Beautiful and Practical Kitchen Islands

Kitchen islands are a great way to optimize space. As well as being super practical, they can totally change the look of your kitchen, giving it a functional and modern feel.

These islands usually have a dual purpose. On the one hand, they serve as fantastic decorative elements. On the other, they can provide you with a few extra inches of work space, and allow you to incorporate ingenious space-saving solutions into your kitchen.

They can also help to separate different areas in the home, breaking up large rooms, or serving as a divider in an open-plan living room and kitchen.

If you’re thinking about incorporating a kitchen island into your home, there are several different aspects you’ll need to consider. That way, you can make sure your island is a help rather than a hindrance.

Types of kitchen island

First, let’s start off by finding your ideal kitchen island. To do this, you’ll need to think about the size and shape of your kitchen, and work out which option best suits your needs.

Central kitchen island

If you’ve got plenty of extra room, central islands are a great option, and open up a whole array of possibilities. Installing a central island will not only give you a handy office space, but also additional storage space. Your island could also double as a breakfast bar, without you having to give up single inch of work surface.

Wall-island

If, on the other hand, your kitchen is a little on the small side, you could leave one small section of wall bare, and use it to install a breakfast bar. You could even choose a fold-away bar so that it doesn’t take up any space when it’s not needed.

Kitchen islands – space dividers

If you have an open-plan kitchen, placing an island between the kitchen and living room is a great way to decorate and separate these spaces. If you live in an apartment, you could even use your kitchen island as a dining area. You’ll find a range of different options to suit every style.

Integrated kitchen islands

In this case, you can use a pillar, or even part of your existing counters as a support for your kitchen island. An L-shaped design like the one above is really versatile and has bags of potential. It’ll give you the perfect place to work, eat, or a spot where your guests can hang out while you prepare dinner.

Things to consider

Once you’ve decided which type of kitchen island you want, there are some aspects you’ll need to keep in mind to make sure it lives up to your expectations.

Size and layout

If you’re going to install a small kitchen island, place it close to the wall, as it only needs a minimal amount of support to give it stability. These are perfect if you want an island that can divide up your space, without being too difficult to install.

However, if you choose a wider, more robust central island, try to make the very most of it, and use it as additional storage space. This is a great way to kill two birds with one stone.

Color and materials

Color is a great way to give your kitchen islands a sense of character. These beautiful elements convey a sense of style and personality, so it’s important to make sure they stand. They’re not meant to go unnoticed – they’re the star of the show.

Kitchen islands with lighting

To really make the most of your kitchen island, make sure it’s well lit. It’ll be no good to anyone if it’s always in semi-darkness. You could either buy one large central light or install a series of spotlights to illuminate every inch of your countertops.

Install a kitchen island, and you’ll have a piece of furniture that’s both decorative, and ultra-practical. Kitchen islands are a great alternative for modern homes, allowing you to take advantage of every inch of space, and create the perfect breakfast bar to get your day off to a great start.