Fluted, reeded, and grooved kitchen islands: 15 inspiring ideas

Posted on 18th May 2023

Hands up, is a kitchen island top of your wishlist? And, if so, why not consider opting for an ornate design? Some of the most popular and versatile features at the moment are fluted, reeded, and grooved finishes.

Fluting is ideal for updating dated furniture or decorating your walls, but wait until you see the latest kitchen islands adorned with this trendy finish.

“These islands are characterised by their unique fluted design, which features vertical grooves or channels that run along the length of the island,” says Natasha Sabharwal, designer at Sheraton Interiors.

Sounds dreamy, right? Whether you’re designing a new space from scratch or long for an overdue kitchen refresh, choosing a grooved island will instantly elevate your scheme. And, as well as, enhancing your kitchen’s aesthetic, Natasha reckons fluted islands actually offer a number of practical benefits, too.

“One of the main advantages of a fluted island is that it adds texture and visual interest to the space,” she says. “The grooves in the island create a sense of depth and dimension, which can help to break up the monotony of a large, flat surface. This can be especially useful in open-plan kitchens, where the island serves as a focal point for the entire space.”

How to get the look:

Unpainted wooden grooves remain one of the go-to choices for fluted islands. “The rise in creating impact in the kitchen through well-considered visual effects is welcoming a variety of new furniture styles and finishes, with timber still topping the charts as industrial-style meshes with sustainably sourced materials,” says Matt Phillips, head of UK operations at Rotpunkt.

Wooden fluting is ideal for Scandinavian style kitchens, especially when paired with neutral cabinets, nature-inspired surfaces, and minimalist accessories. Or you could take it to the opposite spectrum with exposed materials and matt black finishes for an industrial edge.

However, adding fluted finishes to an island suits modern kitchens particularly well. “It’s a more contemporary alternative to traditional panelling such as tongue and groove, which you wouldn’t add to a contemporary scheme,” explains Rebecca Nokes, head of design and brand creative at John Lewis of Hungerford. “It’s an excellent way to add pattern, texture, and interest to your kitchen without having to go for a colour that might date or be harder to change,” she advises.

And, since we’re on the topic of colours, panelling is now available in a multitude of shades, so you are not constrained to the classic wood finish. Why not create physical moodboards with all your samples in order to find the right hue for your fluted island?

If you’re leaning towards a more elegant or glamorous kitchen style, you can still opt for a fluted island. But make sure to choose veiny surfaces for your worktops, modern tiles, and sleek appliances. For the finishing touches, add brass accents with handles and lighting, and decorate any open shelving with contemporary accessories.

To help get your creative juices flowing, we’ve compiled an inspiration gallery brimming with fluted, reeded, and grooved island ideas for any style, taste or budget.