Kitchen island shapes and ideas: stunning designs you need to see
Posted on 6th October 2021
Hands up, whose dream kitchen includes a kitchen island, or THE kitchen island I should say, as so many of the homeowners I speak to or read about in Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine (our sister brand) have one right at the top of their kitchen wishlist – often alongside a boiling-water tap, good links to the garden and lots of space for the family. And I have to admit, that’s a good formula for a dreamy kitchen, right? I have Pinterest boards, Instagram collections and a whole host of screenshots saved of kitchens I like – and so many of them include different kitchen island shapes and ideas.
So, for even morekitchen island shapes and inspo, I’ve delved into the latest designs from a whole host of kitchen specialists and oh what a treat. Let’s have a look shall we? Screenshot buttons at the ready…
The circular shape in this scheme by Jones Britain was inspired by the form of a shell and creates a stunning focal point, while the plush banquette seating can comfortably sit six people. This project cost around £70,000
U-shaped island with an integrated banquette from Sola Kitchens.
A two-tier island design is ideal for families with young children where a breakfast bar isn’t the preferred option, and it looks great too. This design by Mereway Kitchens features the Futura range on the island, and the new Cambridge collection in Indigo Blue. Mereway kitchens start at £14,000.
Wood panelling isn’t only for living spaces and bedrooms – it can help your scheme blend into your open-plan kitchen-diner. A pull-out larder, storage, appliances and sink are concealed behind this Atlante walnut panelling from L’Ottocento. The kitchen shown costs around £72,745 (€80,000).
Cullifords’ Concrete Quartz worktop, from £350 per sq m, has a rough texture, so is a good fit if you’re looking for a more industrial design. It can be made to have a thick edge by crafting a mitred downstand to look like a monolithic block – such as in this impressive island unit, with a 30mm worktop and 30mm downstand.
Kitchen Architecture used Bulthaup’s b3 base units in Graphite with Carrara marble worktop; the tall unit and bar are in black brown oak. Images and interior design by Roselind Wilson. Prices start from £50,000.
Siematic’s L-shaped Urban kitchen has a space for fresh potted herbs, plus seating located at a lover-level breakfast bar – a safe distance from the hob. Siematic kitchens start from £25,000.
Instead of a breakfast bar, why not think about adding a bench table to an island, like this one by Rotpunkt in New City Nature Oak? It has a simple Scandi vibe, and works beautifully when teamed with sleek white New Class Furniture in Snow Gloss, which is priced at around £15,000.
This kitchen island by Naked Kitchens is designed to look like freestanding furniture. The legs help create a more ‘lived in’ look and also make the kitchen seem more spacious.An island with a cutaway corner creates the perfect spot for a pedestal dining table in this Leicht scheme by Vogue Kitchens.This Ledbury Studio kitchen island features zinc doors and a Quartzite worktop in Bianca Macaubas from The Metallics Collection by Charlie Smallbone.Forget boxy islands, this modernist design is made in the UK by Wood & Wire. It is made from from birch plywood with a Corian worktop and shelving to one side. Ideal for cookbooks.
Oh and if you are thinking about a kitchen island, make sure you remember these things – the last thing you want is an island that’s too small, so is useless, or a one that’s too big and makes the rest of the kitchen useless. I know kitchens come in all shapes and sizes, so ensuring you won’t compromise your room is essential.
Think about what you’ll put on the island – do you want to cook there, have the sink there or have it clear?
Consider seating. Do you want seating on your island? If so, do you want bar stools at a tall breakfast bar? Or do you want a lower table with dining seating attached – a multi-level design? How many people will be seated?
Make sure there is enough space. Is there space around the island for seating to be pulled out and people to easily walk behind? Can you open drawers and appliances (such as a dishwasher) and still get around it? A good rule is to allow 1.5m clearance between the island and any other units of furniture. That’s all the way around.
What shape will work? You can get an island in many shapes, including curved options. L-shape can offer a good amount of seating, U-shape will provide a theatre-like cooking area with lots of prep space, while a box (square or rectangular) is the most basic design and can offer lots of storage and some seating, depending on whether you add a breakfast bar.
Think about multi-functional living. Can your island also be a place for home working or study? Add a desk area and plenty of plug sockets and you’ll be set up for your next Zoom call in no time.
Consider flexibility. If your space is smaller or you need extra worktop space that you can move around, a butcher’s block trolley which is on wheels can offer a good solution. You’ll have the option of using it as an island set-up and can push it out of the way when required.
This kitchen island by Charles Yorke combines painted furniture with accents of Santos rosewood veneer and Corian work surfaces. Its curved shape makes it a lovely feature.The U-shaped island in this Mereway Kitchens’ Q-Line design as part of the Cucina Colore collection offers so much useable space, there’s room for appliances, a sink, preparation area as well as seating.A neat peninsular island includes seating and storage plus extra work surface in this Kesseler design.This island was designed for relaxing and dining. Overhangs on each end of the unit create two comfortable dining zones. Design by Life Kitchens.This island’s timeless design fuses the owners’ love for cooking and entertaining all with a touch of elegance. Soft touches of pink add a playful touch. Design: British Standard by Plain English.A spacious sink, neat storage and comfy perch for two make this Neptune island a multi-tasking gem.This Marlborough table island by Masterclass Kitchens is painted in Mulberry and can be used for food preparation or cosy dining. I love how the tiles mimic a rug.
Painted in Farrow & Ball’s Downpipe, this expansive island by Mowlem & Co is truly multi-functional and boasts a semi-cantilevered breakfast bar, a wet zone, and some deep drawers and cupboards that offer a wealth of extra storage space. Mowlem & Co kitchens start at £30,000.
A design trick to soften the look of an island so that it blends in with the living area is to mix in some shelving on the side facing the rest of the room. This creates handy storage for cookery books as well as a display niche to showcase your favourite pieces. Alno by Halcyon kitchens start at £30,000.
This scheme with Crown Imperial’s Alumina Copper kitchen island unit has a rich metallic finish that matches the splashback, and creates a striking centrepiece when used alongside moody Zeluso Black. The Alumina range also comes in Aluminium, Bronze and Silver finishes, and prices start at £10,000.
This is an extract of a feature which appeared in the October 2020 issue of Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine. Download your copy here.
