Is it a kitchen island or a piece of furniture? We’re taking a closer look at these stunning designs that have us swooning over them…
The barstool-free kitchen island is a personal favourite of mine, which I’ve been an admirer of for a while now, especially when it also looks like a piece of furniture. If you have an open-plan space where there’s enough room for a casual dining zone, there’s really no need to incorporate seating on your island.
“It’s not always a given that island seating should be squeezed in if it’s not appropriate, needed or even wanted. However, if you’re not going to include seating on yours, remember to think about other dining alternatives,” says Alan Ramm, creative director at Bakehouse Kitchens.
This striking wood island is equipped with ample storage. Kitchen by Herringbone House. Kitchens start from £35,000.
If you struggle with clutter, perhaps making your island look more like a chest of drawers – or simply incorporating a freestanding design – with copious amounts of storage would be the best solution for your layout.
Kira Blume, senior designer at Krantz Designs, shares my admiration for this look: “A freestanding island is a timeless piece of furniture, perfect for period property renovations. It resonates deeply with the charm of old London homes – a frequent favourite among our London-based clients.”
We predict you’ll be spotting more and more of this look as homeowners strive to have that ‘living kitchen’ feel. To get your moodboard going, we’ve gathered some of our favourite designs – scroll down to see just what’s possible…
Inspiration gallery
This open-plan kitchen offers the best of both worlds – a stunning centrepiece island with plenty of storage space and an adjacent, practical dining area. Design by Krantz Designs. Photography: Paul Craig.This furniture-style island includes an extractor hob and worktop space for preparing meals. Shaker kitchen, from £45,000, John Lewis of Hungerford.The position of this bespoke island allows views of the garden while preparing meals. The Butler collection in Azurite, from £25,000, Tom Howley.PAD designed the island using its Elgin cabinetry range from their St John’s Wood collection that was painted in a deep ocean colour, that would be raised off the floor, so it looks more like a piece of freestanding furniture. Bespoke kitchens from PAD from £20,000. Photography: Chris Snook.If you’re in need of storage space, consider making your island look more like a chest of drawers. Nina Campbell Rivage Ivory tiles, £84.80 per sq m, and La Moulade Chocolate tiles, £86.75 per sq m; cabinets painted in China Clay, £51.50 for 2.5 litres. All Fired Earth.This freestanding island is painted in Paint & Paper Library’s Masai and stands out against the sky-blue cabinetry. Kitchen by Thomas Davies Kitchens. Photography: Christina Bull.Achieve a seamless look in your kitchen by matching your island to your cabinetry. Hobb House by Delve Architects. Photography: Chris Snook.Make a statement in your kitchen with a pretty and practical block-style island. Linear kitchen, price on application, Harvey Jones.If you’ve got an open-plan space, say goodbye to island bar stools and opt for a cook’s table-style design with storage and built-in appliances. Camberwell kitchen, price on application, Naked Kitchens.
