherish my island even more. It is made of white headboard with pretty architectural details and black granite top. We use it for all of the things you described. I love seeing all of the ways you style yours … and all of your baked goodies!
Hi Kathy! Thank you so much ☺️ Oh how special is that- it sounds beautiful, thank you so much for sharing.
Hi Leslie, I just love your Kitchen Block Island. I would love to have something like that in my 90 year Farmhouse I just purchased in Oklahoma. How could I go about looking for
something like that. Glad I found you!
Hi Leslie – I’ve followed you for years; you’ve added wonderful flair to many of our holidays and seasons (starting with Iron Orchid stenciled cookies, then the tomato stands, etc etc and most recently the carrots lining the vase w/daffodils, then tulips in the center!! I am curious about your cane-backed bar seats shown in this post … do you sell these or would you be willing to share your source? We’ve recently renovated a 1905 farmhouse named “Mizpah” in the Virginia Blue Ridge near Charlottesville. We’ll soon post a website, right now we can be found on AirBnB as “Mizpah Farm” in Roseland, Virginia.
she left all her sources in the post – the seats were Serena & Lily.
Lots of good info.
We want to add can lights to our kitchen?
How do you determine the spacing, size, distance away from counter topd, etc?
Leslie, you have lovely posts and pictures. One suggestion I would offer re your Waco island. Currently the wood top pieces are held together by glue and possible dowels or biscuit pieces (wood). If someone put much downward pressure on the island overhang, it wouldn’t be hard to snap it off, rather life a piece of glass can be. It would protect it more to add 2 to 4 decorative but functional supports under that part, depending on seating pieces being used. Wood or metal would work well.
Link to your new stools receives an “Oops”