Sofia Valentina Blog: How to decorate a kitchen island (Cool ideas and designs)

Kitchen islands are often utilized as space fillers in modern kitchens. But their nature is not just decorative, but they also play a very practical role. They can be a good way of utilizing the unused space while also providing a working surface, and a place to store kitchen utensils and food, as well as increasing the efficiency of the kitchen.

They can also act as a statement, and as the centerpiece of your kitchen. A well-designed kitchen island makes for a good focal point, one that would present the heart and soul of the kitchen. And the general audience tends to lean towards having a kitchen island in their kitchen.

In fact, according to research, more than 70% of household owners opt for a kitchen island, while more than half of the owners consider it as a must-have feature of the kitchen. So it is quite clear that kitchen islands are relatively popular, but people often don’t know how to utilize them. Don’t worry, we have gathered 60 of the best ideas as to how to decorate a kitchen island.

Here, we will see some of the trending kitchen island designs and hopefully, you will get some ideas as to how to organize it and decorate it. These will give you a sense of what’s currently in fashion. The truth is that it allows for a lot of creativity, and we will see a mixture of old and new. The great thing is that we can make them fit just about any purpose or look.

If you are looking for something contemporary and trendy, or if you lean towards something more retro and classic, we also have you covered. Here are some of the best ways of how to decorate a kitchen island for every taste.

More counter space never hurts

Image source: Fitch & Company

This design is all about functionality. They help the island become a more usable piece of your kitchen, with more counter space. This will allow you to prepare meals easier, and have more space to store your cooking applications. It will also allow multiple chefs to cook at the same time. And you can still make a nice design out of a functional island; you can, for example, use off to the already existing colors in your kitchen to create a nice, and satisfying contrast.

Espresso

Image source: Peridot Interiors LLC

If you enjoy a good espresso, then you will love this design. It is a mixture of a richly red-colored brown, and relatively dark color to create a modern and sophisticated look. For espresso lovers, this is a fantastic design as they will enjoy their morning coffee in these beautiful colors. Also, it can create a nice contrast with the rest of the kitchen.

Brass poles

Image source: Boss Design Center

This is an interesting design: brass poles were added to the corners of this island, which has a cantilevered countertop. That will create an interesting contrast. But the brass poles will go very nicely with the rest of the kitchen’s design, with the brass features complying with the overall brass design of the kitchen.

Make use of an antique

Image source: Isler Homes

If you don’t have space for a huge kitchen island, or you simply can’t afford one, then all you need to do is to have a look at your basement or attic – you might find a useful antique table there that you could use it as an island!

This is an example of an owner using an old table, which he refurbished, like an island in the kitchen. It is a good way of how to decorate a kitchen island in a very rustic way, but still not having to spend too much.

Use a tall bistro table

Image source: Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects

Similarly, you can make use of a tall bistro table as a kitchen island. This is another good option for those working on a budget. Ideally, this table should be of rectangular shape, and should have a bottom shelf to add more functionality.

Cherry

Image source: Synergy Design & Construction

The cherry color is one of the most wanted colors for kitchen islands, and you can utilize it to create a very satisfying environment that will make you feel at home. It is especially nice to have these colors in your kitchen if you already have some of these colors in the rest of the areas of your kitchen, such as wooden pieces.

Multi-level island

Image source: SV Design

Create a dynamic feel to your kitchen by adding a two-level kitchen island with two countertops, and each of them is on a different level. That will give you much more functionality and space to work with. For example, the bottom compartment could be used as a stool sitting area, while the top one can be fitted with sinks or used as a working area. Whatever your choice, this idea is one that will add some functionality to your kitchen.

Multipurpose kitchen island

Image source: Michael Robert Construction

Talking about functionality, many owners like to use their kitchen islands not just for eating or cooking, but also for doing all sorts of other things. These include doing homework, paying bills, handling various papers, and more. You can even install a junk drawer to the island where you will be able to store everything that is not related to the kitchen.

Wooden kitchen island

Image source: DesignArt Studios

This is a chunky wooden island that is fit for many purposes. It is one of the more robust choices of how to decorate a kitchen island, but also very functional. You can fit it with various appliances and features, and you can decorate it pretty neatly. For example, adding cherry-colored wood to the island to contrast the gray-green outer cabinets.

Go bold

Image source: Bath Kitchen Company

If you want to do something more creative and out of the ordinary, you can add some bold colors to the island. You can add a red-orange island to your kitchen, and fit it with blue stools to make an immediate impact. Here, the color choices are almost limitless, this is just an example of how to decorate a kitchen island boldly.

Two sinks

Image source: Superior Woodcraft, Inc.

This kitchen island is fit for many purposes. These two huge kitchen sinks will help you do all the tasks simultaneously, without compromising too much on what you can do. For example, you can prepare meals in one, while you can wash the dishes in the other one.

Contrasts

Image source: OPULENT Remodeling & Construction Inc

This is a good example of how to create visually-pleasing contrasts in your kitchen. Here, a marble countertop and industrial barstools are used to oppose the other textures and design features of the kitchen.

The kitchen island as a room divider

Image source: CJS Woodworking & Design

You can fit your kitchen island into the overall design of the kitchen, and the shape of the space. This kitchen island is put upright against the wall, and it acts as a partial wall divider. You can do that too, if you have a similar design. You can easily divide two rooms with it for example, but still provide a very satisfying experience.

White kitchen island with granite top

Image source: i.d. | interior design

If you want to go for something classy, then this is certainly worth considering. Nothing screams classy as white, and top it off with a nice granite top. You can add dark-colored handles to combine them with the granite top. This is a good example of how to combine elegance and tradition.

Blue

Image source: Kenowa Builders

If your preferred color is blue, then this is something for you. You can create a kitchen island with a vivid-blue color, which will make the room surprisingly more peaceful and relaxed.

Metallic symphony

Image source: Cabinet Innovations

Here is an example of how to decorate a kitchen island by mixing metals. This marble island is combined with bronze base anchors, and the handle pulls off the back drawers are gold. Everything is combined quite nicely, and it gives a feeling of sophistication.