55 Beautiful Kitchen Island Ideas with Layouts, Size Tips & More

In our home, the kitchen island is the heart of our kitchen.  It’s where we gather for buffet-style family dinners, work on our laptops, connect with friends over a cup of coffee, and celebrate all the big and little moments. 

So whether you’re planning a simple kitchen refresh or a complete makeover, today I’m sharing advice for designing the perfect kitchen island for your home. 

You’ll find tips for choosing the right kitchen island size and height, kitchen island lighting options, bar stool tips, kitchen island cabinet ideas, and images of kitchen layouts with an island.

Studio McGee – cane counter stools – pendant lights

Kitchen Island Cabinets Design, Lighting, Size, and Countertops

Kitchen island size tips

For maximum function and beauty, the size of the island should be in proportion to the size of your kitchen.  For larger kitchens or a kitchen layout with extra space, you might want to consider incorporating one big island — or even two smaller islands.

For a small island design, the minimum size would be 2 feet wide by 4 feet long. If your kitchen isn’t big enough to accommodate a small kitchen island, portable kitchen islands are a great way to add functionality and work space to small kitchens. 

Here are a few freestanding kitchen islands and islands on wheels to add style, storage and prep space to a small space:

Portable Kitchen Island Ideas:

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To maximize your space, most kitchen designers recommend allowing at least 4 feet from the edge of the perimeter counters to the island’s edge to provide enough room for moving around and easy access for opening the dishwasher. 

To give you an idea of what size and shape of island or breakfast bar would work best in your kitchen, I recommend using painter’s tape on the floor to help you visualize different sizes and configurations to optimize the traffic flow through your kitchen and any adjacent spaces.

For kitchen islands with seating, it’s a good idea to allow at least 10 inches of counter overhang to provide enough space for comfortable seating as well as dining room.

Kitchen island lighting

When planning your kitchen design or renovation, make sure to include adequate lighting over the island for tasks and ambience, remembering that some light fixtures (especially metal cone and dome type fixtures) will only direct light downward and not outward. 

Kitchen Island Lighting Ideas:

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See my post Kitchen Island Pendant Lighting Ideas for how high to hang lighting over your kitchen island.

Height for bar stools or counter stools

Most stock cabinets, as well as custom kitchen islands, are 36 inches from the floor to the top of the counter, but if you prefer high bar stool seating, rather than counter stools, you might want to go to 42 inches high.

Kitchen Island Bar Stool and Counter Stool Ideas:

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See my post on Choosing the Right Counter Stools and Barstools for Your Kitchen for more tips.

Kitchen island countertops

If you plan to use your island for food preparation, work, dining, or craft projects, you will want to consider counter space as well. In addition, for the perfect island, choose a durable, stain- and heat-resistant surface like quartz, quartzite, or porcelain.

The island top is also a great way to incorporate a wood butcher block countertop in your kitchen space.

Kitchen island base cabinets, additions and extras

You might want to include a base cabinet microwave drawer, a prep sink, a wine fridge, corbels, or open shelving for cookbooks and extra storage.

Kitchen Island Cabinet Design and Layout Ideas

Whether you’re planning a full kitchen remodel or renovation, want to make your existing kitchen island cabinets design more functional, or would simply like to update your existing kitchen space with new lighting, rugs, or barstools, below you’ll find some of the best kitchen island ideas, including curved islands, open shelves, color palettes, details and trim work, kitchen layouts with an island, seating configurations, and more.

Here’s an oversized kitchen island, with abundant island seating, storage, and workspace, eliminates the need for a separate kitchen table.  From The Life Styled Co. –  counter stool source – similar options here, here and here.

I love this kitchen layout from Jean Stoffer Interior Design – the curved countertop provides a focal point!  Here is a source for those beautiful pendant lights.

Kitchen island cabinets can also incorporate open shelving and island seating.  From Whittney Parkinson Design.

The great thing about this large kitchen island cabinets design is the abundant seating, as well as extra storage space and room for food preparation.  From Pure Salt Interiors.

 

The Shaker Kitchen Company

 

AGK Design Studio – island color is Sherwin Williams Smoky Candle, SW 8633

Love this beautiful kitchen design featuring a large kitchen island with abundant storage and stylish modern bar stools.  From Pure Salt Interior Design.

 

Erin Kestenbaum – cabinet and island color is Harbor by Cliq Studios

 

Studio McGee

 

Life on Virginia Street – kitchen island cabinet color is Providence Blue (we have the same light fixture in our kitchen)

 

Bryan and Sarah Baeumler – light fixtures

 

Vivir Design, via Instagram – light fixtures

 

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Studio McGee

 

Pure Salt Interiors – counter stools

 

Whittney Parkinson Design – light fixtures

 

Ali Henrie Design – pendant lights – similar rug

 

Studio McGee – counter stools

 

Rehabitat Interiors

 

Style by Emily Henderson – kitchen island cabinets are Pewter Green by Sherwin Williams

 

Pure Salt Interiors – Seaside Abode Project

 

This beautiful kitchen island would be a great place to gather. I love those pendant lights!  From Studio McGee.

 

Amber Interior Design

This large kitchen features double kitchen islands with plenty of space for prep work. From M Elle Design.

A light and airy modern kitchen layout from Pure Salt Interiors:

Pure Salt Interiors

 

Anthology Interiors

A lovely modern kitchen design with woven light fixtures from The Life Styled Co. 

Here’s another view of the kitchen island layout and overall kitchen design, showing the waterfall countertop.  From The Life Styled Co.

A unique kitchen island cabinets design and layout from Tribe Design Group.

A lovely two-toned kitchen with a dark island and white cabinets and pendant lights from Studio McGee.

A beautiful modern coastal kitchen with striking pendant lights and woven counter stools on two sides of the kitchen island.  From Salt Design Company.

Love the contrast of the dark island and light cabinets in this beautiful design from Kate Lester Interiors.

A beautiful classic kitchen design with added storage in the kitchen island cabinets.  From Livingston Interiors – (featuring my favorite counter stools):

A beautiful modern kitchen design with a waterfall countertop on the island.  From Studio McGee.

An elegant California kitchen with classic white kitchen island cabinets and lovely woven counter stools.  Design by Kelly Nutt Design. 

A light-filled kitchen with shiplap detail on the island and striking brass pendant lights, from Bria Hammel Interiors.

I love the inset cabinets on the left-hand side of this beautiful island from Pure Salt Interiors.

pendant lights | woven counter stools

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An extra-long kitchen island layout with amazing pendant lights.  Design by Kate Marker Interiors.

Warm woods and lovely coastal-inspired kitchen island lights enhance this beautiful kitchen design from Park and Oak Interior Design.

Here’s another view of the beautiful Park and Oak kitchen island cabinets design shown above.

I love the kitchen island lighting, counter stools, and layout in this beautiful kitchen design from Studio McGee and Erin Hansen for Christine Andrew.  Photo by Lucy Call.

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Beautiful black kitchen island cabinets enhance this wonderful design from The House of Silver Lining.

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Rattan counter stools provide comfortable island seating in this beautiful kitchen from Lindye Galloway Interiors.

Love this elegant and efficient kitchen island cabinets design from Susana Simonpietri of Chango & Co., via Architectural Digest.

I love the deep countertop and lower storage solution in this beautiful blue kitchen island from Amber Interior Design.

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A beautiful modern farmhouse kitchen with shiplap detail on the island cabinets, black countertops and woven counter stools.  From Two Hawks Designs.

Love the open shelving at the end of the island, as well as the pendant lights, in this wonderful kitchen by Studio McGee.

Unique shelving enhances this beautiful kitchen island from Sam Sacks, via House and Home.

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Love the black waterfall countertop and kitchen island lights in this kitchen design from Millworks.

This beautiful design, with its blue kitchen island cabinets and double island layout, inspired our kitchen remodel – from Hibou Design & Company.

Love the warm wood island and glass and brass pendant lights in this kitchen design from Rita Chan Interiors.

Love the rug, the lighting, the light wood kitchen island cabinets, the grey cabinets, and the beams.  From Kate Marker Interiors, via Becki Owens.

A beautiful timeless kitchen with an amazing view, from Marianne Simon Design.

An amazing light-filled kitchen layout with island and dining space from The Grove Byron Bay.

Gorgeous warm wood cabinetry enhances this modern kitchen layout from Mowery Marsh Architects.

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A kitchen island brings functionality and beauty to the heart of the home that will never go out of style.

I know we spend more time at our kitchen island than just about anywhere else in our home, so I hope this post gave you some ideas for your own dream kitchen. Let me know if you have any questions! xo Jane

For more design inspiration, kitchen layouts with an island, and kitchen lighting and decor, here are a few favorite related posts from the blog:

A Simple Guide to Standard Kitchen Cabinet Dimensions

Beautiful Kitchen Island Lighting Ideas

Beautiful Kitchen Design Ideas to Inspire Your Next Renovation

Where to Find Affordable Vintage Turkish Oushak Runners for the Kitchen

How to Choose the Best Kitchen Counter Stools for Your Space

Beautiful Kitchen Backsplash Ideas: Perfect for White Kitchens and More

Sunny Breakfast Nook Ideas for Casual Kitchen Dining

Our Kitchen Remodel, With Cabinet Painting Cost and Sources

Modern Coastal Decorating Ideas for Your Home

Favorite Spaces of the Week: Pure Salt Interiors

How to Add a Touch of Nancy Meyers Style to Your Kitchen and Home

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